Has anyone used Zardoz

Have been looking at Zardoz and similar wipe on products for everyday use in-between waxings. Has anyone used these products and how well do they work? Are they worth it?

I used it my first year because it was easy. Since learning to properly wax my skis I would not use it again. Not that it is not good for a run or two but it just doesn't last. My bases didn't like it either. Maybe if it is applied after every couple runs it would be ok, but who is gonna do it?

It work pretty good in slushy conditions, layered over a warm wax.

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Yes, it is great with wet, mushy, heavy snow. I would only recommend it on top of other wax. It doesn't last too long. It also tends to block the absorption of wax so be sure to clean it off completely before putting on other wax.

I use it along with a decent multi-temp wax. Quicker and easier than rub on waxes. Agree with others that it is noticably more effective in warmer wetter snow. My strong impression is that it buys lots of extra life for a wax job (several days). On the tail end of a wax job if I am squeezing a day or two extra, using zardoz definitely seems to keep my bases happier - especially if conditions are abrasive/icy. I have not seen any evidence that it blocks any wax absorption. In fact, at least as of a year or two ago, their site specifically claimed it had no effect at all on wax absorption and they had several recipes for blending wax and zardoz. I like it enough to use it semi-regularly. I usually stock up on a couple of "disks" of it during end of season half price sales...

I had problems with sticking after using Zardoz, I'd recommend against it.

Zardoz is only effective in "wet" snow only. Us e the Felix process with it. Clean bases, appl Zardoz, drip on hot wax, iron in. Let cool a few hours. Scrape very good ( as always ) then cork the base or green fiber pad. Wipe off with clean dry cloth. Then apply another layer of Zardoz. Your skis will feel like you are on ball bearings. Of course if you use it on cold dry snow you will "stick"

google Felix process. I use it religously on wet warm snow. never stuck in my life with zardoz on wet snow so I have no idea what skierrzz is talking about.

Edit: found it.

http://www.zardoznotwax.com/felix-process.htm

Thanks for using our Zardoz product. I am the sales and marketing director and I wanted to jump in here. We have found from many users that in the colder, drier snow, you will find Zardoz will "stick." In wet, warm snow, Zardoz dominates. We created a low fluoro (white) hard wax for those drier, colder conditions because users where experiencing the sticking sensation.

Yes many of our testers  (patrolers, instructors, racers) have found that Zardoz can extend the life of the wax by several days.

Personally, I enjoy hot waxing my base. I love the process and the skill that it develops. However, when you are on a vacation and you get back to the condo after 3 or 4 days of hard skiing or boarding, you don't really want to spend an hour slumped over your skis with an iron. You want to kick back with a beer and talk about that epic mogul run. Zardoz lets me do that. I apply every day of a vacation to make sure my wax stays put.

I find that everyone has their preferred waxing process and I would never claim that Zardoz is the end all be all of waxes. I encourage you to try to use it in your own way that enhances your style and conditions on your slopes. Conditions change every day and you may find that one day is perfect for Zardoz and the next day is not. But, no matter what, it's better to have SOMETHING on your base rather than NOTHING!

Happy trails.

Welcome ZardozRep.

Any chance of samples?

Yeah, I hear they sell samples at most ski and board shops:) No, but seriously, you may be able to persuade a shop to let you have a single-use packet to try but they are only about $2.50 if you had to buy them. We recently upgraded the single-use packets to contain more of the secret sauce so you'll get a little more mileage out of them now.

ZardozRep, I have the fluid, I was asking about the white and blue solids.

Skiing in March with warm days and wet snow by afternoon its amazing stuff. Its very noticable after you apply it how much better the skis glide. I apply it monrning before starting and after lunch, that appears to work for me

BUT the wax underneath it can make a big difference. I normally use Dominator Zoom, but in Alpe D'Huez last march the snow was +3 degrees and the dominator stuck like glue, and the Zardoz only helped a little. Rewaxed with Toko Wide range and was much better, The Zardoz then made a huge difference (on the good side)

Never yet found it not to help a little even on cold days but in warmer conditions its worth its weight in gold

Here is a variation on the Felix Process which was submitted by one of our Pro Reps, Sean Hayes.

This is a version of the "FELIX PROCESS" found on the ZardozNOTwax website:

This unique and unorthodox process will greatly increase the longevity of your hotwax, it broadens the temperature range and it's fast!  Initially it may take a little more time to apply, but ultimately you will save time because, you will not need to wax again for at least two weeks of very hard riding!

