General instructions for ski waxing
Glide waxing
Always make sure the ski base is clean before you apply new wax.
It is important that the base is clean of dirt before you begin applying new wax. Applying wax onto a dirty base will bury the dirt deeper into the base, and effect the glide negatively. Brushing a dirty base is not a good idea either.
Begin with wiping the base clean with Rex Glide Cleaner. It cleanses the base effectively, and also leaves a very thin and hard layer of wax, that acts as a binder for subsequent wax layers. Wet a fiber cloth with Glide Cleaner, and wipe the base with until no visible dirt attaches to the fiber cloth. You can also scrub the base lightly with a fine steel brush, while the base is still wet with Glide Cleaner. Or brush through a wet fiber cloth. After cleaning, let Glide Cleaner dry for three minutes minimum. Brush the base well with a nylon brush, and now your ski base is ready for applying the wax of the day. On artificial snow, Glide Cleaner also glides well on its own.
For new or freshly ground skis
Liquid waxes have developed a lot over the last couple years. For skis with race-level stone grinding only the prementioned treatment with Glide Cleaner is needed as the base preparation. But for skis with gray-looking and "hairy" bases we recommend applying hot wax and scraping as the first layer after Glide Cleaner treatment. Scraping the hot waxed base with an acrylic scraper will remove the hair and make the base look shinier and also faster. With old bases, hot waxing also hides scratches better than liquid waxes.
If you want to ensure maximal durability for your base wax layers, apply layers of Rex LF Blue and LF Black hot wax after cleaning with Glide Cleaner, with brushing and scraping between layers. Hard waxes like Black are easier to scrape when still warm. More info about different waxing brushes is on their own product page.
Choosing the wax of the day
Waxing for the day begins with choosing a wax according to the temperature and snow type. Use the pdf guides on top of this page as a guideline. For fresh new snow and also old/artificial snow Rex has dedicated waxes from all product families: The new snow waxes are always black, and the old snow / artificial snow waxes are always pink/green. High-fluor waxes like Rex HF series offer the best glide properties, especially when the the snow is wet. On drier snow, modern non-fluorinated waxes like Rex RG-series and Rex G-series are also very competitive, even on World Cup level.
Applying liquid wax
Shake the bottle, apply the wax as instructed in the package and let dry as per instructions. Finish with a nylon brush.
Applying hot melt wax
Adjust the iron temperature as per the instructions in the wax package. Harder waxes like black and green require a higher temperature than softer waxes (i.e. yellow.) The temperature is correct when the wax melts, but creates smoke as little as possible.
With modern block glide waxes that are in many cases harder than their predecessors, our recommended method is to melt the wax block against the iron, and then quickly rub short strokes onto the base. Melt-rub-melt-rub-melt and so on. The melt and let drip onto base method works well with softer waxes, but with hard waxes the ironing phase will be difficult.
Smooth out the wax with iron, let cool down and scrape with an acrylic scraper. It is recommended to scrape off the wax while it is still slightly warm.
Brush first lightly with a more abrasive brush like fine steel or horsehair, and then finish with a nylon brush.
Glide wax coatings
For best glide, finish the glide wax with a fluorinated coating (Rex Future Fluor Block, powder or liquid) or N-Kinetic coating (N-Kinetic Cold or Warm). Using a top coat improves the water and dirt repellency of the ski base, and thus makes the skis faster and les prone to collecting dirt from the ski tracks.
Instructions for grip waxing
Preparations
To begin the grip waxing process, make sure you start with a clean grip zone. Start by cleaning the ski with a plastic scraper to remove excess wax. Then use wax remover and fiberlene to clean any residue left on the ski. Allow the ski to dry for 5-10 minutes before waxing. Roughen the grip zone (where your heel contacts the ski and measure forward 50-70 cm). Use sandpaper 80-120 grit.
Using base wax secures the grip
For maximum performance, a base wax layer should be added to improve adhesion. The easiest way to apply the binder is to use Rex Liquid Base Klister (#2901). Rex Liquid Base Klister works as the base layer for both klisters and harder kick wax. Rex also offer traditional Base Klisters (#290) and hard Base Wax (#190).
The wax of the day
The simplest method is to select a single wax for the days temperature and snow conditions. Use our pdf waxing guides (available on top of this page) as a guideline. Start by tearing away part of the wax tin and crayon a thin layer to the ski base. Smooth this out with a synthetic cork. Typically 3-5 coats are required, however this may vary based on the snow conditions and the skis camber. After each application you should use a synthetic cork to smooth out the wax. Also, each additional layer should be a couple of centimeters shorter than the one underneath, this creates a tapered effect and places the majority of wax under the high point of the ski, where it is needed.
