Brush and Tool Guide

Brush and Tool Guide

We go over the basics of the most popular tools used in our shop for racing and general skiing, using the proper tools goes a long way when keeping your gear in great shape.

Hand Brush Lineup

White Nylon - Typically white nylon brushes have slightly stiffer bristles, and are very good at polishing colder waxes and melt-on products. This is used as the final brush to clean and polish skis. It is safe to use in both directions. Good brushes to look at are the Rex Nylon Brush or the Swix White Nylon Brush.

Blue Nylon - Best brush for liquid wax removal and polishing. Firm enough to remove the liquids in 1 easy brushing step. Also used as a general polishing brush for iron-on waxes. Safe to use in both directions. Good brushes to look at are the Red Creek Blue Nylon or the Rex Nylon Brush Soft.

Horsehair - This horsehair brush is another favorite of ours here at the shop. This horsehair brush is firm enough for colder wax removal after a metal brush and soft enough to be used for warmer waxes. This brush is best used on harder melt-on waxes after using a metal brush, but prior to polishing with a nylon brush. Preferable to be used in one direction for control or can be used to scrub. Good brushes to look at are the Rex Horsehair Brush or the Red Creek Horsehair Brush.

Brass/Copper/Bronze Fine - A soft and fine metal brush that is commonly used to clean and open the structure before applying waxes using glide cleaners. This is less abrasive than steel brushes. It can also be used for removing melt-on wax as well after scraping. Mark and use in one direction. Good brushes to look at are the Rex Brass Brush Fine or the Swix Medium Bronze Brush.

Steel Fine - An intermediate steel brush for pulling out melt-on waxes. It is typically more affordable than a Steel Extra Fine Brush Mark. Mark and use in one direction. A Good brush to look at is the Rex Stainless Steel Brush.

Steel Extra Fine - The brush of choice for Pioneer Midwest service, we use this as a first brush after scraping for a number of melt-on waxes and powders. This brush is very efficient and does not need to be used much to remove wax. Minimize the pressure and mark and use in one direction. Good brushes to look at are the Red Creek Steel Ultra Fine Brush or the Swix Extra Fine Steel Brush.

Other Tools

Roto Brushes - These help make life simpler by increasing overall brushing efficiency. Spend less time brushing, while getting a better end product. Brushes still follow the same guidelines as the hand brushes listed above. Roto brushes should be used with care, and metal brushes should be marked with a rotational direction. A great entry level roto brush system to get into is the Rex Roto Handle and Rex Soft Blue + Horsehair 140mm Brush

Roto Wool - Roto wool tools have become an increasingly important part of applying non-fluoro race waxes. They can be used in the cleaning of any melt-on waxes, or to help apply liquid or roto-block products. These are best used at high speed. We recommend additional wools for different temperature ranges (i.e. warm waxes, medium waxes, and cold waxes). Good roto wool products to look at are the Rex Roto Wool 100mm or the Star Roto Fleece 22mm.

Irons - Irons are a necessary tool for any melt on waxes. Getting an iron that will allow you to safely and efficiently melt wax into a ski base is important. THings to look for in a good iron is a digital display, thicker plate, and high max temperature. Good irons to look at are the Rex Waxing Iron or the Star Digital Waxing Iron.

Hand Cork - Used in many applications to increase durability and performance. Excellent when used for liquid waxes after they have dried to generate heat and form a better bond. You can use the cork to help increase durability, and the felt to help polish the liquid or rub on waxes. Good Hand Corks to look at are the Swix Natural Cork with Felt or the Rex Cork with Felt.

Scrapers - There are two main type of scrapers, thin and thick. Thinner scrapers are usually ~3mm thick and allow you to bend the scraper to match skis that might not be perfectly flat. You are at risk of warping your skis if you are improperly using a thin scraper. Thicker scrapers are generally ~5mm thick and are great for those hot waxing for the first time. Thick scrapers are more difficult to bend and keep a ski flat longer. Good options to look at are the Red Creek 3mm or the Rex Scraper.

Groove Scraper - Simple groove pen is used to remove wax from the grove using either side based on width and edges using the crease. Good options to look at are the Red Creek Groove Scraper or the Toko Groove Pen.