A sled waits all year for a few weeks of snow and then works flat out: wet snow, grit, de-icing salt on pavements and stones on the slope. The steel runners rust, the wooden seat darkens and splits, and loose bolts start to creak.
A little attention after every outing and a thorough service before storage will keep a sled going for many seasons. That is far cheaper than buying a new one every winter.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply WD-40 to the runners before sledging, only for storage, otherwise it ends up on the snow. Do not treat the seat or handles either. Take care with flames and hot wax when using a waxing iron or candle, and keep children away.
Step 1
Clean the sled after every outing
In the evening, once the sled has thawed, wipe it with a dry cloth so no moisture is left in the joints or on the metal. If you sledge often, especially along salted, gritted pavements, wash it with warm soapy water once a week and dry it thoroughly.
Remove old dirt left over from last season with a general-purpose cleaner. The more regularly you clean, the less chemistry you need.
Step 2
Sharpen and true the runners
Over time the runners go blunt and get scratched by stones, so the sled runs and steers worse. At least at the start of each season, sharpen them with a sander, a file or sandpaper, or have it done at a workshop.
The aim is for the runner edges to be straight and sharp again, free of scratches and dents.
Step 3
Wax the runners and protect them from rust
Like skis, runners benefit from waxing. Melt the wax with a waxing iron and rub it along the runners. In a pinch, rub them with an ordinary paraffin candle. Wax improves glide and repels moisture.
Before storage, treat the metal runners and frame with WD-40 Multi-Use: it displaces moisture, protects against rust and stops dirt bonding to the surface. If bolts or the folding mechanism have seized, apply WD-40 Specialist Penetrant, wait a few minutes and then undo them.
Step 4
Refinish the wooden parts
Wet snow gradually breaks down the protective finish, and the stain starts to flake. Before storage, sand the seat and slats, remove the dust and apply a fresh coat of wood stain or varnish from a DIY store.
Let it soak in and dry completely. The wood will then be protected both in storage and on the snow next winter.
Step 5
Store the sled properly over summer
Keep the sled somewhere dry: a storeroom, loft, shed or garage. The key is that rain cannot reach it and moisture does not linger. Do not stand the runners on bare concrete; put a wooden batten underneath.
Before the first snow, wipe the remaining WD-40 off the runners, check the bolts and wax them again.
Tip: Plastic snow tubes and sliders should also be wiped dry after use and stored out of the sun, while any metal bolts and screws on them will appreciate a drop of
WD-40 Multi-Use before summer storage.
What next
Wipe the sled after every outing, wax the runners each season and give it a full service before summer. The same WD-40 Multi-Use looks after skis, skates and other winter kit.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».