Messages posted by : pavelski
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Salski is correct. Any MILD abrasive liquid can be used. If you have a stove with a glass top, there is a cleaner that is "milky" which can also be used.
If her car was not damaged , then it is correct to use on ski tops! Pavel |
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Ellistine,
Great ski carrier, but DO NOT carry skis in the manner shown in picture. That is with tips up !! Always carry tips down near car bumper since wind will "lift" skis up and one day the straps or suction cups will release" Away go the skis!!!!!! Also most skiers never expose their skis while driving to ski center. It is better to cover skis via a ski bag or ski wrap! I woild modify ski carrier to allow a ski bag! Pavel |
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Since the course has ended and participates who officially enrolled will soon receive their "diplomas" via snail mail ( if you sent me your addresses), I am opening up this section for all to send specific questions in regards to ski tuning.
Next ski year I am planning to expand this section to deal with; 1. Binding design and tune up 2. Vibration plate design and tune up 3. Boot design and tune up I hope to present every once in a while sites that have great "instructional" merit. If new tools come on market, I will also introduce them. I would like to thank all the skiers that sent me messages concerning your "special" problems. I hope I was able to help you. I would like also to publicly thanks the staff of this site for allowing me to share my knowledge with you and also to control the "spam" problems and to maintain the level of respect for each other. Rare are the sites that have mutual respect of divergent opinions and that do not degenerate to vulgarity. Thank you all! Remember your skis are your "platforms" for reaching emotional levels of pleasure that will last you a life time. Take care of them, and they will reward you with "natural highs" you have never thought possible" I will be waiting for your questions. Bonjour mes amis, Pavel |
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So nice to have skiers like you who "care" for your equipment.
I am referring to the very top edges and ski tips. Just gently use the sandpaper to even out the top edges. Take sandpaper and along ski top edge follow top edge in parallel strokes. Do not go up and down. Rather at 45 degrees from edge. As far as top ski scratches, I find this VIM product which is a mild liquid abrasive does wonders on the ski top skin. Do not use strong detergents since they will harm clear plastic coating that all skis have to protect graphics. Never use the SOS scrub pads you get for pot cleaning. They really make a mess. Hope this helps. PS Before you do any work on your skis, observe the damage you have done. Note how inside top edge of right and left ski ( tip area)is much more damaged than outside top area. That is why "smart" skiers have right and left ski. Every year they alternate them so that wear becomes even. Thus your 2007 right ski will now become your 2008 left ski! Seems skiers have a "favorite" side and skis are like children. They become jealous if you give more attention to another. Soon the "forgotten" one will not perform as well! Hope this will help! Ellistine, hope you like my definition of "SKI FEEL" on one of the messages in this site! Cheers, Pavel |
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We take for granted all that our skiing equipment does for us.
Often , very often we ,after a ski holiday just store the boots, skis poles in the basement, garage or closet! We forget them while they gather dust. Yet they are your best skiing friends. They carried you to emotional heights you never thought you could achieve. They boosted your ego in front of your friends. They "hide" all your errors. They helped you get passed that "dangerous" ski section. They created memories which you will relive this Summer. They do not deserve the dark cellar, the damp garage nor the corner section of your closet. If you truly appreciate skiing and want to in 2008 again find that "skiing feeling" show your love to your skiing friends. Take the time to wish them a good Summer by doing the following; Boots Take out liners and dry them Take the water in the bottom boot soles out Wipe shell with VIM or any mild detergent. Clean boot soles and wipe interface section with 400 sand grit paper Put a drop of thin lubricate oil in all clip screws Check cant side screws ( 90% are loose) Gently sprinkle some foot odor powder in boot liners while chanting a song of thanks to the pleasures they gave you. Finally find a place of honor in your ski section so that mice, spiders, ants.....will not find a home. Skis With mild VIM like cleaner clean top ski With 200 grit sandpaper sand top edge of all cuts, grooves etc... Reduce DIN value to 0 so that there is no tension on inner spring Tune ski edges and apply cheapest wax on ski edges so they will not rust Look very carefully at all top and side layers to see if there are any de-laminations. Tap the ski tips and thank them for the "support" and pleasure they gave you. Promise them that you will visit them at least once during the Summer to see how they are. Place them away from heat or dampness Poles Check baskets Check handles and straps If you have carbon fiber poles check bottom carbine tips. Often the tips cause "stress tears" in the bottom section of pole. They like to be close to their partners, the skis so lean them against the skis. Once all this is done sit down and think of all your ski trips. It is said that when you go on a ski trip you actually go on three trips. The first is when you plan all the activities The second is when you actually live this experience The third is when you remember all the pleasant memories. Enjoy this time. AND Make a list of the things you need for next year. Then visit ski shops, ski swaps, ski bazzars to find them. It will make Summer shorter. Take care of your skiing friends and next year they will again show you how much they love you too. It was a pleasure sharing with you my " skiing passions"! Hope to see you in ski shops, ski swaps this Summer. Respectfully your, Pavel |
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ellistine,
After I read all your comments about the "problems" in some European resorts it reminded me of a ski resort I visited where there was a broken ski with an axe on it hanging just before the ski line. A sign also was hanging just below this ski. It read , "last skier who pushed into line" No comment!!! It can be done!!!!! |
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We are getting near the end of the course and very soon you will be prepared to do all your tuning.
