Restoration & Refinishing—Skis and Bindings

Racing Bindings:

We can repair and/or restore most of the racing bindings out there including:

• Original Murdoch bindings starting in the early sixties up to and including the Murdoch Endo Z-Ski bindings of the early eighties.
• The subsequent Australian DC Bindings up to current manufacture.
• The newer Australian “Wedge” racing bindings.
• The old classic Andy Clark (“Arizona”) bindings (for you nostalgia buffs)

The Binding Restoration Process:

These bindings were primarily made from neoprene sheet of various compounds.  While cracking and tears are obvious indications of needed repairs, it is also important to note that as these compounds age over the years, they have a tendency to harden.  As the rubber increases in hardness, the bindings become less pliable and resilient which can not only make them difficult to get into, but can also make release difficult and therefore dangerous.

Restoration or repair can vary based on the user’s needs or desires.  Services can include:

• Complete disassembly
• Re-conditioning of raw aluminum and/or stainless parts with buff polishing.
• Stripping and re-coating powder-coated hardware in choice of colors.
• Replacement of damaged rubber parts, or complete replacement of all rubber parts.
• Reassembly using new hardware/fasteners.
• Additionally, in many cases, the bindings can be re-sized with altered rubber sizes to either tighten or loosen the fit.

The Classic Wood Skis:

One of the amazing features of the classic all-wood skis was that unlike the subsequent fiberglass skis of most other manufacturers, the well-made all-wood skis live for generations.

For those of you who have one of the classic wood skis from the Sixties through the Eighties, we offer full restoration and refinishing services to return the ski to equivalent-to-new condition.

Additionally, for those of you who have a restored classic wood boat (a Chris Craft, for example) who want a period-correct ski for show or display purposes, we have several of these restored classics available for sale.

Racing Skis:

Murdoch:

We can restore the classic all-wood Murdoch racing skis ranging from the early sixties up to and including the Endo Z-Ski era.

These skis have their own idiosyncrasies that require care and special processes to restore.

• The original coating was “Fullerplast” which was a special rock-hard sealer (an alkyd-based catalyzed varnish) which is very difficult to remove requiring special techniques. (it was originally developed for Fender Guitars)
• To properly re-finish the ski, the bedded flush-mount fin must be removed. Again, special techniques are required to prevent damage to either the ski or the fin.
• The rippled edges require special treatment to remove the old finish without altering their hydrodynamic characteristics.

Slalom Skis—Maherajah, Cut-n-Jump, O’Brien, etc.

Our Wood Ski Restoration Process:

• The ski is completely disassembled. The finish is stripped right down to bare wood revealing the original beauty of Eastern White Ash and Mahogany wood grains.
• We then apply three coats of catalyzed polyurethane sealer followed by three sprayed-on hand-rubbed coats of a special polyester top coat for maximum UV resistance.
• The fin is refurbished which generally requires straightening and buff polishing to its original mirror luster.

Call for estimate or available stock – Shop 650.273.2113