So as i noted in another threat I created I'm getting my old Federal 1500s rigged onto my old cessna 140.

I'm unsure if I'm going to have time to get the entire ski bottoms redone with UMHW riveted on. I have seen UMHW tape available and it says it adhears well to aluminium and is used on conveyor lines and such for friction reduction.

I'm thinking of using a little Bondrite Ci33 acid aluminum cleaner on them and affixing the UMHW tape on the bottom of the ski to assist in not freezing... I know it will wear faster than full plastic bottom, but I can't see where it would hurt anything and if I don't taxi on the pavement don't see why it wouldn't hold up to a few ski flight weekends (MI winters seem pretty light lately so I'm not convinced I'll be on em much)...

Has anyone tried such a thing? Am I crazy for giving it a whirl?

I've only used narrower UHMW tape (from McMaster-Carr) for non-ski applications. It adheres pretty well and the material itself is tough and ought to hold up if you only ever taxi on clean soft snow. In your application I'd be worried about it peeling back from the tip and flapping around in-flight. It can start to dislodge if snow and ice get impacted (such as in a side-load during a taxiing turn), or from freeze-thaw if any moisture gets introduced where any voids exist, like around existing rivets, through-bolts and edges.

Skegs are another consideration. Whether UHMW or metal it's pretty common to have something on the bottom to keep your skis from drifting sideways. If you bolt on proper UHMW bases then it's easy to incorporates skegs. With UHMW tape on the bottoms I think your options will be limited.

BTW, when you get around to doing the bases properly, you can use flat head machine screws and nuts instead of rivets. The nuts and screw ends on the top side can be a life-saver because of the traction they provide whenever you step on an icy, snow-covered ski.

Cheers,

-DP

The previous owner of the skis I bought had removed the broken/worn out Teflon bottoms and had the bottoms sprayed with Line-X bed liner, with a smooth and glossy application. They look great and have held up very well. The skegs were re-installed over top the Line-X. The stuff is incredibly tough, doesn’t break in the cold and is just as slippery as Teflon. Might be an option to consider.

upnorth180 wrote:The previous owner of the skis I bought had removed the broken/worn out Teflon bottoms and had the bottoms sprayed with Line-X bed liner, with a smooth and glossy application. They look great and have held up very well. The skegs were re-installed over top the Line-X. The stuff is incredibly tough, doesn’t break in the cold and is just as slippery as Teflon. Might be an option to consider.

Isn't that stuff desginged to be "tacky" not slick??? Or is that in the application? interesting....

If graphite and aluminum got along better I have some great graphite infused paint I paint the snowblower chute with and elemiantes the clogs from anything sticking...

denalipilot wrote:I've only used narrower UHMW tape (from McMaster-Carr) for non-ski applications. It adheres pretty well and the material itself is tough and ought to hold up if you only ever taxi on clean soft snow. In your application I'd be worried about it peeling back from the tip and flapping around in-flight. It can start to dislodge if snow and ice get impacted (such as in a side-load during a taxiing turn), or from freeze-thaw if any moisture gets introduced where any voids exist, like around existing rivets, through-bolts and edges.

Skegs are another consideration. Whether UHMW or metal it's pretty common to have something on the bottom to keep your skis from drifting sideways. If you bolt on proper UHMW bases then it's easy to incorporates skegs. With UHMW tape on the bottoms I think your options will be limited.

BTW, when you get around to doing the bases properly, you can use flat head machine screws and nuts instead of rivets. The nuts and screw ends on the top side can be a life-saver because of the traction they provide whenever you step on an icy, snow-covered ski.

Cheers,

-DP

They have an aluminum skeg, I was going to run the tape down the skeg and the ski bottom on either side... But yea I can see how that could peal off... Assuming that would be more of nucance for the flight than a danger, but still... Yea I want to do the bottoms with UHMW and a UHMW skeg, but have ran out of time for the year... I suppose I'll be only venturing to pretty easy spots this year especially getting used to it, so I suppose if I shut down carefully and dont stay parked where I stopped, I can probably make it by on the aluminum for the year...

I remember years ago as in the mid 70’s we put a dark color teflon type tape on the bottom if our skis for the 185. It cam in a roll about 8 inches wide. Worked very well and did not peel off. I’m sorry but I cant remember the details or brand, it was over 40 years ago.

Kurt

[quote="Huckster79"]
Isn't that stuff desginged to be "tacky" not slick??? Or is that in the application? interesting....

I believe it’s the grit that they spray it with on a bed liner that gives it such good traction. The bottoms of my skis are glossy and slick. From what I understand, it all depends on the application as they can adjust the finish however you want. Although it’s commonly known for spray on bed liners, however it’s widely used in industry for protective liners on equipment, holding tanks, rollers, etc in mining, paper mills etc. If you have a Line X dealer nearby, see what they say.

There was a truck bed spray in liner that was shiny and very tough but when it was cold and had a bit of snow on it you had difficulty standing on it. A friend had it and no dam good for a truck box but it would likely work good for skis.

I’m going to do some research on that paint in bed liner thanks for the idea!

I have no experience at all with ski flying, but I have a Jetboat building company. All aluminum welded shallow water rock bangers.
We offer 2 options for the hull, one is the UHMW bolted to the hull for the folks that will really be banging in the rocks.
The other option is a paint on product called Gator Glide. We apply this to the aluminum hull of our boats and it is slimy slick, and dries to a hard protective finish. It is so slick that we tell our customers to not release the bow winch until the trailer is in the water.

https://gatorglide.com

I believe it would be a great solution for the bottom of a ski.

wtxdragger wrote:I have no experience at all with ski flying, but I have a Jetboat building company. All aluminum welded shallow water rock bangers.
We offer 2 options for the hull, one is the UHMW bolted to the hull for the folks that will really be banging in the rocks.
The other option is a paint on product called Gator Glide. We apply this to the aluminum hull of our boats and it is slimy slick, and dries to a hard protective finish. It is so slick that we tell our customers to not release the bow winch until the trailer is in the water.

https://gatorglide.com

I believe it would be a great solution for the bottom of a ski.

That’s a good idea. Wetlander is another product jet boater use. I’d bet you could find some at a jet boat shop in AK.

I haven’t used either one. I just keep my boat bottom polished smooth with river gravel.

wtxdragger wrote:I have no experience at all with ski flying, but I have a Jetboat building company. All aluminum welded shallow water rock bangers.
We offer 2 options for the hull, one is the UHMW bolted to the hull for the folks that will really be banging in the rocks.
The other option is a paint on product called Gator Glide. We apply this to the aluminum hull of our boats and it is slimy slick, and dries to a hard protective finish. It is so slick that we tell our customers to not release the bow winch until the trailer is in the water.

https://gatorglide.com

I believe it would be a great solution for the bottom of a ski.

Wow, great idea. I'm going to finish researching it. Looks like theres other brands of the same type thing too, that may work very well. I'd be thrilled if I could keep the look of the 40's era ski and not freeze down easy... I found one brand that sells two pints of the epoxy mix for a one quart total. That still is more than enough for two skis! I wouldn't have found it though had you not recommended the gatorglide! Thank you, thank you thank you.

I'll keep ya posted if I give it a whirl...