How to properly oil wooden skis. Ski wax for wooden and plastic skis. Choice of ski wax and wax for classic skiing

Holding ointments are called special tools designed to treat the working surface of cross-country skis. Their main task is to minimize kickback (slippage), improve snow grip and provide a confident push when moving.

Only skis with a smooth surface are processed with holding ointments. Notched models are exempt from this procedure. In many ways, this is why beginners tend to give preference to options with a relief surface. At the same time, skis with notches have certain disadvantages: they hold well on “powder”, but on frozen snow and icy surfaces they lose their properties. Also, no matter how high-quality and thoughtful the notch is, it significantly worsens the rolling and sliding of the skis.

Types and features of holding ointments

Holding ointments are designed to be used within a certain temperature range. Usually they are classified into "warm" and "cold". In cases of improper selection of ointment, the driving qualities of skis deteriorate significantly. Often, especially for novice athletes who have not guessed with the right ointment, it becomes necessary to re-apply the product on the street. Therefore, it will not be superfluous for beginners to acquire a compact set and have it with them when going for a walk.

Modern manufacturers offer a variety of holding ointments: solid ones in special briquettes, liquid products in tubes (klisters), in plastic jars, disposable foil bags and express options in aerosol cans. A set of ski products should consist of at least 3-4 ointments designed for different temperatures. In addition to ointments, you will have to purchase a special cork grinding, as well as a plastic scraper.

How to apply ointment on the surface of the ski?

By means of holding, not the entire surface of the ski is processed, but only its “working” part, called the block. The pad zone is determined by a number of factors. It depends on the length of the skis, their rigidity, the weight of the athlete himself and the style of riding he prefers. For classic cross-country skiing, the surface area starting from the heel of the boot and stretching forward by 60-65 cm is treated with ointment. For skis longer than 180 cm, the length of the lubrication zone is increased to 70-75 cm. Exceeding the length of the block is fraught with a number of problems. The athlete may be faced with the fact that the quality of the roll-up on the skis will significantly deteriorate, and the ointment itself will come off much faster.

After applying the product to the working surface of the ski, it is rubbed with a special cork grinding until an even glossy layer is achieved. This algorithm is more relevant for solid ointments; with liquid klisters, the application process is a little different. The agent from the tube is squeezed onto the surface of the ski with greasy drops, after which it is evenly smeared with a plastic scraper.

Express ointments offered in aerosol cans are the most convenient and practical options. They do not need to be rubbed with a cork block or a scraper, it is enough to spray the agent on the working area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ski and the ointment itself will lie evenly on its surface. After 5-10 minutes, sports equipment is ready for departure. For a better application of the aerosol agent, the ski block must be roughened. To do this, it is lightly sanded with fine-grained sandpaper.

What to do if the skis do not hold?

Beginning athletes often face situations where, seemingly following all the requirements for applying lubricant, they cannot achieve good grip when skating. The reason for such cases, as a rule, is the wrong selection of ointment according to temperature indicators. Skis can also hold badly because the product was applied too thin or not well rubbed.

A common cause of insufficient traction is incorrect pad length. In this case, the area that is treated with ointment must be increased. The explanation for the fact that the skis do not hold may be more significant reasons, for example, the model may not be suitable for the athlete in terms of rigidity or have initial defects.

Ski wax is used to improve gliding on snow and prevent rollback during shocks. You can find many in stores different options, differing not only in composition, consistency, but also in price. However, cost is not an important criterion when choosing the best option. The main things to consider are the type of skis, the condition of the snow cover and the air temperature.

Release form

Ski ointments and paraffins can be of different textures and shapes:

• hard block;
• gel;
• spray;
• liquid;
• paste.

If the ointment is in solid form, then it should be warmed up before use. Paraffin products are suitable for amateurs, but microcrystals are used for professional purposes.

Different weather conditions require the use of different texture products. If you need a universal remedy, then it is better to purchase wax. If the temperature is below zero, then it is better to use semi-solid paraffins. In the thaw, liquid ointment will be the best solution.

The layer of ointment should be thinner if it is cold outside. In the spring, it is better not to apply the product to the entire surface of the skis, but to limit yourself to a small area.

Briko and Briko are considered the best examples for ski surface treatment. A popular option is Swix ski wax. How to apply such products is described below, and it does not take much time. However, their cost will not suit everyone. If you need to choose a high-quality, but inexpensive ointment, you can pay attention to the domestic manufacturer - Dynamo. Extensive experience and developments in the field of sporting goods brought the company to the proper level.

