Basic Toboggan Care
Our toboggans and pull sleds are crafted from high quality hardwoods to ensure their longevity. However, by taking a few steps, one can easily maintain the fresh appearance and durability of these family heirlooms.
The toboggans and pull sleds carefully crafted by Sachs Woodworks are immediately ready for the snow! No assembly or waxing required; simply get outside and enjoy the winter! Once your sled has been used, a few general upkeep steps will help ensure that the high-quality hardwood sleds maintain their fresh appearance and durability for years to come.
First Uses
The very first step in increasing the performance of each sled is to just use it! Many people are unaware that wooden sleds require a “breaking in” period to be at their best. A wooden toboggan won’t win any races out of the gate and may even feel “sticky” going downhill at first. However, as the sled slides over the snow, the fine crystals will actually polish the wood better than any fine sandpaper, and after a day or two of heavy use that sticky feeling will disappear and the toboggan will glide freely!
After the toboggan or pull sled has been broken in, a wax coating can be applied to a clean surface if desired. Ski or snowboard wax will perform the best as these are designed for the snow, though users have reported success using other types of waxes.
After Use Maintenance
Bring the sleds into a dry environment after their time in the snow and wipe any remaining moisture, grime, or salt off the sleds. Place the sleds so that it is not in direct contact with the ground or concrete and is out of direct sunlight.
Seasonal Refresh and Long-term Storage
Once winter has passed, give the sleds a final clean and inspect the sleds for any damage that can be repaired. Also verify that the ropes are in good condition and give the screws an occasional check to make sure nothing is loose. Completing these checks and cleaning the sleds can also be done again at the end of summer to prepare for the next winter! Finally, store the sleds out of direct sunlight and contact with the ground.
Repairs and Refinishing
Over time all toboggans will experience wearing to some degree, but this is nothing to fret over! Rough patches, scratches, and splinters can be sanded out with 80 and 120/150 grit sandpaper until the wood is smooth to the touch. Minor cracks can be sealed with a water-resistant glue (like Titebond III) and clamped. Glue squeeze-out should then be sanded smooth and re-oiled.
Spots that have been sanded, or anything dry or splotchy locations, will then benefit from a fresh coat of oil. It won’t ever hurt re-oil the sleds every few or so to keep them fresh and well protected. We finish our sleds with Tung oil and recommend that for all touch-ups and repairs, specifically, a pure Tung oil and not a similar mixture (e.g. Danish oil). We use and would recommend the Half & Half Citrus Tung Oil from RMP Finishes (previously The Real Milk Paint Company).
In cases where more serious damage has occurred, such as broken slats or skis, that you do not feel comfortable repairing, please contact us for replacement parts or repair work. See our Repair policy for full details, but in brief: We stand up our sleds and their heirloom quality. We will always repair our sleds to their original quality at the cost of shipping at the most.
Thank you and happy sledding!