Liquid Glide wax Application

Liquid Glide Wax Application

Liquid waxes are some of the simplest and most user friendly options out there for making skis faster. They are a fantastic way to get your skis primed without an entire wax box full of tools. In the waxing world, liquid glide waxes are seeing the most research and development. Season after season, new and improved liquid waxes are becoming available. With the R&D focus and the advent of fluoro-free waxing rules, liquid waxes have seriously broken out as one of the best ways to make fast fluoro-free skis. This is a huge bonus since these liquid waxes can be applied in the parking lot without advanced waxing knowledge or tools.

How-To Video

Steps may differ in the video from what we recommend!

Step-by-Step

1) Begin by cleaning your ski. Find the steps here: https://skiwax.ca/collections/glide-zone-cleaning. If you are skiing more than 15km, you may consider ironing on a base melt wax that suits the day's snow conditions. Scrape and brush that with metal and horsehair prior to liquid waxing. Alternatively, you can apply a liquid base wax that will extend the durability of your liquid.

2) Apply the liquid wax to your prepped ski!

a) Sponge Dabber: the cleanest method for applying liquids! Turn the bottle upside-down and dab the liquid onto the ski base in a pumping method. Use the sponge to spread the liquid evenly onto the base.
b) Spray Bottle: alpine method! Using the gas-propelled liquid bottle, spray the wax directly onto the ski base. Use a felt-capped cork or shop towel to spread the liquid evenly on the ski base. As this method make a wide pattern, it is best to use this for alpine and snowboard. Lots of wax gets wasted on XC skis in this method but you can also spray the liquid into shop towel and wipe on.
c) Open Top: best bang for buck! If you have a bulk bottle, simply hold shop towel in one hand over the top of the bottle, closing it off. Shake the bottle to dampen the cloth with small amount of liquid. Spread the liquid onto the base with the damp towel.

3) Set the ski aside until the liquid is visibly dry. It can take several minutes for the solvents to evaporate. Some are much faster than others but are often at a premium price! With some modern waxes like Toko Jet, you are finished at this step as they are not brushed out!

4) Once the liquid is dry, it's time to polish! Use a nylon hand brush or nylon roto brush. 10-15 passes with a hand brush or several passes with a roto brush should be plenty. Optionally, before polishing with nylon, you can use felt, natural cork, or a VERY low temperature iron to introduce heat into the liquid wax. This will adhere it to the base a little better and increase the durability of the wax. Hitting the wax with a long-hair wool roto brush after using nylon also tends to increase speed!

5) Wipe your ski base with polishing cloth to remove any dust residue from the brushing process.

Your skis should now be ready to hit the trails! Consider finishing your ski by adding a top coat block wax as well as structure with a rilling tool to best match conditions.

Products for Liquid Glide Wax Application

53 products

Ski Waxing Safety Measures

Safe Ski Waxing: Protect Yourself While Prepping Your Skis

Ski waxing is key to great performance on the snow, but it involves chemicals, heat, dust, and fumes that require careful handling. Prioritizing safety protects your health and ensures the waxing process is both effective and responsible.

Follow these essential safety practices every time you wax:

1. Maximize Ventilation: Fresh Air is Crucial ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ

  • Why? Hot waxing, solvents, and brushing release fumes and fine dust particles that shouldn't be inhaled.
  • Best Practice: Wax outdoors whenever possible.
  • Indoors: Ensure excellent air exchange.
    • Work near open windows or doors.
    • Use powerful exhaust fans (like range hoods or dedicated extraction systems) vented directly outside.
    • Simple fans just circulating air within the room are not sufficient.
  • Speak Up: If you're in a shared facility (like a team wax room or event) and ventilation seems poor, notify staff or organizers immediately. If you can strongly smell fumes or wax, ventilation isn't adequate.

2. Protect Your Lungs: Use a Respirator ๐Ÿ˜ท

  • Why? Waxing generates harmful airborne particles and fumes from multiple sources:
    • Smoke/fumes from hot waxing irons or machines.
    • Dust from scraping and brushing wax.
    • Vapors from evaporating solvents in liquid waxes and cleaners.
    • Dust from fleece/wool application methods.
    • Fumes from heating grip waxes and klisters.
  • Action: Wear a respirator suitable for both particulates (dust) and organic vapors (fumes/solvents).
    • Look for respirators with P100 particulate filters combined with organic vapor cartridges.
    • Ensure a proper fit. Facial hair can prevent a good seal.
    • Replace filters and cartridges according to the manufacturer's recommendations or when you notice smell/taste breakthrough or increased breathing resistance.

3. Protect Your Eyes: Wear Safety Glasses ๐Ÿ‘“

  • Why? Dust, flying wax particles, and potential splashes from cleaners can irritate or injure your eyes.
  • Action: Always wear safety glasses or goggles. A full-face respirator also provides eye protection.

4. Protect Your Skin: Wear Gloves ๐Ÿงค

  • Why? Waxes and solvents contain chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or cause irritation.
  • Action: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile gloves are a common and effective choice). This keeps your hands clean and prevents direct skin contact with potentially harmful substances.

5. Maintain a Safe Wax Room Environment ๐Ÿšซ

  • Control Access: Only those actively involved in waxing should be in the immediate waxing area to minimize exposure for others.
  • No Food or Drink: Never eat, drink, smoke, or store food in the waxing area. This prevents accidental ingestion of harmful residues.
  • Cleanliness: Keep your workspace tidy. Clean up spills immediately and manage wax scrapings (see next point).

6. Handle Wax Waste Responsibly โ™ป๏ธ

  • Why? Wax shavings and dust contain the same chemicals you're protecting yourself from during application. Proper disposal protects the environment and prevents contamination.
  • Action:
    • Collect all wax shavings, dust, and used cleaning materials (paper towels, rags).
    • Place them promptly into a sealed plastic bag or designated waste container.
    • Dispose of according to local regulations. (Note: Regulations for fluorinated wax disposal might be stricter in some areas โ€“ check local rules).

7. Control Your Iron Temperature ๐Ÿ”ฅ

  • Why? Overheating wax creates significantly more fumes and can damage your ski base.
  • Action: Always use the wax manufacturer's recommended temperature for your specific wax. Don't guess!

8. Handle Cleaners & Solvents with Extra Care ๐Ÿงช

  • Why? Base cleaners and liquid waxes often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are easily inhaled and can be flammable.
  • Action:
    • Use solvents and cleaners sparingly.
    • Ensure maximum ventilation when applying them.
    • Keep containers sealed when not in use.
    • Crucially: Keep solvents far away from heat sources like your waxing iron, space heaters, or open flames.

Your Health Comes First!

By consistently following these safety protocols, you protect yourself from potential respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health effects. Safe waxing allows you to focus on getting the best performance from your skis and fully enjoy your time on the snow.