Application of ointments

There are ski waxes for sliding and holding. In classic riding, it is necessary to treat the front and back of the skis with slip agents. To reduce recoil, ski holding waxes are used, which are applied in the center.

The choice of means is justified by the style and method of skating. If skis are purchased in order to usefully spend the weekend, then the costs will be minimal. But with professional races, processing will be required frequent.

The minimum processing includes the following steps:

1. Cleaning the base of the skis.
2. Application of paraffins.
3. Polishing.

How to apply

To enjoy winter skiing, it is important to know how to use ski wax. Sometimes the attached instructions require too complicated actions and additional equipment. However, experienced skiers argue that the process can be simplified.

First you need to sand the block. Next, the ointment is applied in two passes:

1. Hard paraffin is applied with a hot iron.
2. After cooling, rub with a cork.

It is important to avoid applying a thick layer. Otherwise, lumps appear after rubbing. Also, when used at home, the smell may disturb, but when aired, it quickly disappears. It is important to prudently close the floors so as not to stain the coating with paraffin. Ski wax can leave a stubborn grease stain.

Sliding aids

Paraffins are very popular as slip lubricants. However, professional athletes also use additional devices: emulsions and accelerators. Such funds are spent very quickly, but they are not cheap. Therefore, if only amateur trips to the park are planned, then you can do without them. It is worth considering that, despite the fact that paraffin has an unlimited shelf life, it is better not to take it for future use. Depending on the conditions, another option may be needed.

If the air is dry and the humidity is less than 50%, then classic paraffins will do. With high humidity and thaw, it is better to use fluorinated ones. In this case, the choice of funds is unlimited. Can be replaced with an emulsion, gel or spray. They are fairly easy to apply. It is enough to spray them or use the applicator. After that, the skis are dried, warmed up with a hair dryer and polished. This method takes little time, but the ointments are consumed quickly.

Ski holding

These products are available in liquid and solid form. The holding ointment performs the following functions:

1. Allows the skier to push off. In this case, under the middle part of the ski, increased pressure is formed, and the ointment adheres to the snow.
2. Does not slow down sliding. As you move, the pressure decreases.

Amateur riding does not require complex application. Ski wax must be suitable for the weather conditions. In the case of budget options, you should choose a temperature range 3-4 degrees lower than expected on the street. If the weather is lower and the skis are slowing down, then a product with a lower indicator should be applied on top. If the coating is excessively slippery, then an ointment designed for low temperatures is required.

A skier should stock up on 3-4 jars of ointment. Temperature range - from +3 to -15. Before applying a new layer, it is recommended to remove the remains of the old one. For this, special washes are provided.

Solid and liquid ointments

Ski ointment, supplied in a liquid state, is called a clyster. It is applied on both sides of the groove in a thin layer. Then it is necessary to evenly distribute with a thin scraper. Clyster can be used at sub-zero and plus temperatures. However, it should be noted that the tool stains the case. Therefore, before going outside, skis should be wrapped in a plastic bag. After riding, the ointment begins to drain. It must be removed with a scraper.

At sub-zero temperatures, it is better to use ointments in solid form. But when using them, the following troubles may appear:

1. Podlip. Snow sticking occurs if the outside temperature is above zero.
2. Icing. Ice crystals freeze on skis. The situation arises if weather conditions portend a thaw.
3. Excessive braking. If the condition of the snow cover differs on the main track and the normal track, then poor gliding is possible.

Preparing plastic skis

There are many different products available for wood surface treatment. Ski wax for plastic skis also released. But the main tool is paraffin. Their role is different:

1. Sliding lubricant - paraffin.
2. Means of holding - ski ointment.

Notched plastic skis only require glide wax. However, holding means can be added under the last. Paraffins and ointments are selected depending on the temperature range.

How to apply ski wax on plastic skis:

1. Dry and clean the surface.
2. Paraffin is rubbed with vigorous movements using a cork or a special iron. Be especially careful not to burn the ski.
3. Excess is removed with a scraper.
4. The surface is rubbed with a sponge.

The holding ointment is applied under the block, and the skis are taken out into the street to harden. Only then can they be used.

Required Tools

Any professional skier has a number of products for the care of sports equipment. It is not necessary for an amateur athlete to have a whole arsenal, but it is desirable to have basic tools. If the skis are made of plastic, then you need to purchase a special iron, scraper, paraffin and nylon brush.

