What is the main difference between the cheaper and more expensive liquid gliders

Normally the main difference is the life time / stability / wear resistance… in other words how long the improved gliding properties can last under given snow and weather conditions.

 

Normally the cheaper liquids last on the ski base for a much shorter time and therefore provide a much shorter improvement of gliding features.

 

Why? Most of the cheaper liquid gliders are solutions containing two main components: active ingredients dissolved in a carrier. The carrier is responsible for liquid state of the solution, enables application on the ski base in the liquid form. After application the carrier evaporates more or less fast and leaves only the solid component on the ski base.

 

The only way how this solid component sticks to the surface of the ski base is the mechanical retention in the microscopic irregularities and roughness of the ski base surfaces. The chemical bonds are extremely weak.

 

How cheaper liquid gliders can be identified?

 

·      You need to shake the bottle before you properly to mix the active ingredients with the carrier.

·      Often sponge head is used for application.

·      After application you can see a wet film on the ski base.

·      They dry quite fast (5 to 10 min.)

·      You need to brush them softly with nylon brush.

 

Normally the more expensive liquid gliders perform a bit better, but especially last longer, in other words provide the improved gliding features for a longer time.

 

Why? Most of the more expensive liquid gliders contain a component which actively disrupts the surface of the ski base in a gentle way, in other words which allows the active substances in the glider to soak or to be integrated into the ski base. In other words: more expensive gliders create their own irregularities or micro roughness for better integration into the ski base.

 

How more sophisticated liquid gliders can be identified (except for they are more expensive)?

 

·      Normally they are sprays – you spray them or apply with fleece.

·      After application they often create small bobbles on the surface.

·      They need more time to dry / be integrated (normally 25 min. to 30 min.)

·      Often they are not brushed.

How does the wax stick to the ski base? - Part. III.

We know that there are main principles how waxes are connected to the ski base. Some waxes penetrate into the inside molecular structure of the ski base which is accessible for waxes only if wax is in the liquid state and ski base is more flexible due to heat. Some waxes stay on the surface and “fill” only surface imperfections and roughness where waxes are partly retained in the “open” surface structure mechanically partly connected with weak chemical bonds.

Attention: surface imperfections and roughness cannot be confused with grinded or imprinted additional structure created by stone-grinding machines or manual structuring equipment. Surface imperfections are related to flat ski base here.

If wax molecules in liquid state enter once the inside molecular structure, fill the “closed” cavities inside the molecular structure of the ski base and change back from liquid to solid state, they cannot be removed again by either chemical agents or mechanical cleaning.

What does it mean?

This means that skis which have been waxed cannot be set back to “zero” status any more even if they have been used and cleaned chemically and mechanically.

What does it mean?

This means that any wax application is reacting / is mixed / is influenced by the wax molecules which remained “locked” inside the “closed” cavities inside the molecular structure of the ski base and which become liquid again as new wax layer is ironed.

What does it mean?

This means that after the very top layer of liquids / speeders / accelerators is worn off - which normally happens within a few hundred meters or a maximum of a few kilometers (depending on the snow type), your ski will glide on a mixture of old and newly applied waxes.

Even if you see a grey or white base surface, the cavities inside the molecular structure of the ski base are filled with old wax molecules which are locked in the closed cavities.