The usual method is to build underlayers for example with Rex Blue, or for milder temperatures Rex Light Blue, and then cover with a wax that is especially well suited for the conditions of the day.
Rex basic grip waxes are suitable for most skiing conditions, when the snow is not very old or falling new snow. However, when the conditions are challenging or you are racing, we recommend as the final layer or on its own:
- For artificial snow, hard tracks, old and moist snow: Racing Service Line TK-1814 -fluor grip wax or N41 grip wax.
- For new snow: Racing Service Line 30GB grip wax or N21G grip wax.
- For hard, glazed, icy and worn tracks or long distances: PowerGrip grip waxes or klister when its really icy.
- N-line grip waxes for best possible combination of grip and glide properties.
Coating the grip waxing with Rex Hydrex 2 fluor liquid decreases stiction of dirt, and enhances the glide properties of wax without affecting grip.
Liquid Klisters and Liquid Grip waxes
Using Rex Liquid Grip Wax or Rex Liquid Klister is simple: Shake the bottle, apply to grip zone and let dry. With Liquid Grip wax, an smooth and thin layer of grip wax is easily achieved each time. If the grip is not strong enough, thicker layers are easier to achieve using Grip Tape or traditional kick wax instead. Liquid klisters can be also used on top of kick waxes for an additional boost whern the tracks are hard and glazed.
Grip Tape
Rex TapeGrip works on a wide temperature range and has an excellent abrasion resistance. Apply the tape as instructed in the package. For too stiff skis you can use an additional, slightly shorter layer of TapeGrip on top of the first one. You can also use other grip waxes on top of TapeGrip.
Instructions for klister waxing
Klisters are used when the conditions are either icy or slushy, and normal kick wax does not offer enough grip.
When choosing a klister, check the track, snow type, and current weather report for anticipated conditions. Rex klisters are legendary for working well in a variety of conditions, but be aware even the best klister’s can ice up if the conditions are not watched carefully!
Preparations
To begin the klister waxing process, make sure you start with a clean grip zone. Start by cleaning the ski with a plastic scraper to remove excess wax. Then use wax remover and fiberlene to clean any residue left on the ski. Allow the ski to dry for 5-10 minutes before waxing. Roughen the grip zone (where your heel contacts the ski and measure forward 50-70 cm). Use sandpaper 80-120 grit.
Applying klister
To apply klister, it is recommended you use a heat gun or iron and a synthetic cork. Also klister should be applied at room temperature. Squeeze the tube and apply “stripes” from the center groove about 3 cm apart. Smooth the klister with a heat gun or iron and finish with a synthetic cork. Warmer weather klister’s are very soft and you can apply them with your thumb. Before skiing, the skis need to sit outside for at least five minutes to cool the wax. If you do not allow the wax to cool and harden you run the risk of icing up the base.
For maximum durability and performance you can start by applying Rex Base Klister #290 (or Liquid Base Klister #2901) as a base layer. Once applied you need to allow this klister to cool (harden) before you move on to the wax choice of the day. A second coat of that days wax placed under the foot may be needed if the skis are very stiff.
Liquid klister
Rex Liquid Klisters make klister waxing super easy. Especially base klister is where our new liquid klister concept shines, because a thin and even layer of base klister can be achieved easily every time. Liquid klisters work great on classic skis with low wax chamber. For skis with a higher wax camber "klister skis", thicker layers can be more easily achieved using traditional klister but the base klister can still made with liquid. Liquid klisters can also easily be added on top of other waxes, even while skiing.
Coating with Hydrex for improved dirt pick-up resistance
To help prevent icing, it is highly recommended you apply a thin coat of Rex Hydrex 2 liquid over the last klister layer. This will not impede the klister’s ability to grip but will help prevent icing, the collection of dirt, and prevent the wax from migrating to the tail of the ski.
Mohair grip zone skis, Nanogrip skis and other no-wax skis
Mohair grip zone skis (skin skis)
Use Rex Skin Care #508 spray to clean the grip insert of the ski. Use Hydrex 2 fluor liquid for maximum dirt repellency and glide
Nanogrip and Optigrip skis
Apply Rex Anti-Ice Glider #507 to prevent icing. Anti-Ice Glider also enhances the glide properties of the ski.
Zero classic skis
Apply Rex Anti-Ice Glider #507 to prevent icing. For racing, use Rex Hydrex 2 fluorinated coating on grip zone.
Step grip zone skis
Low-cost waxfree skis that have a step grip zone often have a base material that differs from better skis. We recommend using Quick Glide on the glide zones. You can also use Rex Quick Grip on the grip zone to enhance the grip.
Waxing videos on our YouTube channel
On our YouTube channel you can view waxing videos that cover all our products and skill levels from beginners to world cup racers.