How to Mix Pure Fluorocarbon Ski Wax

How to Mix Pure Fluorocarbon Ski Wax

cross country skier image by eichnersmith from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Pure fluorocarbon wax gives the base of your cross country skis a teflon-like coating that is particularly good on old, grimy and dirty snow. This wax allows the ski to glide over this detritus and debris with little to no damage to the base. Mixing and using this form of ski wax requires the use of a respirator and a well-ventilated room; the powder form of the wax is hazardous to lungs. You will be using a low-setting iron to get the wax mixed on the base of the skis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Powder fluorocarbon ski wax
  • Waxing bench
  • Waxing iron
  • Cross country skis and ski clamps
  • Respirator
  • Ventilated room
  • Wax scraper
  • Horse hair brush
  • Funnel
  • Large salt shaker
Step 1
Clamp your skis to the work bench with the bases facing up. Turn the wax iron on to the lowest heat setting. Open the workshop windows and put on your respirator.
Step 2
Brush the base of the skis with the horse hair brush and scrape away any old base and kick wax from the skis. Unscrew the top to the salt shaker and place the funnel into it. Pour the powder form of the fluorocarbon wax into the salt shaker. Screw the top back on.
Step 3
Shake the pure fluorocarbon powder onto the base of the skis, in the kick zone and onto the glide areas. Go in one motion as you shake and spread the powder. Make sure both skis get equal amounts of the powder fluorocarbon wax.
Step 4
Heat the wax using the iron. Place the iron on top of the ski base and slowly move it toward the tip of the ski, letting the powder melt and mix. Move in one direction only. If you need to go back over your pure fluorocarbon wax again, remove the iron from the tip and bring it back to the starting position and move it forward again. Do this to the other ski.
Step 5
Allow the wax to mix and set into the base of the skis. After 10 minutes, use the horse hair brush to smooth down the wax. Use the scraper to remove any excess wax off the sides and edges of the ski bases. Scrape any lumps or accumulated wax bubbles off the ski bases.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com
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