2007-02-19 04:15:31 · 7 answers · asked by gonzaga_20 1 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports ➔ Snow Skiing
NO, scratches will not hurt a ski's (or snowboard's) performance. But if they're bad enough (deep enough) they will allow the base material to dry out, ruining the skis. P-tex is a way to fix them, but if you haven't done it before, you'll end up with convex bases (see below). Get them fixed at a shop - it should be about $30 (bases will need ground and re-waxed).
For ski performance, the important criteria are whether the base is level, side to side, and edge angles. You can check your bases with a simple straight edge. For edges, the manufacturer will recommend angles for your given ski, and a shop can check them or fix them.
2007-02-20 01:34:49 · answer #1 · answered by M3Owner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kind of depends on the scratches. Longer, deeper gouges in the petex will cause the ski to track in the direction of the gouge.
You say scratches though. If they are not deep at all, maybe you can barely fit a fingernail in it, won't have much adverse effect, but they are fairly easy to deal with. I use a base flattener to get rid of (or at least minimize) the small scratches.
Bigger scratches, or gouges, will need to be filled with petex. You can do this yourself also, but I usually take those to the shop. Basically, all you do is buy a stick of petex, and melt drops into the gouge until it is filled, then use a base flattener or a scraper and level it. I could never get a petex patch to stay in, which is why I take those to the shop.
If you have a core shot, or a gouge that goes all the way through the base petex and hits the wooden core of the ski, you should probably take that to a shop as well. Also, if the gouge is right next to the metal edge of the ski, that should also go to the shop, because what will happen is that another rock hitting that same spot may cause the edge to separate, usually trashing the ski.
When I was poor, I had a pair of old Rossi's where the edge was actually coming out at the tail of the ski. I carried duct tape with me, and taped it on every run...what a pain!
Hopefully that answered your question. Bottom line, it really depends on the scratches. But you don't want long and deep scratches, as those really will cause your ski to track in a different direction.
2007-02-19 04:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by powhound 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nice thing about skis is they can be worked on. Take your gear to your local ski shop and let the guys there take a look at the base. Small scratches are nothing to be too concerned with.
2007-02-19 05:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by Mike C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how bad the scratches are, and how seriously you ski. If you are a precision skier, some bad scratches might be felt. But for most recreational skiers, a scratch or 2 won't make a noticeable difference
2007-02-19 12:49:01 · answer #4 · answered by MLBfreek35 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah... just like on a snowboard.... i will not touch skis..... but.....
scratches on the bottom enamel..... will tread snow through and away from the board.... causing it to rock different ways..... kind of like tires......
you will have to patch it like a surfboard kind of..... or get it re-manufactured....
2007-02-19 04:21:18 · answer #5 · answered by jordanna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!!! My skis are quite beat up, and I don't notice anything.
2007-02-20 05:18:09 · answer #6 · answered by Leni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless its a major scratch it probably wont....make sure you keep them waxed
2007-02-19 13:56:57 · answer #7 · answered by extremeskier243 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