Race Wax Preparation

The ultimate race wax preparation would look something like this.

Race wax prep is an advanced process and assumes you have some experience waxing skis. If you are new to waxing, check out our Nordic Ski Waxing: How To.

Race Homework:

• Review the history of the snow and check the trail report to select the right ski flex.
• Check the weather forecast to determine your wax selection.

Race Prep Outline:

1. Bush out ski with Stainless Steel Brush.
2. Scrape your bases.
3. Bush in the wax using a Horsehair Brush.
4. Apply one or two layers of base wax and iron in.
5. Scrape your bases.
6. Bush in the wax using a Horsehair Brush.
7. Apply one or two layers of race wax and iron in.
8. Use a groove scraper to clean the wax out of the center groove.
9. Scrape your bases.
10. Light pass with Stainless Steel Brush.
11. Bush the wax out of the structure using a Horsehair Brush.
12. Brush using a Nylon Polishing Brush to polish the bottom of the ski
13. Apply a structure to the ski using a structure tool.

Details about the process:

The Fast Wax system layers the ski with wax, starting with Base Prep and going to an under-layer of the fluoro-free base wax, followed by a race layer of waxes depending on conditions.

1. To open the ski base, brush the base from tip to tail with the Fast Wax Stainless Steel Brush. This will open the ski base, clean out the old wax and dirt, and allow better penetration of the new wax.
2. Remove base hairs and brush the ski from tip to tail using a White Scotchbrite Pad wrapped over a Speed Block or a flat cork. This keeps the Scotchbrite pad flat and prevents it from rounding off the ski edges.
3. Start the hot wax process using a digital ski waxing iron, drip a generous amount of Base Prep wax onto the ski base, and iron in from tip to tail. The wax will act as an insulator; a generous layer helps keep the iron off the ski base; use about one drip every 1/2 inch, more if you are inexperienced. When ironing in the wax, draw the iron down the ski, holding a molten bead of wax about 2 to 3 inches behind the iron, and always keep the iron moving. Make a second pass at a little higher speed than the first pass. This can pick up any places that are missed.
4. Scrape the wax using short, easy strokes, again working from tip to tail until all wax is removed. (Tip) Use a sharp scraper and keep it sharp. A scraper sharpener makes it easy to have a sharp scraper; give the scraper a few passes over the sharpener each time before scraping.
5. Brush out the ski structure with a Horsehair Brush.
6. Drip on and iron in your race wax base layer.
7. Let the ski cool to room temp and scrape.
8. Brush out the structure of the ski with a Horsehair Brush.
9. Drip on and iron in your race wax layer.
10. Scrape the groove with a groove tool and clean off the edges while the ski is still warm.
11. Scrape the ski base a final time after the ski returns to room temperature.
12. Using the Fast Wax Stainless Steel Brush, make a few light passes down the ski.
13. Followed by 3 to 5 passes with the Fast Wax Horsehair Brush.
14. Now, it is time to use the Nylon Polishing Brush to bring the ski base up to a high shine.
15. If you can access a structure tool, now is the time to imprint the pattern.
16. If you have a wax diary, put in an entry about the prep you did.

Race Wax Example:

• 1 to 2 Layers Fluoro-free Base Prep
• 1 Layer of HSLF-10 Teal
• 2 Layers of Thunderbolt Plus 10 - Green

Remember to PROTECT YOUR SKIS in transit to the event. Use good quality ski bones to protect your ski bases while you travel to your race. Now you are ready to be faster than fast!