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How to Clean Klister Off Skis

Published in Ski Waxing Maintenance 2 mins read

Cleaning stubborn klister wax from your cross-country skis involves first removing the bulk of the wax, then cleaning off the residue. A key initial step, as demonstrated in ski cleaning processes, is using paper in conjunction with a scraper.

Step-by-Step Klister Removal

Removing klister can be a sticky task, but following a structured process makes it much more manageable.

Here is the typical method, starting with the technique mentioned in the reference:

  1. Apply Paper and Scrape: Cover the klister with special cleaning paper or other suitable absorbent paper. Using a scraper over the paper helps to lift and absorb the klister into the paper.
  2. Peel Off the Paper: As highlighted in ski cleaning guides, such as the process shown in the Swix School video segment, you then "use the scraper to peel off the paper as you can see almost all of the clister is removed from the skis brilliant isn't it." This action removes the majority of the klister from the ski base.
  3. Clean What's Left: After removing the bulk with paper and a scraper, "Now you need to clean what's left." This remaining residue requires a specific ski base cleaner or wax remover applied to a fiberlene or cleaning cloth. Gently wipe the base clean, ensuring all sticky residue is gone. You may need to repeat this step with fresh cleaner and cloth until the base is completely clean.

Removing the bulk of the klister with paper makes the final cleaning much easier and less messy. Ensure you clean the entire base thoroughly to prepare it for fresh glide or kick wax.