Tuning Kit & the Basics

(FAQ)

Skis and Snowboards perform at their best when the edges and base are maintained on a regular basis. Tuned skis & boards are much more fun and responsive!

The TOOLS4BOARDS TUNING STATION KIT comes with a high quality edge tool, file blades, file brush and stone to remove excess side-wall material and bevel, sharpen and polish both the side-edge and base-edge of skis and snowboards. Please refer to the edge tool instructions included in the kit (or download: Xact) for details on proper edge tuning. Go to your Tools4Boards dealer for more information on tuning or to find kit replacement items.

Waxing Skis and Snowboards
-Innovative
-Simple
-Inexpensive
-Fast

SAFETY
-Always wax in a well ventilated area.
-Never leave wax iron on unattended.
-Use ski and snowboard vises.
-Pay attention. Sharpened edges can be harmful.

BASE PREPARATION & MAINTENANCE

CLEAN UP
Start with a well-ventilated, clean and unobstructed area free of debris. Use a ski and/or snowboard specific vise mounted to the table-top of a solid workbench. The TOOLS4BOARDS CINCH vise is ideal for holding both skis and boards. When traveling a portable tuning stand like the TOOLS4BOARDS TERMINATOR is an ideal platform on which to mount vises.
Wash your hands and make sure your ski or snowboard is securely fastened base-up in the vise. Run the sharp edge of the PLEXI SCRAPER down the length of the base to remove old wax and dirt. Brush the base vigorously with a NYLON BRISTLE BRUSH and wipe the base clean with a sheet of MAPLUS LINT-FREE TOWEL. Run the towel down the each edge to remove any rust
NOTE: To keep your scraper sharp use the edge tool included In the kit. Simply place the side-wall cutter blade in the side-edge slot of the tool and with the bevel angle set to 0′, pull the tool along the side of the scraper a few times to reestablish sharpness.

There are two methods used to further clean the base:
1) Rub the warm temp MAPLUS WAX (White) like a crayon covering the entire base with a thin layer of wax to protect the base from initial contact with an iron to prevent scorching, then using the MAPLUS WAX IRON or similar with the temperature setting around 120′ C and, positioning the block of wax a few inches above the base, gently hold the wax against the iron to start the wax dripping. Move the iron along a few inches above the entire length of the base reversing
direction 3 times so there are 3 lines of wax from tip to tail. Run the iron down the length of the base and keeping the iron moving make a few passes (each pass around 5-10 seconds) to melt the wax into the base. A thin layer of liquid wax Should now coat the entire base. Wait a few minutes until the wax begins to harden and then use the plexi scraper to scrape the soft warm wax off the base. Removing this soft wax wilt also remove dirt and contamination and clean the
base. Brush the base vigorously with a NYLON BRISTLE BRUSH and wipe the base clean with a sheet of MAPLUS LINT-FREE TOWEL
NOTE: If the wax smokes the iron temperature setting is too high. Always keeping the iron moving along the length of the base to prevent burning or scorching of the base material.
2) Use MAPLUS CLEAN wax removing detergent spray to cover the length entire base and then wipe clean using a sheet of MAPLUS LINT-FREE TOWEL. Brush the base vigorously with a NYLON BRISTLE BRUSH

NOTE: To remove any micro hairs from the base material run the SCOTCHBRITE NYLON ABRASIVE PAD down the length of the base, rubbing and pressing.

NOTE: To re-establish base structure, simply wrap 3M SAND PAPER around one length of the PLEXI SCRAPER, then make a few passes down the length of the base pressing the paper against the base materiaL

WAX ON
Depending on snow temperature rub on either MAPLUS HOT (White -5° to 0° C) or Cold (Green -10° to -5° C) temp universal paraffin wax like a crayon over the entire base to create an even wax layer. Then cork in the wax by vigorously rubbing and pressing the cork back and forth along the length of the base or, if a wax iron is available, set the iron temperature to around 120∑ C and, positioning the block of wax a few inches above the base, gently hold the wax against the iron to start the wax dripping. Move the iron along a few inches above the entire length of the base reversing direction 3 times so there are 3 lines of wax from lip to tai. Run the iron down the length of the base and keeping the iron moving make a few passes (each pass around 5-10 seconds) to melt the wax into the base. A thin layer of liquid wax should now
coat the entire base. Wait 20 minutes until the wax has hardened and ski or board has completely cooled and then use the plexi scraper to scrape most of the wax off the base. Run one end of the scraper down each side of the ski or board edge to remove any excess wax that may have overflowed onto the sides when ironing.

NOTE: Ironing wax into the base is the most effective way to apply wax to maximize performance and durability. Consider investing in a MAPLUS WAX IRON if you don’t already own one.

NOTE: If the wax smokes the iron temperature setting is too high. Always keeping the iron moving along the length of the base to prevent burning or scorching the base material.

BRUSH UP
Using multiple overlapping strokes in one direction from tip to tail, vigorously brush the base until shiny using a NYLON BRISTLE BRUSH. The more you brush the faster you go.

FIT TO BE TIED
Always use MAPLUS ALPINE SKI STRAPS to protect bases and prevent skis from scissoring during transport.