- Dec 27, 2009
- 82
I have dirty sails
- Thread starter Luckytd
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Never tried the prewash method before. Sounds like a good idea. I live in Nevada where the moisture/humidity is nil. What Mildew?
Too old smart, too late rich Fair Winds and Full Sails....
For woven dacron vs. laminated dacron ... look for the 'weave' of the sail fabric. Dacron cruising laminate - with very fine woven dacron 'taffeta' made from very fine diameter (denier) thread - 'usually' when held up to strong light will have distinct 'little squares' (1/4" X 1/4") showing through - do not clean !!!!!
No visible weave of fibers, then clearly a laminate.
For nylon used in light weight 'drifters', spinnakers, etc. will usually have the 'little squares' showing through and usually is dyed to various colors. Dont even 'think' to attempt to clean a nylon (rip-stop) sail with the methods I previously described.
All this is an 'experience' factor, so if you are unsure simply take to a sailmaker for the determination .... if you have any doubts. Usually small sails found on smaller boats are mede from woven dacron. Do NOT 'clean' any sail that is made from 'colored' materials with DIY methods; do NOT 'clean' any sail that has 'little squares' showing through the fabric.
No visible weave of fibers, then clearly a laminate.
For nylon used in light weight 'drifters', spinnakers, etc. will usually have the 'little squares' showing through and usually is dyed to various colors. Dont even 'think' to attempt to clean a nylon (rip-stop) sail with the methods I previously described.
All this is an 'experience' factor, so if you are unsure simply take to a sailmaker for the determination .... if you have any doubts. Usually small sails found on smaller boats are mede from woven dacron. Do NOT 'clean' any sail that is made from 'colored' materials with DIY methods; do NOT 'clean' any sail that has 'little squares' showing through the fabric.
Youre on!!!! Ive just placed a special order with WM for the Tuff-eNuff, of course you supply the wine, tapas, etc.
South coast of PR or Spanish Virgins would be better since they dont have draconian restrictions on importing four legged soft bristle scrub brushes and no need to send the 'scrub brush' for many weeks of expensive 'rabies quarantine' in the UK then 'reshipment', etc.
:-O
South coast of PR or Spanish Virgins would be better since they dont have draconian restrictions on importing four legged soft bristle scrub brushes and no need to send the 'scrub brush' for many weeks of expensive 'rabies quarantine' in the UK then 'reshipment', etc.
:-O
RichH...looking at a reply to your first post...Help me with the term "rational environmental law"
If you read that sentence VERY carefully, it's ok. He said that if people were smarter and more sane, we would have "more rational environmental law." He definitely didn't say our environmental laws are rational, and he only said they would be "more rational," not necessarily completely rational.
Harry
I use Stering Sails in Chicago. He does an excellent job at what I think is a reasonable cost. If you are in the Midwest you can take them to him. 773-523-4449. It is worth the cost of a pro to have all my sails checked by a professional sail maker, as he cleans, them for problems.
I had posted something longer, but shortened it to this. I spend part of my time working on enviromental regulations, from both sides. The reasoning is almost always based upon prior regulations, politics, and precident, and seldom on science. The science is only used to support the rhetoric.
Often, very often, a rational judge is our best friend.
Oxyclean is a powerful oxidizer. The 'water repellent compounds' of the sunbrella will probably be extracted although can be 'somewhat' restored by subsequent application of Apseal 303 "Fabric Guard" (Not "303 Fabric Protector") - recommended by the mfgr. of "sunbrella".
Sunbrella is a polyester and if 'dyed' (not white or 'light') is quite stable in UV. The manufacturer of Sunbrella recommends only 'washing' with mild soaps such as Woolite so that you dont extract the repellent.
Sunbrella is a polyester and if 'dyed' (not white or 'light') is quite stable in UV. The manufacturer of Sunbrella recommends only 'washing' with mild soaps such as Woolite so that you dont extract the repellent.
Yup.
But since it is the polyester stiching that fails first, Rich was partly right. As we all know, most things made with Sunbrella can be restitched 2-3 times before the fabric goes, though it will fade a bit.
What I really dislike--though it looks good--is the use of sailcloth or other thin polyester materials as a sacrificial cover on rollerfurling jibs. It sacrifices itself within a few years and is expensive to replace. Sunbrella or the equivalent is the thing to do; i will last as long as the sail, stitching not withstanding.
When I sewed mine on last spring, the vendor who sells to all of the awning companies in the area recommended that I use nylon thread .the cost was about 60 dollars compared to 500 dollars at a local loft .
Two problems already solved.
1. Sunbrella offers a THIN UV cover material, much thinner and yet as 'substantial' as the standard grade and doenst have the bulk nor weight of standard Sunbrella.
2, PTFE base Tenara thread which is totally UV immune, but at higher cost OR the use of 'dark' and higher 'denier' weight thread. ..... costly but will outlast the sunbrella that its sewn to.
Nyon thread, I dont think so as nylon is especially UV vulnerable .... and probably he was recommending GoreTex® Tenara - PTFE... quite costly
1. Sunbrella offers a THIN UV cover material, much thinner and yet as 'substantial' as the standard grade and doenst have the bulk nor weight of standard Sunbrella.
2, PTFE base Tenara thread which is totally UV immune, but at higher cost OR the use of 'dark' and higher 'denier' weight thread. ..... costly but will outlast the sunbrella that its sewn to.
Nyon thread, I dont think so as nylon is especially UV vulnerable .... and probably he was recommending GoreTex® Tenara - PTFE... quite costly
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