WAX PRINCIPLES
Waxes are lubricants applied into a base to reduce friction between base and snow. Three types of friction require specific lubrication.
Dry Friction
Occurs when dry snow granules come in contact with the ski base. The solution to enhance glide is to use a hydrocarbon wax that is slightly harder than the snow particles. If a wax is too soft the snow crystal will penetrate into the wax causing a grippy base. However, if the wax is too hard the coefficient of friction will be higher and the base will be less slippery.
Wet Friction
Wet friction occurs with a high moisture content snow creating suction between base and snow. A fluorocarbon additive is necessary to reduce the wet friction. However, it's important to not use too much fluorocarbon as it will increase the dry friction and reduce glide.
Electrostatic Friction
Static electricity is generated when a base runs on snow creating an electrostatic attraction between the ski and snow. Visualize the attraction of socks that have been in a clothes dryer. Graphite is commonly introduced into the base to reduce static electric. What Wax Brand is Fastest?
Each major brand proclaims victories, but they are really quite similar in their basic formulation. It's usually best to select one top brand and learn the characteristics of each of their products so you will make the correct choice for the particular conditions of the day.
Bouncing around to find a "miracle" wax is usually self defeating. We often hear of a chemist who has developed a "secret formula". Don't you believe the entire race world be using it if there were such a wax?
The vast majority of waxes used in international racing in alphabetical order are: Dominator, Swix and Toko.
Choosing one and following their recommendations will help to simplify your waxing program.
What Iron Temperature?
Set iron as cool as possible, but warm enough so wax easily melts. The iron will initially cool when coming into contact with the base as the cooler base material draws the heat from the iron. A high quality ski wax iron will hold a specific temperature much better than a household iron and make for more efficient waxing. 
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Is Fluorocarbon Faster?
While fluorocarbon is used in the most expensive waxes a tech must not fall into the trap of expecting more expense to always be faster. Fluorocarbon is a hydrophobic material
to repel moisture. In low humidity or low moisture a high fluorinated wax may reduce speed as it increases dry friction. Use a low or mid-fluoro wax if in doubt.
Fluorocarbon is added to hydrocarbon wax in varying proportions to suit the conditions. Wax companies don't list the exact amount of fluorocarbon, but the chart below is a general approximation.
Fluorocarbon Chart
Type
Lo-Flouro
Mid-Flouro
Hi-Flouro |
Flouro Amount
2-3%
3-7%
8-15% |
Humidity Range
under 35%
35-70% +
70% + |
Left ski is treated with basic hydrocarbon wax. Right ski has a high fluorinated wax that illustrates how the water "beads" and is repelled.
What is Base Prep Wax?
Base prep waxes were developed to quickly penetrate a base during initial ski preparation. They are a hydrocarbon based wax to condition and lubricate the base to prevent it from drying out. New skis normally come from the factory with insufficient lubrication and should definitely be prepped before use.
Base prep wax is also used as travel wax to iron into your base preventing exposure to air for extended periods that causes oxidizing. Leave wax unscraped until you are ready to prep for use.
How do I Prevent Base Burn?
Base burn is caused when abrasive snow rubs on a base with insufficent lubrication. The base becomes fuzzy and will not glide well. Remove fuzzy material by ironing in a hard wax and scraping with sharp scraper after wax has cooled.
Prevent base burn by fully saturating base with multiple waxing of medium to hard waxes and applying an extra cold powder in base near edges.
What is Hot Scraping?
Preferred method to clean race ski bases. Iron on soft hydrocarbon or Base Prep wax and scrape while wax is still liquid or soft. Impurities in base float to the surface and are removed by scraping. Repeat several times to purge all contamination and old wax.
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