How to Buff Downhill Skis That I Waxed at Home

After you hot wax your skis, you should buff them for maximum performance. Your choice of buffing technique depends on snow conditions and the type of skiing you intend to do. For spring skiing, you want to maintain a slightly rough texture to break up capillarity suck between your skis and wet snow. For harder snow or racing, a smoother ski surface will give better performance.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic scraper
  • Polishing cork
  • Medium scrubbie
  • Soft brush
  • Liquid wax (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after waxing before you buff your skis. Make sure the wax has fully hardened.

    • 2

      Use a plastic scraper to remove all excess wax. Hold the scraper at a 45 degree angle to the ski. Work from tip to tail in medium strokes, maintaining a medium to firm pressure. Be careful to keep to scraper at a steady angle to avoid gouging the wax.

    • 3

      Rub the ski from tip to tail with a polishing cork, until the wax is smooth and shiny.

    • 4

      Texture the polished base with a scrubbie. Choose a medium scrubbie for wet snow and a fine one for packed snow or racing. Most skiers use the basic scrubbies sold at supermarkets for buffing; they are cheap and effective.

    • 5

      Clean fine threads of wax from the ski base by running a medium nylon brush over the ski from tip to tail.