Hey Guys, I've searched the archives & couldn't find this exact question so I thought I'd post it: I have a 3 year old 150% genoa that is in excellent structural condition. Except for a 3' border around the leech & foot, the dacron is still in brand new condition: very crunchy, flat, beautiful. My problem is that 3' border is VERY dirty. It's embarrassing. Lots of grey filth that's collected over the years. Here's my question: Do I have it cleaned?? I'm concerned that a good cleaning will reduce the "newness" of 90% of the sail for the sake of cleaning the other 10%. Anyone else struggle with this?? Any opinions out there?? Thanks, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull #632
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Sailcare.com Sail cleaning
I just had Sailcare to do the complete job on my 12 year old main. The sail is like new! no stains and has the feel of a new sail. This was a total investment of $200. This is now the only way that I will go. I am sending a Roller furling 120 jib next. Hope this Helps. Sailcare Phone: 724-763-2229 Dirtyjim@charter.net
I just had Sailcare to do the complete job on my 12 year old main. The sail is like new! no stains and has the feel of a new sail. This was a total investment of $200. This is now the only way that I will go. I am sending a Roller furling 120 jib next. Hope this Helps. Sailcare Phone: 724-763-2229 Dirtyjim@charter.net
what is the freight on sails
So, what is the postage/freight for a 150% or a main. I have also heard good things about sailcare but have never figured the cost of sending.
So, what is the postage/freight for a 150% or a main. I have also heard good things about sailcare but have never figured the cost of sending.
Sail Cleaning .... DIY
IF and ONLY if the sail is *white* dacron ..... Thoroughly clean the deck of the boat. Get a 'sodium silicate' based detergent .. Spray bottles. Product I used is called 'Tuff-eNuff' .... used to be available at West Marine. Sodium Silicates are strong caustic cleaners usually available from a janitorial supply. Such detergents are highly caustic so be sure to wear appropriate personal protection: goggles, gloves, etc. On a windless, cloudy and humid day ...... Raise the sail from the deck while spraying on detergent, then drop to deck and cover with plastic tarp, etc. let soak for 1 or more hours. Slowly raise sail while scrubbing with a long handled soft bristle brush, use a water hose and 'mist' the sail with water to keep wet. Do both sides. Mist the sail with water when fully raised, drop to deck and cover and let soak. Slowy raise looking for areas not beginning to 'clean' and respray /scrub with detergent + scrubbing, drop sail and recover. Scrub the sail again while raising/lowering. Soak time is important to allow the air pollution and fungus (usually 'artillery fungus' ... those teeny black spots) to disolve. With hose in hand slowly raise sail to rinse, raise and lower while blasting with water several time to be SURE that all detergent is removed. Inspect sail for 'rust/iron/tannin' stains. If so, use full strength mix of oxalic acid (with precautions) and work the local areas so stained, then rinse and rinse and rinse. Obtain Oxalic crystals from a hardware/paint store. Dont allow oxalic or oxalic solution to touch your skin - will absorb and seriously harm your kidneys. To dry the sail, go sailing. When back at the deck, re-wax the boat as the caustic will have stripped ALL the old dead wax from the fiberglass (a good idea to do every 2 years). Dont do this 'method' if the boat is painted ... may 'lift' the paint. hope this helps
IF and ONLY if the sail is *white* dacron ..... Thoroughly clean the deck of the boat. Get a 'sodium silicate' based detergent .. Spray bottles. Product I used is called 'Tuff-eNuff' .... used to be available at West Marine. Sodium Silicates are strong caustic cleaners usually available from a janitorial supply. Such detergents are highly caustic so be sure to wear appropriate personal protection: goggles, gloves, etc. On a windless, cloudy and humid day ...... Raise the sail from the deck while spraying on detergent, then drop to deck and cover with plastic tarp, etc. let soak for 1 or more hours. Slowly raise sail while scrubbing with a long handled soft bristle brush, use a water hose and 'mist' the sail with water to keep wet. Do both sides. Mist the sail with water when fully raised, drop to deck and cover and let soak. Slowy raise looking for areas not beginning to 'clean' and respray /scrub with detergent + scrubbing, drop sail and recover. Scrub the sail again while raising/lowering. Soak time is important to allow the air pollution and fungus (usually 'artillery fungus' ... those teeny black spots) to disolve. With hose in hand slowly raise sail to rinse, raise and lower while blasting with water several time to be SURE that all detergent is removed. Inspect sail for 'rust/iron/tannin' stains. If so, use full strength mix of oxalic acid (with precautions) and work the local areas so stained, then rinse and rinse and rinse. Obtain Oxalic crystals from a hardware/paint store. Dont allow oxalic or oxalic solution to touch your skin - will absorb and seriously harm your kidneys. To dry the sail, go sailing. When back at the deck, re-wax the boat as the caustic will have stripped ALL the old dead wax from the fiberglass (a good idea to do every 2 years). Dont do this 'method' if the boat is painted ... may 'lift' the paint. hope this helps
Miami to
Sailcare cost $44 via UPS Store (they packaged the sail bag.) This was for a 400 sf 150% genoa from a Bene OC 350. I like their work. marc
Sailcare cost $44 via UPS Store (they packaged the sail bag.) This was for a 400 sf 150% genoa from a Bene OC 350. I like their work. marc
Freight Costs
Two years ago, I sent my main and jib (Legend 37) to Sailcare in Pennsylvania from Massachusetts. Cost almost $100 on UPS. Sailcare paid to ship them back. That was the amount I was discounted by Sailcare for getting my sails into them by December 31 of that year.
Two years ago, I sent my main and jib (Legend 37) to Sailcare in Pennsylvania from Massachusetts. Cost almost $100 on UPS. Sailcare paid to ship them back. That was the amount I was discounted by Sailcare for getting my sails into them by December 31 of that year.
humm... I wonder
how much they would charge to clean & condition a 125%, a jib, and a main sail for an ericson 27...
how much they would charge to clean & condition a 125%, a jib, and a main sail for an ericson 27...
DJ?
They charge by the square foot. In 2002 it was .85/sqft to wash & treat (DeMournay process) the sails.
They charge by the square foot. In 2002 it was .85/sqft to wash & treat (DeMournay process) the sails.
does anyone know of a cheeper cleaner?
there are good looking used sails at several lofts here for less than that! the sails I have are good material, just have a rust stain & storage dirt I want removed.. They still have that crispy new feel.
there are good looking used sails at several lofts here for less than that! the sails I have are good material, just have a rust stain & storage dirt I want removed.. They still have that crispy new feel.
Cleaning sails
Check out Second wind sails. They are econmical and do a good job. http://www.secondwindsails.com/ Alan
Check out Second wind sails. They are econmical and do a good job. http://www.secondwindsails.com/ Alan
Just use a local loft...
They usually charge by the pound and you don't have the hassle of packaging and shipping them. I had my sail for my Nonsuch done at a local loft. It's 625 sq ft, and I had some minor repairs and replacement of the tells. The total was $288.00 and they even stored it for me for the winter. Any other way of doing it is a hassle. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
They usually charge by the pound and you don't have the hassle of packaging and shipping them. I had my sail for my Nonsuch done at a local loft. It's 625 sq ft, and I had some minor repairs and replacement of the tells. The total was $288.00 and they even stored it for me for the winter. Any other way of doing it is a hassle. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
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