HOW CAN THE SLEDGE BE MAINTAINED IN WINTER?

A winter with snow is the hope of all children, but adults also like to go for a ride on the sledge. Speeding down the slope with the sledge is fun for young and old alike. Of course, the use demands this in the long term. So in order to enjoy driving pleasure for as long as possible, you have to take good care of your sled. After spending the whole day outside, you should clean it in the evening. Regular grinding, greasing and glazing also help ensure that the sled will last for several years. This way you can enjoy it for a long time and save money that you would have had to spend on a new sled. To maintain the sled, you only have to take a few steps into account that you can easily do yourself.

Things you will need

Step 1

TO CLEAN

Actually, you should take care of the sled after each use. Proper care begins with cleaning the sled regularly so that dirt does not permanently damage the sled. It is therefore advisable to wipe this at least with a dry cloth after every sled tour. If the sledge is used more often, it should also be cleaned with soap and water. In this way, even stubborn dirt is loosened and the sled is not clogged. All-purpose cleaners can also be used for serious soiling that was left over from the previous season. However, the more regularly you can maintain and clean the sled, the less chemical cleaners are necessary.

Step 2

MAINTAIN AND SHARPEN THE SLED

In order to be able to maintain the sled permanently, the runners should also be grinded at regular intervals, but at least when starting again. Due to the frequent use, the runners of the sled also dull over the long term and worsen the driving relationship. In order to counteract this, the grinding of the runners should not be underestimated. Anyone who owns a grinding machine can easily take on this task themselves. Often, however, you have the option of having this done in a specialist shop. If both are not possible, you can also help with sandpaper or a craft file. It is only important that the sides of the runners are sharp enough again and that there are no scratches or dents on them. These are quickly created by stones or other residues that you drive over in the snow.

Step 3

PREVENT RUST

In order to prevent rust and to maintain the slide, you should not only clean the slide, but also lubricate it. As with skis, waxing is suitable for this. This is spread over the runners with a wax iron or a lighter and rubbed in. In an emergency, you can rub the sledge with a candle and wax the runners in this way. In addition, the runners can also be protected from rust with the WD-40 multifunctional product. However, you should only use this when storing the sled so that it is not spread out in the snow every time you drive. When stored, however, it protects against moisture and prevents dirt from settling quickly.

Step 4

PROTECT WOOD FROM WEATHERING

The wetness of the snow also affects the wood, which is why it is even more important to take care of the sledge. If you neglect to take care of the sled, it can happen that the glaze splinters off the sled. Before storage, it is therefore worthwhile to sand down the wood and re-glaze it if necessary. You can get the right glaze in every hardware store. Then you coat the sledge with it and let it soak into the wood and dry. In this way, the sledge is optimally protected from moisture during storage and when driving in the snow.

Step 5

STORE PROPERLY

To ensure that the sled is optimally stored, it should be stored in a dry place. The basement or attic are particularly suitable for this. However, since the sledge is usually stored in summer, the shed or garage are also ideal. Here, however, you should make sure that the sled is protected from the rain. So you can safely store the sledge in summer until the next winter.

CONCLUSION

Maintaining the sledge is particularly important when it is used frequently in winter. Proper care consists in drying the sled after each use and cleaning it if necessary. You should also take care of the sled's runners and wood. For this you should grind and wax the runners and additionally lubricate them with the WD-40 multifunctional product before storage. So you are optimally protected from wetness in spring and autumn. The wood should also be sanded down from time to time and protected with a new layer of glaze. So you can maintain the sled permanently and enjoy it for a long time. Basically, the more you use the sled, the more often and more thoroughly you should care for the sled. After all, an intact sled means even more driving pleasure.

The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.