by Mr.
Klister
Base Repairs
Fast skis have smooth bases. So, when your ski bases have
one or more deep gouges, its time to repair them. Most
often, such gouges are the result of chance encounters
with rocks in the trail. Another source of divots is crossing
your skis and stepping on the rear of your binding. This
latter type of damage seems to be more associated with
skating.
Begin repairs by cleaning the damaged area as thoroughly
as possible. Use wax remover and a fine brush to get all
of the old wax out of a gouge. Wipe the gouge and the
area around it dry with a lint-free rag and do not touch
the ski again with your fingers. The reason for this pre-caution
is that the oil from your hands may keep the repair material
from properly bonding with the ski base. Then use a sharp
knife or razor to trip away any flaps of p-tex around
the edge of the gouge.
Repairing the damage consists of filling the gouge with
melted p-tex dripped from a p-tex candle. However, before
repairing the damaged area, cut a hole in a piece of paper
big enough permit seeing the gouge, but small enough not
to leave too much of the undamaged ski base exposed. This
paper is then positioned and taped in place so that it
will shield the base from unwanted drips of p-tex.
P-tex repair sticks, or 'candles,' are available from
ski shops. To use one you light one end with a match and
wait until the stick begins to drip. Hold the burning
candle over some scrap cardboard to catch the first few
drips until the candle gets really warmed up. Then, quickly
more the candle into position over the ski and, holding
the candle close to the ski base (1/4" above the
base about a 30 degree angle), drip melted p-tex into
the gouge. Let just enough p-tex fall on the ski to cover
the gouge. Don't over do it. Keep the candle close to
the ski or the drips will burn as they fall and black
carbon will be included in the patch material.
Let the patch cool for at least 30 minutes. Then, lightly
scrape the repaired area with a sharp metal scraper to
remove any excess p-tex and flatten the ski base in the
area of the repair. It's a good idea to practice dripping
the p-tex to learn how to control the amount that falls
and its placement. If you over fill the gouge you will
have to scrape away a lot of excess p-tex. This additional
scraping increases the likelihood of pulling the p-tex
out of the gouge. So, be careful.
Smaller gouges can be filled with p-tex repair string,
available from skier's supply companies like Tognat Toolworks
(800-228-9904). Working with p-tex string is different
from using a p-tex candle. Instead of dripping melting
p-tex into a gouge, you iron it in using a base repair
iron, a device that looks like a woodburning pencil or
small soldering iron. Lastly p-tex fumes are not healthy,
so don't work in a confined space. Wear a respirator if
you have one, or work outdoors with a fan to blow away
the fumes.
