New Moon News, Ski & Bike Tech Talk, Skiing/Rollerskiing

Skin Ski Treatments

Swix Skin Care Cold and Rex’s Skin Care

For the every-day, casual skier a more universal treatment is the way to go. Rex’s Skin Care, is an easy-to-use solvent that prevents ice build-up, enhances glide, and extends the longevity of the skins.

It can be used in temperatures from 0-40 degrees. The Swix N12C Skin Wax is recommended for all temperatures but is especially helpful on fresh, sticky snow around the freezing point. 

More serious racers or those looking for higher performance from their skins should check out the new Swix Skin Care trio or the racing level anti-ice below. These liquids are temperature specific so you can dial in your treatment.

The N17C Skin Care Cold was developed specifically to address friction reduction on fine-grained, crystalline, wind-blown snow. The Cold has a temp range of 14-28 degrees Fahrenheit. 

N17Z Skin Care Zero is ideal for the critical temperatures around the freezing point when snow begins to pack and ice on the skin fibers. 26-37 degrees Fahrenheit. 

For warmer, wetter snow types, try the N17W Skin Care Warm. Repels moisture and dirt. Great for late-season skiers. For conditions from 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

We also have a few pure fluoro options for high-level racers. All of these choices provide superb icing prevention in wet, sticky conditions.

Swix N2C Zero and Rex Hydrex 2.0 Liquid

Swix’s N2C Zero Pure Fluoro Spray is 100% fluoro to avoid icing on fresh, moist snow around freezing. Upside down applicator.

Rex Hydrex Liquid is also a great option in this category. It serves as both a glide and kick wax “booster” and reduces icing underfoot. 

Application is easy. Simply spray-on enough to wet the skin pattern and take your thumb or a cloth and gently wipe the excess from the skin. Be sure to go tip-to-tail as not to rough-up the hairs.

Some skin treatments are quite thin-bodied and clear. Others are a light coating to the skin giving it a white waxy residue like the Hydrex 2.0

Regardless, be sure to use only just enough to wet the hair fibers; over-application is of little added benefit.

Pay close attention to see if excess wax is being purged from the skin as you wipe it down. If so, try using less next time.

Swix N18 “Pro” Skin Ski Cleaner & Swix N16 Skin Ski Cleaner

And, do not forget to keep your bases clean with Swix Skin Cleaners, or Rex skin Cleaner.  Use after skiing to restore function of the micro-hairs found on skin ski patterns. This is vital for good kick in a full range of snow conditions. The cleaners will act as a “Shampoo” and the Skin Care will act as your “conditioner”.  The cleaners will clean the dirt, wax, and build-ups; whereas the skin care will help keep the skins kicking and gliding to the full potentia

Just like the skin waxes, spray-on skin pattern and use a cloth to wipe off the excess from tip to tail. Allow drying time before re-applying skin wax treatments. 

Cleaners are especially important after skiing on dirty tracks to keep the skin gripping well and gliding fast! Two spray options are offered – the N16 for day to day and recreational use and N18 “Pro Cleaner” for racing skis or deeper cleaning is needed. The Pro will break down accumulations of fluorinated klisters without damaging the skin or adhesive.

Hold on a minute, what about hot waxing tips and tails for glide? Yes yes yes! Glide waxing tips and tails of a waxless skin ski is a great idea, and many using high-end skin skis will hot wax them as they would with any waxable classic race ski. 

In cold conditions, waxing is especially important to reduce friction and maximize glide on slow, abrasive snow. In warmer snow conditions, wet snow conditions in particular, the new non-fluoro waxes and structure becomes ever more important.  Reducing the suction of warm wet snow is important to have fast skis in warm temps.

Don’t panic, though – if it’s inconvenient to hot wax or you don’t have the necessary waxing equipment, the wipe-on pastes and liquids discussed earlier work well for glide, also! Just apply sparingly glide zones – the smooth tip and tail sections – wipe smooth, let dry, and go skiing. Simple.

There you have it! Take care of your skin skis and they’ll take care of you! Feel free to give one of New Moon’s wax experts to help you select the right products for your skin skis at 800-754-8685.