If skiing attracts and it is planned to go skiing regularly, then the following equipment should be purchased:

1. Plastic scraper. Needed to remove excess paraffin. It is better to choose rounded. It cleans the grooves better.
2. Nylon brush. Required for hot paraffin application.
3. Fiberlen. It is used as a material for finishing polishing.
4. Sandpaper. It will be needed for sanding wooden skis so that the ointments hold better.
5. Metal brush. Useful only for professionals to remove the old structure. Fans don't need to buy.
6. Wash. Used to remove old funds. Recommended for purchase, even if skis are rarely used.
7. Rubbing cork. Designed for leveling ointments. Cork is used with paraffins, and plastic is used with ointments.

In addition to special tools, skiers cannot do without accessories. In order not to stain clothes with ointments, it is better to carry them in a case.

Required kit

Depending on the level of training and the frequency of skiing, each skier should have a certain set of ointments. For walks in a park or forest, it is enough to assemble a minimum set. You will need holding ointments, a scraper and a wash. It is enough to purchase 3-4 jars of the product, which vary in temperature.

For full ski care with regular use, you will need an extended kit. At the same time, you can even take part in competitions and use skis in any weather without losing glide. Should be purchased:

1. 4-5 jars of ointments.
2. A set of various paraffins.
3. Ski iron.
4. Wash.
5. Scraper.
6. brush.

For professional purposes, it is required to supplement the kit with holding ointments with fluoride, accelerators, knurling, emulsions and sprays.

Conclusion

Skiing is quite a popular phenomenon. Professional athletes have specially trained people on their staff who prepare skis for competitions. Fans have to take care of sports equipment themselves. In order for the skis to glide better and walks give real pleasure, it is necessary to use special ointments and paraffins. Their use is not difficult, but significantly increases the patency. When choosing, it is worth considering the material of manufacture of skis and the recommended temperature range.

Do not purchase funds in reserve. The necessary set consists of 3-4 jars. Be sure to buy a scraper and a wash.

I haven’t skied for a long time, it will definitely be 15 years, and maybe more from the moment when I last tried to ski on old wooden skis from a small hill in the yard. I also remember riding in the park during physical education classes, and after the house I diligently rubbed the surface of the ski with a candle for better glide.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since that time, but a miracle happened, about which I will probably write a separate article, and I got back on skis. I think the story is classic, I bought a set of ski equipment for the classics and at the end I asked the seller about the ointment, as I read it as always before buying and ointments were mentioned everywhere, the seller said you can do without it ...

A new day has come and I was impatient to try new skis in action, got ready and went to the ski track with anticipation of the pleasure of skiing and outdoor recreation. In fact, it turned out that I suffered for 40 minutes, got disappointed and went home, mentally encouraging myself that the ointment would correct the situation, which this article will be about.

Before buying, as always, I do this, I read on the Internet everything that could be read about how to choose skis correctly, but ointments are usually given little attention in articles on the choice of skis and this is very sad.

A lot of people are now skiing, parks and country ski slopes are all saturated with skiers, and parking lots are full of cars, some arrive, others leave, others change clothes, while others stand with thermoses and drink hot tea with cookies. Accordingly, every season, thousands of people are faced with the question of choosing skis, equipment, and about holding ointment. didn't hear at all.

On the one hand, this is true, because plastic modern skis Very good glide and really do not need lubrication for amateur walks. But there is one big “but”, because we are talking about the sliding of plastic, but there is a holding ointment, i.e. you can say braking, what it is, why it is, that's what we'll talk about.

A funny reality of reality, most of us do not know how certain mechanisms are arranged, how processes work, including most of the population do not know how is the movement on classic skis Oh. When skating, you can guess both from the name itself, and simply by observing the technique and understanding the principle of repulsion if you have skated or skated before, but skiers who slowly slide along the ski track holding sticks in their hands look like they are just they rearrange their legs and slide, hence the question arises, why then the holding ointment, which will slow down the skis and they will stop going.

Why do you need ski hold ointment

Indeed, why smear the skis with an ointment that does not allow the surface to slide, if our parents and we all our childhood smeared the entire surface with paraffin for better glide?

