How to Easily Repair Gouged Ski Bases at Home

If you’ve hit a rock or other obstacle on the slopes, leaving your skis with unsightly gouges in the base, don’t worry – you can fix them yourself with a few simple tools and some P-Tex. Follow these steps to get your skis back in pristine condition and ready to hit the mountain again.

Prepare the Base

Assess the Damage

First, take a close look at the damage to your ski base. If the gouge is shallow and doesn’t reach the edge or core of the ski, you can likely repair it yourself. However, if the damage is more severe, it’s best to take your skis to a professional shop for repair.

Gather Your Tools

To fix a gouged ski base, you’ll need the following supplies:

Ski or snowboard vise
Clean towels
Base cleaner
Rubbing alcohol
Metal scraper
P-Tex repair candle (black or clear)
Propane torch or butane lighter
Wire brush
Razor blade

Fill the Gouge

Apply the P-Tex

Using your propane torch or butane lighter, heat up the tip of the P-Tex candle until it’s flaming. Be careful to avoid any carbon buildup, as this can prevent the P-Tex from bonding properly.
Carefully hold the molten P-Tex over the gouge, starting at the far edge so it pools in the middle. Overfill the hole slightly, as the P-Tex will shrink as it cools.
If necessary, repeat the process for a second layer of P-Tex. Then, let the repair cool for about 15 minutes.

Smooth the Surface

Once the P-Tex has cooled, use a sharp metal scraper held at a 45-degree angle to carefully remove any excess material that’s sticking up above the ski base. Smooth the surface until it’s flush with the rest of the base.
Finally, apply a fresh coat of wax to the entire ski base and you’re ready to hit the slopes again!