Properly Scrape and Brush Race Skis – Professional Ski Preparation for Racing
The correct preparation of race skis is a science in itself – it can decide whether the athlete gains those crucial hundredths of a second in a race. In this article, you will learn how to professionally scrape and brush race skis so that your child or you yourself are optimally prepared for the competition.
Properly Scrape Skis: How to Remove Wax Efficiently and Gently
What is needed?
- Scraper blades (3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm)
- Blade sharpener (manual or electric)
Scraper Blades: Differences and Recommendations
Scraper blades come in different thicknesses. For me, 3 mm blades have proven particularly effective. They are the easiest to resharpen and are flexible enough to adapt optimally to the ski base. This reduces the risk of damaging the base and ensures even scraping.
Blade Sharpener: Precision is Crucial
Electric blade sharpeners offer particularly consistent sharpening quality.
When using manual sharpeners, particular care must be taken, as body files can easily create waves or edges. Here too, post-processing with sandpaper is mandatory.
The Correct Scraping Procedure
- Always use a sharp blade. Two pairs of skis can be processed per blade (one edge per ski). Then the scraper blade must be resharpened.
- Scrape the ski from tip to tail with even pressure.
- The blade should lie flat on the base.
- Usually 2 to 3 passes are sufficient to completely remove the wax.
Properly Brushing Skis: Exposing Structure and Refining the Base
Brush Types and Their Applications
- Steel brush: Ideal for cleaning after a ski day or as the first brush after scraping for speed disciplines (e.g., Super-G, Downhill).
- Bronze/Brass brush: First choice after scraping to roughly remove wax from the structure.
- Tampico: Natural bristles for thorough cleaning after steel or bronze.
- Horsehair: For fine brushing after Tampico.
- Soft nylon: Finish brush for a particularly smooth base appearance.
- Microsteel: Special finish brush for specific race finish waxes.
- Merino: Neutralizes static charge after nylon brushing.
Hand vs. Rotary Brushes
- Rotary brushes save effort, deliver consistent results, and are faster. Important: always brush in the direction of ski travel. It is best to mark the rotary brushes with their direction of travel, as these brushes must always be used in the same working direction.
- Hand brushes are particularly well suited for steel and bronze brushes, as rotary versions can be too aggressive here. Always brush only from tip to tail.
Brushing Procedure
- Steel or Bronze Hand Brush: 2–3 passes from tip to tail.
- Tampico Rotary Brush: Back and forth in both directions.
- Horsehair Rotary Brush: In both directions and finally from front to back.
- Soft Nylon (race skis only): 1–3 passes, last pass always from front to back.
- Merino Brush: To finish, to eliminate static charge. Important: The merino roller should be cleaned with a scraper blade once before each use to prevent lint from remaining on the ski.
Conclusion: Precision for the Perfect Run
Anyone who wants to optimally prepare race skis should pay attention to high-quality tools, a systematic approach, and care. A correctly scraped and brushed ski not only brings more speed but also provides a better feel and more safety in the race.
For more tips on ski preparation, regularly visit our blog at www.sf-sports.de.