The answer to this question lies in the technique of skiing with a classic move. Modern plastic skis have a curved shape and if you put them on a flat surface, we will see that the crap touches the surface, only in places close to the edges, and the middle is raised high. The middle or area that the skier's weight presses on while riding is called the last. With correctly selected skis, the area of ​​​​the block is in contact with the ski track, only at the moment of pushing with the foot. To continue the thought further, I will make a brief footnote of how we actually ski.

How does the movement occur during the classic skiing

It is very clear to understand the technique of movement and its physics, if you imagine a rapidly accelerating skier no sticks. When skiing in the parks, I see a lot of people who simply rearrange their legs and push off with sticks, most likely they do not understand the technique of skiing. It is necessary to understand the simple rule that the movement occurs due to the alternating repulsion and subsequent removal of weight from the ski and sliding by inertia.

The arched area of ​​​​the pad is designed to allow the applied on it holding ointment did not slow down the movement during the removal of the pushing force from the ski. At the moment of kick, most of the athlete switches to one ski, bends the block and the ski touches the ski track with its entire surface, ointment keeps the ski from kicking back during the push.

So we see that the grip wax allows you to push forward without the ski slipping backwards.

Choosing a grip wax for plastic skis

I hope that now you have a better understanding of how the classic move works. On that day, when, after the purchase, I rather hurried to the park on the ski track, I just didn’t know the technique of movement and its physics, and 40 minutes of torment consisted in the fact that I was driving off only with sticks, when I tried to push off with the ski, I received feedback, slippage and didn’t move, and minimal climbs turned into insurmountable obstacles, I think it looked funny from the outside ...

There are a lot of different holding ointments in stores, both in consistency (liquid and thick ointments), as well as in use temperatures, the latter disappointed me completely, since I ride as an amateur, the weather is constantly changing constantly in terms of temperature, so the prospect of having several different ointments with the need to apply every time the temperature changes, depressing.

And so I saw universal holding ointment, not a thick ointment, but in a convenient bottle with a sponge at the end with a declared use temperature from +0 to minus 20 degrees Celsius. I decided to take a chance, the amount is small and I bought it, but in my opinion it is better than buying several different ointments, but how will it show itself on the track?

I sanded the pad area with very fine sandpaper and began to apply holding ointment, this is done only in a warm room, since at low temperatures the liquid ointment becomes very thick and it will be unrealistic to apply it from a tube. Therefore, it is best to put it on the battery, heat it up, and then slowly apply it to the pad area, preferably in several layers.

I smeared the skis with holding ointment and went to the pine forest, I didn’t know if there would be a ski track, but knowing how beautiful and big it was, I really hoped for it.

My hopes were not in vain, a fabulously beautiful winter forest and many kilometers of ski tracks were waiting for me, where you can easily get lost and, most importantly, there were no people. That is why I bought skis for classic skiing, and not a snowboard as I wanted for a very long time, I will probably write a separate article about what to choose better snowboard or skiing, this question is asked by many before each season and it seems to me that I have found the answer to it, but more on that in another article.

Skis went or my review of holding ointment

Skis go! I was finally able to fully push off with my feet, first of all, in order to hone the technique, I just took the sticks in one hand and rode without them, it turned out to go almost at the same speed as with sticks, i.e. all movement was achieved by repulsion from a slippery track.

How good is an all-purpose holding wax compared to fixed temperature waxes? You need to understand that everything is universal Always inferior in capabilities to narrowly focused, special ointments, the same rule works essentially everywhere. But, if you are an amateur and skiing leisurely for pleasure, then it is better to stop your choice on universal ointments, you already have to choose thick or liquid ones, I decided not to bother and it is very convenient for me to apply ointment from the bottle at home without getting my hands dirty.

In any case, if your skis are without notches, you will need a holding ointment. If you ski only in certain weather, you can take the ointment at a fixed temperature of -2 ... -5, this temperature is considered the best for classic skiing.

A couple of months have already passed, I repeatedly applied the ointment over the old one, removing only adhering leaves and branches. Wash off the old ointment before applying a new one in my opinion impractical unless you're a ski nut. Just roughen the surface of the block area with sandpaper, apply ointment, and at the next new exit from the house, inspect the skis and if it seems to you that there is not enough ointment left, just apply a new layer, for me personally it doesn’t go anywhere and I don’t see any point in exhausting by washing off the old layer with a solvent.

I hope my article was useful to you and now your skiing holiday will be only a pleasure. Try to go out of town to the forests, there will definitely be a ski track and walks through a quiet winter forest cannot be compared with skiing in city parks. As always, I'm glad your comments and reviews, you can ask questions or supplement the article with your information, I wish you good luck.

