For optimal ski performance, your ski bases need to be conditioned before you hit the snow. New or newly stoneground skis especially require some time at the wax bench. As Finn Sisu’s Tom Novak describes, "Stonegrinding removes the accumulated wax layer of the ski base, which requires you to prep the bases again as you did when they were new. We use Fast Wax Base Prep exclusively for this." Here’s how you can get your skis up to speed like the pros:

1. Start with Fast Wax Ski Wax Base Prep
   Properly prepared ski bases accept and retain wax more effectively. Fast Wax Base Prep contains a microwax formula which penetrates the ski base more deeply than standard hydrocarbon wax. "Think of a forest, with standard wax as the trees, and Base Prep as the bushes," explains Dan Meyer, creator of the innovative Base Prep product. "The smaller, more widespread structure of the bushes allows them to fill a wider ground area." Base Prep’s smaller molecule structure also binds to your subsequent wax layers (the more durable "trees") to improve adhesion and extend wear. 
   Fast Wax Base Prep is appreciated for its ease of use. Simply drip this soft wax onto your skis using a warm iron, melt it in with a pass of the warm iron, and cool. Scrape off and repeat, using a nylon brush to clean your skis after the last pass. The time factor? Ideally, you will do this at least 6 times on new or stoneground skis. Many area racers double that number. 

2. Progress to a harder wax 
   Once you are satisfied with your Base Prep efforts, switch to a hydrocarbon wax such as Fast Wax Sport Wax. This provides the durable layer you need for snow. Start with a warmer temperature wax (Red Sport Wax, 22 to 32 F) and repeat the drip/iron/cool/scrape/brush process at least twice. You may want to stop here until you’re ready to ski; if your first outing is in this temperature range you’re ready to go! If not, move to the next coldest temperature range (Blue Sport Wax, 12 to 28 F) and repeat the waxing process at least once. If the weather dictates, go on to the next coldest temperature range(Green, -5 to 15 F) 
   Most racers find that their new skis do not reach optimal speed until they have had the opportunity to wax with the colder waxes (Blue, Green) several times. The key is to keep waxing those skis as often as you can. 

3. Trusty "old" skis that have been waxed many times generally just need a cleaning. This is best done by melting Base Prep onto them, ironing, and then scraping while warm. The warm Base Prep lifts old wax out as you scrape, without drying your bases, and conditions them at the same time. Brush and apply the Sport Wax you will use for your skiing conditions. 
   In addition to preparing ski bases, Fast Wax Base Prep is an excellent cleaning product as described above, and the perfect cover wax for storage and travel. It’s available in 80 gram packages, or in a convenient 240 gram Base Prep Kit that includes 3 bars of Base Prep, 2 bars of Red Sport Wax and 1 bar of Blue Sport Wax. All packages include waxing instructions. 500 gram Shop Bars of Fast Wax Base Prep are also available for shop or team use.