As Promised, here is an installment in my Spring and Summer Series
Comparison of waxing methods
(Overlays not considered)
|
Methods:
|
Hotbox
|
Infrared
|
Belt/Roller
|
Ironing
|
Ray’s Way
|
Corking
|
|
Application time
|
3- 12 hours (*1)
|
2-5 minutes
|
2 minutes
|
5-15 minutes (*2)
|
5 minutes or less
|
5 minutes or less
|
|
Cure time
|
.5- 8 hours (*3)
|
.5-8 hours
|
10-15 minutes
|
.5- 8 hours
|
0 minutes
|
0 minutes
|
|
Finishing time
|
15-45 minutes
|
15- 45 minutes
|
0-2 minutes
|
15- 45 minutes
|
2-3 minutes
|
2-3 minutes
|
|
Equipment Cost
|
$100-250
|
$5,000 +
|
$500
|
$50-500
|
$20-40
|
$2-10
|
|
Application Cost
if done by shop
|
$25-40
|
$15-15
|
$4-8
|
$5-15
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Wax Use per ski
|
10-15 g.
|
.5-1 gram
|
1 gram
|
10-15 g
|
.2-.4 gram
|
.2- .5 gram
|
|
Percent Wasted
|
>90 %
|
<10% (est.)
|
<5% (est.)
|
>90 % (*4)
|
<5%
|
<5%
|
|
Amount absorbed
|
.5-3 grams (*5)
|
Unknown
|
Unknown
|
.5-1 gram
|
>90%
|
>90%
|
|
Best Use
|
Soft wax soak, new skis.
|
Hard wax and difficult applications
|
On hill ease
|
Cleaning, new skis, HC waxes
|
LF wax, HF wax, and overlays
|
On hill quick wax
|
|
Worst Use
|
In a hurry
|
Soaking
|
Race Wax
|
Fluros
|
Soaking
|
Soaking
|
|
Durability (*6)
|
Best
|
Best
|
Good
|
Best
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
*1: Hotbox Application Time includes iron waxing time, and varies with purpose
*2: Iron Application time varies depending on purpose and patience. Long ironing must be done carefully.
*3: Cure time is defined as how soon the skis can be scraped, brushed and polished. Soft waxes cure slowly. The hardest waxes should be finished when slightly warm.
*4: Waste wax can be successfully down-cycled as a fire accelerant for those with a fireplace.
*5: Data from my long term study measuring ski weight backs up these estimates.
*6: Durability is generally an over-rated characteristic for racers. The highest performing waxes are only expected to last 1 run or so. But for training, all day protection/glide is very important.
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