A few comments. The more precise and clean you are as you work, the less work you will have. Remember to do all work in gradual steps, never file or brush with radical tools. The golden rule in tuning is better 5 easy passes than one hard missed passed. If you make a "mistake" it is always more difficult repairing it! In "structuring" the base again go from coarse grind to fine grind. Fine for me is 400 grind. Soft Spring snow requires "deeper wider" grooves while winter hard snow requires narrower, closer grooves. If you can get hold of the Swix Ski Racing Preparationj booklet on page 6 you have an excellent illustration of the beveling to do. Pay particular note of the base beveling. Note that if you like a tight sharp turning ski such as in Slalom racing , there is NO base bevel! I know shops will argue with you. Just get them to do a FLAT STONE pass! Nothing else!! I never do a base bevel. It is up to you to decide. ( for the skiers that registered for the course I will send you via snail mail the booklets from Swix. Remember to keep a log of your work, so that you can refer to it. You now have the essentials in ski tuning. Now you must practice on old skis. Here is a hint that will make you the "respected skier on the hill". In one of my old posts I asked how do you recognize "Pro Skiers". You know the ones that do this for living; patrollers, ski instructors, racers, ski resort staff. Well one of the clues is how the skis are "prepared for the hill"! Once you have finished tuning and waxing skis, place some folded newspaper between tips and tails. I go to my local carpet store and get for free carpet ends ( leftovers). I cut them just the width of skis and about 20 cm. in length. Every time I go skiing , I have carpets sections between the skis. Yes I am fanatic, but then my skis are not dulled and wax base is perfect. That is why my skis give me so much pleasure. As you take off the ski straps and take the carpet sections off watch the looks of respect you will get from the pros. They know you take care of your skis just like they do! At the end of the day, have an old towel to wipe off skis so they will not rust! Many of you have sent me via PM requests for specific problems or issues. Feel free to do so in the future. As for the class that was enrolled, please send me your addresses so I can send you your "official" J2ski Ski Tuning Certificate which you have well earned. If ever you see an old dinosaur tuning a pair or two of skis at ski base with a SKS pro race tuner, stop and ask, "Pavel? " If you see a twinkle in his I, it is I! We will do a run or two together. Till then, see you next class, where we will share some secrets on how to "personalize" your boots, skis and bindings! It was a pleasure "meeting" you all! Pavel |
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Iloveski,
You have more power than you think. For several years I was hired by a large travel agency to "evaluate" ski resorts for potential tours. Several resorts were rejected due to poor security, poor teaching or poor service. A copy of my reports were sent to management. They do read and take into account such comments. A letter from you telling them that you will not return due to, poor ski line control and ..... will motivate them to make changes. Even if you just ski one week you do have right to "acceptable" skier control! Ask your tour operators to make reports. Refuse to visit resorts where they do not hire staff to control skier lines! When I "visit" European ski resorts to evaluate them, I insist on doing it "undercover" so I do not get special treatment. I also speak languages so I can understand the "negative" side comments clerks, bell-hops, ski instructors, managers make regarding tourists! A holiday should be filled with happiness and NO stress! Go to resorts that strive in making your ski holiday a success! Sheep are controlled better than some skiers in major ski resorts! Money motivates ski resorts to make changes!!!!! Write them. |
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