For a classic style, the front and back of the ski is lubricated with glide paraffins. And the center of the ski is lubricated with a holding ointment to reduce recoil. The length of the middle part (blocks) is about fifty centimeters. It is counted from the end of the heel of the boot, placed in the mount towards the toe of the ski. For beginners, it is possible to lengthen the block up to fifteen centimeters towards the toe.

Application area holding ointments for the classic move.

In skating style, skis are lubricated along the entire length with glide paraffins. You will have to choose paraffins depending on what goals you set for yourself. If your goal is to ski on the weekends, then the cost of lubrication and time to prepare the skis will be minimal. But if you are going to compete and do it more professionally, you will have to give a lot of money and time.

The minimum preparation of skis at a more or less professional level includes: cleaning with soft wax (applying it, removing it and then brushing), applying several layers of weather wax (must be applied, allowed to cool to room temperature (about ten minutes), then scraped off , brush and polish). As a result, you will spend at least half an hour on these preparations. Another inconvenience is the smell, but it is not very strong. If you prepare skis at home, then there is a serious problem - paraffin contamination. They can ruin floors. And not only in the room where the preparation takes place, because it is possible to spread it throughout the house. Such training will be to the liking of only ardent fans skiing. Fortunately, there are easier preparation options.

Lubricants and paraffins of slip.

There are several types of sliding lubricants. Paraffins are widely used among amateurs. Professionals, in most cases, also use additionally. These funds are not cheap, and quickly spent. Therefore, if you are not a professional athlete, then it is better not to spend money on expensive accelerators. The shelf life of paraffins is not limited, but it does not make sense to buy it in large quantities.

If there is a humid climate where you intend to ride, then you should purchase. Well, if the air humidity is below fifty percent, then ordinary paraffins will do.

In humid climates, it is good to use fluorinated gels, emulsions, sprays. All you need to do is apply them to the skis with an eplicator or spray them. Then dry, heat with a hair dryer and polish. In this case, the skis will be prepared very quickly and without problems. The main disadvantages of such funds are the considerable cost and rapid consumption.

Ski ointments holding.

Holding ointments exist in solid and liquid states. Any holding ointment must meet two criteria. Firstly, it should allow the skier to push (when pushing off, additional pressure is created under the middle part of the ski, and thanks to the ointment, the skis seem to stick to the snow (snow crystals enter the ointment layer), which allows you to push off). After repulsion, the crystals come out of the ointment layer, which allows the skis to glide. Secondly, in the case when a person slides on one of the skis and pressure is also created under the middle part of the ski, the ointment should not slow down the movement. There are various methods of applying the ointment, such as applying several layers.

With ointment for lovers, things are much easier. There is one simple rule that works for sub-zero temperatures and inexpensive ointments: you should use an ointment whose lower limit of the temperature range is three to four degrees higher than the current temperature. If you didn’t guess with the ointment, and if the skis slow down excessively, then apply a more “cold” ointment on top, if they slip too much - a warmer one. Also, to enhance braking, you can increase the length of the block towards the toe of the ski. Applying a new layer of ointment will take only a few minutes, but nothing will spoil your riding experience. Do not be afraid to experiment with ointment, in this way you can quickly find the best option for yourself.

It is enough for an amateur to have three or four jars of ointment, which would be in the range from plus three to minus fifteen degrees. If you oil your skis at home, it is recommended that you remove any remaining wax before applying a new one. To remove the old ointment, use a special one. It is best to apply the ointment in two or three thin layers, rubbing each.

Ointments in the liquid state are called. Apply it in the desired thin strip on both sides of the groove, and then level it with a plastic scraper. This procedure is difficult to do directly on the track, so it is better to prepare in advance at home.

Klister can be applied at positive temperatures. But he has one unpleasant property - he greatly stains the case. So after skiing, it is better to wrap the skis in polyethylene so as not to pollute or spoil the cover. After using the skis, the klister begins to thaw and drain. It is best to wash off the klister immediately after riding, or remove it with a scraper.

Solid ointments usually work great in sub-zero temperatures, but problems can arise under certain conditions:

• Podlip. When the temperature goes above zero, such an unpleasant phenomenon as sticking may occur. This is the adhesion of snow to the ointment. As a result, a snowball is formed under the block.
• Icing. Snow crystals, instead of leaving the composition of the ointment after a point, break in it. An ice crust appears on the surface of the ointment. Often this happens when the temperature of the ointment is a little higher than necessary.
• The condition of the snow inside and outside of the track may differ, therefore, when leaving the track, problems may arise, the skis may brake too much. This can also be observed when leaving the shade for the sun and vice versa.

