|
It has been shown by a competent scientist that the lubricating water film results from friction, not from pressure. Bare metal is not suitable because it conducts away the heat of friction. The fastest coating for skis is a fluorocarbon plastic known as "teflon," but it is suitable only for downhill running; because no wax adheres to it. It is ideal for the skis used on arctic airplanes. Wet new snow: This is the most difficult on which to achieve both good climbing and running. "Swix" red is as good as any. It is also excellent for paste-on sealskins. Corn snow, spring snow: The coarsely granular snow that has been repeatedly frozen hard at night and thawed loose during the day permits both climbing and running on skis coated with a relatively thick layer, about 1/8 inch, of a "Klister," composed of a sticky, stiff fluid tnat becomes indented and tough when climbing but smooths out after running a short distance. A good klister can be made by melting together pine tar and shellac, as for the base wax described earlier, but with a smaller portion of shellac. It must indent slowly after cooling in the refrigerator. The "Swix" klisters are nearly colorless, and do not stain hands and clothing. Klisters should be applied with a putty knife. |
|||
|
