Quick question, liquid glide wax

[patoswiss]

We are skiing tomorrow and it will be cold and snowy (eastern PA). All our skis are freshly waxed, I assume the tech used an all temp wax because I didn't specify.

I put on liquid Swix F4 because of the snow and temps tomorrow. I don't wax our skis but figured, how hard can it be? Put it on, waited 15 mins, buffed it with the felt pad provided, but I feel like it needs to be buffed more. Or maybe I buffed it too much and some of it is gone...

All the videos on youtube show a light buff... Is buffing a liquid different than a hot wax? I remember my dad hot waxing our skis and buffing them to almost shine, saying 'the snow will do the final buff for us'. True? Do I keep buffing this liquid wax in until it shines? Do I need something besides the felt pad?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jilly]

@volklgirl. She would be our resident expert on waxing.

 

[Fluffy Kitty]

Is buffing a liquid different than a hot wax? I remember my dad hot waxing our skis and buffing them to almost shine, saying 'the snow will do the final buff for us'. True?

You will be fine. You won't notice any difference unless you are racing.

I have found that F4 is good to about 10ºF (specified for 15ºF - 50ºF, but that's the "optimal" range). At lower temperatures, having that extra, unbuffed layer will help glide for about 10 miles, so the excess wax clogging up the structure is actually to your advantage, especially on cold and fresh snow.

Enjoy!

 

[patoswiss]

Thanks! Can it be applies in the cold? Do the skis have to be warmed up first? I will dry and wipe off surface dirt before applying....

 

[Fluffy Kitty]

Yes, you can apply it when it's cold. The buffing produces the heat needed. It might take more elbow grease, and won't go in as deep as when warm. (Someone once mentioned here that you need to look like a "mad chicken" to be buffing correctly. ) Also, not really necessary to wait for the wax to dry completely.

 

[volklgirl]

Buffing a hot wax job merely smooths out any inconsistencies in the wax job. Buffing a liquid or paste wax should heat it up enough to help it minimally penetrate the base.