How to Remove Cosmoline From Skis

Cosmoline is a petroleum type of protective coating used on many items to keep rust or deterioration from occurring. This coating is used on all types of materials and proves extremely difficult to remove.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 plastic scraper
  • 1 package of rags and cotton swabs
  • 1 can of mineral spirits
  • 1 heat gun or paint stripper gun
  • 1 quantity of hot water
  • 1 can of good-quality degreaser
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the plastic scraper (one of the wax scrapers used to apply wax to the bottom of skis is very effective) and scrape all of the surfaces as clean and free of the cosmoline buildup as possible.

    • 2

      Use the cotton swabs and remove any excess cosmoline from other parts of the skis such as the bindings.

    • 3

      Use the mineral spirits and immerse the skis in a long pan, vat or tub. You can do the cleaning of the skis in sections depending on the size of your pan or tube.

    • 4

      Soak the skis in a solution of mineral spirits for 15--30 minutes. Remove the skis and wipe the broken-down petroleum material from the skis.

    • 5

      Repeat the above process on each section of the skis until all is completed and you are satisfied that the majority of the cosmoline has been removed.

    • 6

      Repeat the immersion and wiping process as many times as necessary to eliminate all residues form the skis and bindings.

    • 7

      Use the heat gun/paint stripper to heat the skis in sections while wiping any liquid that sweats out of the pores of the ski material.

    • 8

      Place the skis in an immersion of hot water, preferably above the cosmoline melting point of 125-degrees Fahrenheit. Use the hot water and mild dish soap to wash the skis in order to remove any additional residues left behind from the mineral spirits.

    • 9

      Spray the bindings with some good-quality silicone spray to protect from any further corrosion caused by the cleaning process.