Lesson 7 : Structuring Base

I just can not leave without giving you all homework!

Objective: To develop competence in "sanding" P-tex base with various grits and tools.



My most difficult moment in learning to tune my skis was using sanding paper on ski base! The base was so beautiful, shining, even and smooth. Many years ago it was a "prestige" to have the most "reflective" ,even base! You spend hours polishing it thinking that if it was like a mirror it would go faster! Less resistance!

I felt I was damaging my skis! Just did not seem right! Spend many sleepless nights wondering if all that sanding would result in not having a base!

I had all these negative thoughts until I saw a ski base after a day of skiing under a microscope! Huge grooves, long strands of plastic here and there, criss-crossed valleys with boulders! Just skiing hard caused many many grooves.

The other reason I was uneasy was that I was not sure how to do this, very much afraid to "damage" those great skis! Then a ski shop using a electric sander belt DID go to the core! That was it! I had to learn!

It really is not difficult if you follow some basic guidelines!

You must never,,, but never forget is: less is best!

I repeat....less is best!

That means do all work slowly and gradually! In stages!
Do not expect to have perfect base right away after first pass!

Here are two examples which may help you!

One is from my girl who has a Spa is trying for years to get me to have the "all day special" Seems when you "prepare" you face there is a 15 stage process with ; opening the pores, then using special gel ( from seaweeds) a "purification" period, etc.... I got the whole lecture! At the end you get this "new beautiful face"! Each step has its goal! Each step prepares the face for that final "Hollywood" look! So it is with ski base prep!


The other example is using plaster joints. You know those gybrock sheets that you place on walls. You have to somehow hide the joints! If you know anything about this , you know that the ends are also beveled! You must fill in the ends with plaster! You can not do this in one step!

If you are good you can do it in three steps with very little sanding! If you are a beginner ( which we all are at one point) you will have at least 15 steps ( like your face) much dust and uneveness!

Each time you do it you will be better. You will get the "feel" of the tool used. You will see how each step makes the base better!

That is your homework while I am away!

Take that old ski! Make 20mm. sections with electric tape ( place at 90 degrees from ski edges)! Using different sanding grits and sanding block gently take away those grooves on base! You will see that the coarse grade paper may do more damage than good! Note that!

Then try very fine grit! ( 200 -300)! You will discover that it get clogged fast and there is very little change to base!

Slowly you will learn that it is a gradual inter-play of rough to fine paper that makes the difference. Just like when a women first puts "foundations" cream, then X plus Y with a little of blush on! Each step compliments the other!

That is how you must think! Not I will do one pass and all scratches, grooves, cuts will disappear! NO!

You are , "making up" your ski base!

First clean it!

Then exam its pores and areas that need more work!

Always start with problem areas and gradually very gradually change grits to finner level!

Make even parallel strokes!

You are learning two things! How the various paper works with the P-tex and how much pressure and how may passes you must do!

This is very valuable since when we get to repair work, that is filling in huge hole or "valley" you will need to do same final work!

It really is very much like cosmetic work!
Patience and step by step!

I can give you now your final exam!
It will be to make a deep cut INTO the P-tex, then you will have to "fill-in" this crater , level it with special tool that you do not have yet and then sand it! A great tuner will do such a great job that you can not see damage!

Practice! practice! Make that face,,,sorry that base beautiful!

See you soon!