Fans of winter sports and skiing know that the necessary condition for the proper operation of sports equipment is its preparation before use. Regular lubrication of skis facilitates gliding on a snowy surface and protects them from rapid wear. All cross-country skis need lubrication , regardless of the material of manufacture: both plastic and wooden.
Types of Lubricants
The most common ski lubricant is paraffins. They are available in standard-sized bars, but vary in price category. In the assortment of foreign manufacturers there is liquid wax with tubes. It is worth considering that in the central zone and in the south of Russia during the winter season, air temperature can fluctuate significantly, and this is one of the factors affecting slip. Therefore, in the arsenal, it is desirable to have several types of paraffins intended for use in different temperature ranges. Since paraffins belong to sliding lubricants, they process the bow and heel of the ski. For the pads (central part), holding ointments are used.
Paraffin lubrication of skis is especially widely used in amateur sports for short trainings and trips over short distances up to 15 km. In a professional environment, completely different requirements. Here, skiers use more expensive means (boosters). They can be presented in various variations, in the form of aerosols, powders, emulsions, etc.
Equipment and accessories for lubrication
To properly treat your
skis with ointments and paraffin, you need additional concomitant remedies:
- Special iron for application and distribution of paraffin. At home, you can use a regular old iron, but with caution, and set the minimum heating mode.
- Plastic scraper to remove old paraffin wax.
- Coarse bristle brush, mainly nylon. With its help, the sliding surface of the skis is more thoroughly cleaned.
- To clean the pads, sandpaper is used.
- To lubricate the skis for maximum glide, their surface is polished with a non-woven material. It can be old things from kapron, wool or felt.
Ski preparation process
Lubrication of plastic skis is carried out according to the following scheme: first, the remnants of the old layer of grease are removed using a scraper. Then, with a brush, the entire surface in the bow and heel is carefully cleaned and with sandpaper in the block. Only after this, the sliding surface of the skis is treated with paraffin, and the block with a holding ointment. For maximum results, paraffin can be applied in several layers. This method is used to prepare professional racing skis. In amateur sports a sufficient condition is a single lubrication of the skis with sliding ointments (paraffins). Finally, the sliding surface of the skis must be polished.
To cool and fix the grease, the skis are taken outside for about 30 minutes. After this time, they will be ready for use.