I have seen two different references to a chemical that you can spray on the standing rigging hardware that will help expose any hairline cracks. The two product names I have see are "Rig Check" and "Ardrox". However, I have been unable to find anything on the Web about either product. Does anyone know of this product and where to get it? Does it really work? Bob Boller Benicia, California
Chemical for finding cracks in standing rigging
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I'd imagine any type of dye penetrant will work.
As an aircraft mechanic, dye-pen inspection is one of the most common and easiest methods of NDT. The way it works is spray on the dye, let it soak, wipe it off and spray on the developer. The developer is white and contrasts the dye which was left behind in the cracks. I've never heard of the brand names you've mentioned but I'm sure any type of dye-pen should work. The easiest way I've found to check standing rigging is just with a magnifying glass.
As an aircraft mechanic, dye-pen inspection is one of the most common and easiest methods of NDT. The way it works is spray on the dye, let it soak, wipe it off and spray on the developer. The developer is white and contrasts the dye which was left behind in the cracks. I've never heard of the brand names you've mentioned but I'm sure any type of dye-pen should work. The easiest way I've found to check standing rigging is just with a magnifying glass.
Home Made
You can make your own. Get a bottle of penetrating oil and a little bottle of red food dye. Put the red dye in the penetrating oil and get it good and red. Paint it on your rigging and let it sit for a couple of minutes then wipe it off. Now dust the fitting with talcum powder and wait for the dye to creep into the powder. If red streaks form they represent underlying cracks. "Real" dye penetrant testing has a UV fluorescing dye which you can see with a "black" light.
You can make your own. Get a bottle of penetrating oil and a little bottle of red food dye. Put the red dye in the penetrating oil and get it good and red. Paint it on your rigging and let it sit for a couple of minutes then wipe it off. Now dust the fitting with talcum powder and wait for the dye to creep into the powder. If red streaks form they represent underlying cracks. "Real" dye penetrant testing has a UV fluorescing dye which you can see with a "black" light.
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