Varnishing 04/05 Gotama Sidewalls

Fisted By Ullr* · 10-23-2006, 10:21 PM

Hey Guys,

Just picked-up a pair of 04/05 Gotama's with the wood side walls. I know they get a little thirsty, so has anybody stained or varnished or oiled the sidewalls to make them last longer. If so what did you use. I've just read through an hours worth of old posts with no mention of this idea. Am I crazy for even thinking this? Any thoughts, ideas much appreciated.

Thanks

**yooper** · 10-24-2006, 06:13 AM

I bet teak oil would work well.

**Teletori** · 10-24-2006, 06:58 AM

One thing that I imagine would work really well is WaxOil furniture protector.

Its as the name says oil with wax in it. Sand it a bit with at fine sandpaper while oiling it, so you open the pores and let it soak into the wood, and then polish after. The oil protect the wood, and the wax makes it more protective against water, and it will not dry out that quick and uneven.

I use this on my Oak dinner table, and its a lot better than just oil, that dries out quickly, or clear coat lacquer that will chip.

Just my 0,02$

**Samwich** · 10-24-2006, 06:43 PM

If I were you, I would sell those and buy a pair with ABS sidewalls. My 04/05s lasted 1 day before the sidewall cracked, allowing moisture into the core. BOTH skis delammed from toe to heel piece. The entire sandwich construction seperated. I hit one rock on the left ski, but nowhere near the delam. This was a very common problem for that particular ski.

Fisted By Ullr* · 10-24-2006, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I'll probably go the teak oil or wax oil route to see if the sidewalls can be preserved. I hear what your saying Samwich, but I got them for a good price so if they do fall apart I got what I paid for. Besides there just one ski in the quiver.

Cheers

**dorikin** · 10-25-2006, 12:11 PM

oil em up and let me know how it goes. I'm going the slather the sidewall with epoxy method right now...

**corn dog** · 10-25-2006, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by dorikin69

oil em up and let me know how it goes. I'm going the slather the sidewall with epoxy method right now...

I did that to a recently acquired pair too, pretty styling

**gforce** · 10-25-2006, 07:48 PM

I tried furniture paste wax on mine to repel any moisture. Still didn't work - they cracked. Marine grade epoxy has been holding up pretty well. JB weld lasted about 2 days.

**Vets** · 10-25-2006, 09:42 PM

Would Thompson's Water Seal do the trick?

**SLCMunchie** · 10-26-2006, 08:22 AM

i just threw some spar eurathane on mine. sanded the walls to open up the pores, let dry, sanded and applied again. seems to have worked well so far. the skis are pretty beat up though so i haven't skied them real hard. they have become rock skis now....