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How to Make a Toboggan Fast

For those who grew up in snowy climates, there are few things as evocative of childhood as a toboggan and a snowy hill. On any given day, the combination of a good sled and a fast hill could represent Olympic glory, an F1 racer or even a rocket ship. Usually, on returning to the same hills as adults, it turns out that the toboggans weren't really going very fast. However, with a little bit of care and preparation, any toboggan can be made quicker.

Things You'll Need

Wooden toboggan
Rope
Hot, soapy water
Nylon scrubbing pad, or fine steel wool
Towels
Blow dryer or heat gun
Carpenter's plane, or sandpaper
Ski wax, paraffin or other wax
Rotary buffer or soft brush
Spray furniture polish or kitchen pan spray

Instructions

- 1
  Check the toboggan carefully at the beginning of each winter. Tighten its screws and bolts, and replace the rope if it's worn. Going fast isn't a good thing, if the toboggan falls apart in the process.
- 2
  Remove any existing finish from the bottom of the sled by scrubbing it with hot, soapy water and either a nylon scrubbing pad or fine steel wool.
- 3
  Dry the toboggan overnight in a warm place, or more quickly with towels and a blow dryer. Sand or plane away any damaged spots, which will create friction and slow the sled.
- 4
  Apply a coat of wax to the underside of the toboggan. Ski wax is best, but if you don't have it, you can use melted candle wax or paraffin. Spread across the entire underside of the toboggan, as evenly as you can manage. It will help if you warm the wood with a blow dryer or heat gun first.
- 5
  Buff the wood with a powered rotary buffer or a soft brush, until the surface is smooth, even and has a gentle sheen.
- 6
  Give the underside of the toboggan one more weapon against friction by spraying the prepared surface with furniture polish, or pan spray from your kitchen. Either will provide a further small speed boost.

Kids Games