Sail cleaning

[jorgefife]

I know there was a posting here, but cannot find it
I sold a sail for a Pearson 35 to someone in Florida, but want to clean the rust brown marks on the sail
There is a product sold at Dollar Tree/ .99c. stores... anyone recall what it was?
Thanks

 

[Squidd]

I don't know about the "dollar tree" stuff but a quick search on sail cleaning came up with several reccomendations for sodium silicate detergent for initial soak and wash and then oxilic acid for stain removal....

Just have to look at the active ingredient lables...

 

[jorgefife]

I don't know about the "dollar tree" stuff but a quick search on sail cleaning came up with several reccomendations for sodium silicate detergent for initial soak and wash and then oxilic acid for stain removal....

Just have to look at the active ingredient lables...

There was definitely something on this forum regarding the cleaning, and it was Dollar Tree, because there is one around the corner, I'm sure I will find the lonk or someone wioll post again

 

[jorgefife]

There was definitely something on this forum regarding the cleaning, and it was Dollar Tree, because there is one around the corner, I'm sure I will find the lonk or someone wioll post again

Found it!!!
Rardi36 came to the rescue in November 11, and I found the link
I am a great believer of the Dollar Tree Store: why pay more when you can get it cheaper?
Thanks anyway for helping

 

[kesagape]

I just purchased some used sails in need of cleaning. What is the name of the product? Also what's the process...how do you clean something as big as a sail....what do you use and how do you do it? Thank you.

Karl

 

[jorgefife]

I just purchased some used sails in need of cleaning. What is the name of the product? Also what's the process...how do you clean something as big as a sail....what do you use and how do you do it? Thank you.

Karl

Look at me, dishing out advice like a pro: the usual suspects (Steve,Ed,Rardi, etc) will be proud of me
Go to "Search" just above this forum, look in November last year there was a posting by Rardi, and there is a link there about Dollar Tree; if you do not find it, let me know and I will send you the link
Signed off
The "pro"

 

[rardiH36]

Here's the url that Jorge mentions. Go to post #9. It's a suggestion for dealing with rust stains only. Works well for me.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=882019&highlight=dollar#post882019

As for general cleaning of dirt/mold/mildew/grunge, best you do your own search. For me, I have made a strong mixture of detergents+general cleaners and while the sail is laid out on my back yard deck (its a biggish one) and on a cool cloudy day I pour the mixture on the sail and spread it around with a broom. Let sit for a while and then blast off several times with my garden hose. This doesn't get the sail brand new clean again. But a noticeable improvement and no longer an embarrrasment. I've done this on older sails only. Dacron I believe is pretty tough against most household products. Forum members generally will advise to be more gentle with newer sails so not to damage the protective coatings and fabric. On my very old mainsail, it is still in one piece three years after my last DIY cleaning. I haven't observed any degradation of sail fabric integrity.

rardi