After this initial process you will only need to touch up your base throughout the season. 

1.) Prepare or clean your base…  hotscraping is the best.  

2.) Apply a liberal coat of Zardoz and prepare to hotwax.  Always apply the Zardoz before and during hotwaxing.

3.) For the base coat begin hotwaxing with a good base wax (soft wax).  I’ve found that nonflouro or hydrocarbon waxes perform much better with Zardoz than fluoro waxes.                                                        

The key to the waxes longevity in this process is continuous warming of the wax, allowing it to penetrate deeply into the base.  You should be working the wax into the base for up to 20 min or more, being careful not to overheat the base.  During this time apply Zardoz 2-3x’s intermittently, you may need to let the wax cool a bit before applying the Zardoz. 

The wax will begin to penetrate into your base and become thin and a bit gummy.  This gumminess is good, this is when the wax begins to change it’s structure.  You should begin to easily see the base structure as the iron passes over it.  Continue to slowly work the wax into your base remembering to add Zardoz. 

4.) Now begin applying the hotwax for the snow conditions.  Non fluoro colder hard waxes work better, even in warm snow conditions…  I’m using a 5* and colder graphite wax for all conditions, ranging from below 0* Jackson Hole to 65* SoCal springtime slush.  This is a fast setup, faster than any wax or speed additive I’ve used in any condition.

Using the same process as above, (see step # 3) repeat step # 4 as many times as you'd like, to saturate the base with Zardoz and hotwax, (world cup skiers do this up to 150x's)... 2 or more x’s with this process will give you a very hard and fast base lasting up to two weeks or more of hard riding. 

5.) When you’re ready to finish, after the wax has penetrated the base and has become very thin and a bit gummy…  stop and let your base cool completely. 

6.) Begin to scrape the base (the wax should be very hard) leaving a thin layer of hard wax filling in the base structure.  I’ve found that a Burton tri scraper works best at leaving an even layer of wax behind.  Buff this thin layer with a cloth (cotton T-shirts work best).  The longer you buff/polish the faster the base will be.   I do this for 5 min or more.  You're looking for a hard, flat, smooth and shiny base.  If you’re good, you will see your reflection! 

IMPORTANT:  When using ZardozNOTwax DO NOT structure, brush or use a fibertex pad on your base.  A flat, smooth and shiny base provides Zardoz contact with the snow, taking advantage of Zardoz’ extreme hydrophobic nature and the extreme hardness of the new wax.  Also, this process will work best if your base has a flat stone grind rather than a structured stone grind, yes, even in wet spring conditions!   

7.) When you’re ready to ride apply Zardoz if snow is wet or moist…  if snow is cold or dry leave  the base as it is.        

8.) Enjoy smokin’ all of your friends!

 I used Zardoz in wet, spring conditions in the Northeast and it worked great, especially when I'd hit those ski stopping puddles. Now I'm looking for "liquid teflon" that I can buy in bulk and avoid paying $14.95 for such a paltry amount. I think I found it in a liquid wax/protectant/lubricant boat product. I'll let you all know if it works. Of course, I'll have to wait for spring.

I use it now for at least 6 years and i do not want to do without it.

My proces looks a lot like the felix proces, but if possible i try to saturate my clean base with notwax before applying notwax liquid.
As soon as my bases are saturated i start the felix proces.

some notes:

• your base wax should still be the right choice for the temp, not sure take wax for colder conditions or mix it.
• Base prep should still be done as it should be done, fibertex hairs are  still anchoring in the snow if you have them.
• in contrast to the zardoz website, i prefer to have my base structured (medium). I flattened my base too much and found it less performing.
• I tend to ski in feb/march italy austria with either fresh or slush, but usuall higer temp. jan/feb this year might be a lot colder and give the mentioned issues.
• I am going to try the zardoz hot waxes this season to relpace the toko hotwax i used, so it will be interesting.
• An interesting observation maybe towards the people not happy / happy, i have only used them on Volant electra (black sintered) bases and not on extruded (white/colorless ones), Will be using them in jan/feb on a Volkl Grizzly with again a black base.
• The only problem i have so far is that you can not find all the Zardoz Products in the Netherlands.... In theory yes in practice no.