Ski preparation tools.

A few words should be said about the necessary tools. After reading some articles, newcomers to skiing may have the impression that dozens of tools need to be purchased to prepare skis. For professionals, this is possible. But beginners can get by with only the most modest set. By the way, we have prepared several options for ski preparation kits in the section.

If the sliding surface of your skis is made of high molecular weight sintered plastic, then the main tool for ski preparation will be. The remaining necessary tools are a scraper and 2 types of brushes - copper (for preliminary removal of dirt and residues of old paraffin) and nylon (for polishing the structure after applying new paraffin).

New skis, whether you later hot wax them or not, are best treated with an iron. We do not recommend using an ordinary household iron, since there is a possibility of burning the plastic - an irreversible action that will greatly impair the sliding properties of the plastic. Primary treatment should be performed with plus soft paraffin, the melting point of which is about seventy degrees. It is necessary to set the temperature of the iron to a minimum, at which the paraffin will melt, and proceed to warm up the ski, smoothly running the iron from the toe to the heel of the ski. It is necessary to monitor the temperature of the iron and ensure that there is always a layer of paraffin between the iron and the ski. This method of processing is suitable if you are not going to apply paraffin with an iron in the future.

The main tools used in the preparation of skis:

1. used to remove wax residue. We recommend choosing a scraper with a special rounding, so that it is convenient to remove paraffin from the grooves of the ski.
2. . Used to remove paraffin residues after scraping skis. If you plan to use hot paraffin waxing, then you definitely need such a brush.
3. . Used to prepare new skis, to remove the pile left from the grinder on the sliding surface. The cost of this tool is not great.
4. . A non-woven material that is used for the final polishing of skis. Used by professionals when applying expensive accelerators.
5. Sandpaper. It is used for sanding a ski last in a classic style in order to better hold the ointment on it in the future. Not necessary. For sanding, any fine-grained sandpaper is suitable.
6. Metal cycle. Used to remove the old structure. The fan doesn't need it. Cycling skis requires a special machine and certain skills. But it is very easy to ruin skis with this device.
7. , with which a new temperature structure is applied to the sliding surface. For amateurs is not necessary. Manufacturers apply sufficient structure.
8. . It is used for preliminary cleaning of the ski structure and for removing old paraffins.
9. . It is used to remove holding ointment and sliding paraffin. It is advisable to purchase. A very useful thing.
10. . It is used for leveling holding ointments. Plastic rubbing is best applied to ointments, and cork - to accelerator paraffins. Required tool.

Accessories.

Selection of ski waxes.

Depending on the level of training of the skier, you can in our store or collect your own:

1) Minimum. Suitable for walking through the forest on plastic skis. It is not necessary to buy paraffin and a bunch of tools. It is enough to purchase a set of holding ointments. You need to lubricate the skis under the block, rubbing with a synthetic cork so that there is no recoil. This will be enough for walking.

Compound: three or four jars of holding ointment, with a temperature range from zero to minus fifteen degrees. And one cork-grinding.

2) Sufficient. Kit for complete and intelligent ski care. With it, you can ride in any weather, and even participate in some competitions.

Compound: the minimum set plus a set of inexpensive paraffins, a ski iron, a wash, a brush, a scraper.

3) Advanced. A set that will suit a well-trained professional athlete.

Compound: a sufficient set plus a set of holding ointments with fluorine, a set of paraffins with fluorine, knurling, accelerators, sprays and emulsions.

Today we will share with you general information on ointments, lubricants and ski preparation. What a beginner should know in terms of how to prepare skis, what is needed for this, how often it needs to be done. Regardless of what kind of skis they are, in most cases they need to be lubricated.

Do budget skis need to be lubricated?

Budget skis, that is, at a price of up to 5,000 rubles, you do not need to lubricate. The fact is that skis are made from two types of materials: extruded polyethylene and sintered. The slipper, which is made using Extruded Base technology, almost does not absorb. Such a ski glides more on its texture. Sintered Base is a more expensive and more complex technology. Such a surface has pores that can absorb paraffin. Thus, paraffin works: in the process of work, it comes out of these very pores. There is no point in lubricating cheap skis - the lubricant on them will not last long.

