Proper Base Prep

According to tests in different conditions, skis are fastest right after stonegrinding. Since bare, exposed bases will begin to harden and oxidize within half an hour if left unprotected – there’s a reason we put a loaf of bread back in the plastic bag after use – clean, “seal”, and saturate your bases as soon as possible after stonegrinding. Right after grinding we wipe the base with clean, pure rapid evaporating, low flashpoint Vauhti wax remover. Then we apply Vauhti Base Prep Paraffin (this is a very important first step). The Vauhti Base Prep Paraffin melts at 55°C and is therefore very suitable for hotbox use. After the skis have cooled, follow up with proper base prepping.

Edges

Right after stonegrinding and before base prepping the edges need to be cleaned and bevelled straight. This is very important in order to have the ski perform at their best!

 

Cleaning

• The first step is to “dry-clean” your bases. We use fast evaporating, low flashpoint Vauhti Ski Base cleaner.

• After this we use the Red Creek fine steel Rotobrush

 

• Liquidation Priming

• Next, apply a generous amount of New Vauhti Ski Base Fluoro cleaner.

• Allow to soak minimum 15-30 minutes

 

• Saturation

• Melt in Vauhti Base Prep Paraffin (melting point 55°C)

• The application of the Vauhti Ski Base cleaner will reduce the Base Prep melting point

• Melt and repeat ironing by hand 2-3 times - if 1 or 2 pairs

• Melt once and use hot box if you have multiple pairs (4-6 hrs)

• Total absorption of Vauhti Base Prep Paraffin is identical through both processes

• When doing multiple pairs the Hot Box will save you time! But be aware of proper procedures for using a Hotbox. Click here for more info!

 

• Layering

• 1 layer Vauhti Low Fluoro (LF) Base Prep Paraffin

• 2 layers Vauhti Racing Service Blue

• 1 layer Vauhti LF Green or LF Graphite – depending on conditions

• Now your freshly stoneground new - or used - skis are ready for the final ski-day/race waxing.

 

• At this point we want to emphasize the importance of:

• Proper methods of melting with proper irons with right temperatures

• Proper scraping

• Proper brushing

 

Our experience has taught us that stonegrinding, cleaning, sealing, saturating, and layering is 50%. The other 50% is proper mechanical brushing. We accomplish this by the aggressive use of several different Vauhti and Red Creek brushes. We use the fine and extra fine steel hand brushes a lot, and one of our favourite rotobrushes is the Red Creek Norwegian Special (a combi brush with fine steel and horse hair). For top service techs we highly recommend the triple-combi (fine steel, horse hair, and fine nylon).

 

If you are skiing in very cold and dry conditions smoothen out the freshly stoneground pattern using the Fibretex roller. Use long back and forth strokes using very light pressure. Finish with a pass from tip to tail. We have found that this really “lightens up” the ski on the uphills! For more information on brushing click here.

 

Wax Penetration on Freshly Stoneground Bases…

As pointed out above one of the advantages of stonegrinding is wax penetration. Surprisingly only a very small amount can be absorbed into the base; just a few grams. Therefore the wax layer that goes into the base is only a few thousands of a millimeter thick! Because we use high temperatures when melting the waxes onto the base – which can cause the base to overheat if not careful – it’s extremely important to use enough wax so as not to overheat the base and ensure complete saturation.

Even though the question may be “To stonegrind or not to stonegrind…” it should be, “Where can I get my skis stoneground?” Find out at Gatineau Nordic!