Are classic and skating skis lubricated the same way?

And it lubricates differently. Both types of skis have a sliding surface that lubricates the same under equal weather conditions, but classic skis also have a block on which a holding ointment is applied.

Is it possible to do ski preparation at home or do I have to go to the service?

You can cook skis at home. But for this it is necessary to purchase equipment that will allow you to work with skis. From a minimum, an iron is needed - in order to apply paraffin using the hot method.

An ordinary household iron will not work here, it is absolutely impossible to work with such an iron, it is for completely different purposes.

Profile - a special device that is mounted on the table and allows you to fix the ski with the sliding surface up. In this position, the skis need to be prepared. At least two brushes: steel with a fine pile and nylon, soft. Steel is needed in order to clean the ski before applying paraffin and clean the paraffin after application - to open the pores. After that, a soft nylon brush is used to polish the sliding surface, making it even more slippery. You also need a plastic scraper for the initial removal of paraffin after it has been applied and cooled. Paraffin must enter the pores, and it must be removed from the surface of the skis. What we have now listed is necessary for the preparation of skating skis.

To prepare classic skis, you also need a cork for rubbing the holding ointment on the block and a wash. It is very difficult to remove an old and dirty holding ointment with anything other than a wash. The old holding ointment must be removed before applying a new one. A wash is a special solution, quite caustic, which is able to corrode holding ointment, resins and complex contaminants. This is the bare minimum for a home.

Why is it better to prepare skis in a service?

There is a certain sense in buying all this equipment if a large family and everyone skis. If a person is seriously interested in skiing, then it makes sense to buy in order to “wax” yourself and your friends. I would still always turn to the service, there the equipment is more professional than an ordinary skier can afford to buy. Service irons, as a rule, differ from home irons in a thicker sole. Applying powders or even cold lubricants with a home iron is sometimes very difficult. The thing is that the sole loses temperature and it takes more time to melt the lubricant. As a result, many begin to literally rub the lubricant. The ski overheats and the plastic surface melts much easier than the unheated surface. The valuable factory structure suffers greatly from this. This is especially true for warm skis with large and sharp structures.

Lubricant classification

First of all, you need to divide the lubricants according to the temperature of the snow. Four main ranges. Warm lubricants - plus and zero, zero and a small minus. Frosty - by minus 5-15 and by minus 15-30. The colder the snow, the harder the grease will be and the melting point will be higher. In frost, the snow is rough and warm lubricants quickly work out. Frosty snow gets stuck in soft paraffin, which worsens the glide a lot. Warm (soft) lubricants have better water repellency than solid lubricants.

Further, it is worth dividing any lubricants according to the fluorine content. Fluorine significantly increases the water repellency of any lubricant. Lubricants without fluorine are the most budgetary, but it does not mean that they are bad at all. In conditions of low humidity, they are able to give very good glide. The average content of fluorine already gives some advantages at high humidity. Often they are used as an independent lubricant. But riders have more like ground for more fluoric compounds and accelerators. They are much more expensive than fluorine-free lubricants. High fluoride and ultra are used at very high humidity of snow and air. They are expensive and a beginner skier can even be discouraged by their price.

How much will it cost to maintain skis manually and how much will it cost in the service

Four paraffins for the whole winter or even for two seasons will cost 600 rubles per briquette. An amateur iron will cost 4 thousand, a profile - 5 thousand, a scraper - 200 rubles, a scraper for a groove - 200 rubles, brushes will cost 3 thousand. Total for 15 thousand "pass". If a person prepares his skis for only one pair during the season, then it does not always make sense to purchase this equipment. In the service, skis for a beginner will be prepared in 10 minutes. In total it will cost 300 rubles. At the same time, they will give recommendations, assess the condition of the skis, and tell a lot of interesting things. Lubrication applies approximately 20-25 km of travel

Should I remove the grease or let it sit until the next time?

For athletes, before each training session, before each race, the skis are completely cleaned and new lubricants are applied immediately before going out on the snow. And a beginner should apply lubricant in case of weather changes or if the lubricant has developed. Skating before applying the lubricant, in any case, be cleaned with a wire brush. As for the classics, you will need a wash for the ointment.

For good manufacturers

In service, I mainly use Swix, Start, Vauhti, Maplus, Toko, Ski-go, Holmenkol lubricants. It can be said with dignity - these are the best of the best. These lubricants are used both in world-class racing and in mass sports.