I have purchased a boat that had not sailed in quite a few years. The sals are serviceable but a bit stained by rust. What is the best way to remove the stains but not damage the fabric? thanks steve
Stained Sail
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Oxalic Acid (wood bleach)
Use oxalic acid. Get it from a hardware or paint store .. "wood bleach" Many Teak cleaners and 'cleansers' contain oxalic such as "Bartenders Friend", "Zud", etc. Be sure to rinse the sail aafter bleaching.
Use oxalic acid. Get it from a hardware or paint store .. "wood bleach" Many Teak cleaners and 'cleansers' contain oxalic such as "Bartenders Friend", "Zud", etc. Be sure to rinse the sail aafter bleaching.
Oxalic acid question
Thanks for the reply,I know oxalic is a very weak organic acid but its still acidic. Is there any worry it would weaken the fabric. How long shold I teat before rinse? what concentration? These are old sails and it's not in the budget to get new yet? what about sulfite? Its a mild reducer would it be better? thanks again steve
Thanks for the reply,I know oxalic is a very weak organic acid but its still acidic. Is there any worry it would weaken the fabric. How long shold I teat before rinse? what concentration? These are old sails and it's not in the budget to get new yet? what about sulfite? Its a mild reducer would it be better? thanks again steve
Oxalic acid is a reducing agent!
Oxalic acid is actually dicarboxylic acid having a structure (HOOC)-(COOH). Due to the joining of the carboxyl groups, it is one of the strongest organic acids. It is also a reducing agent...not the oxidizing agent most bleaches are. That is why it is used extensively by wood workers as a bleach...it doesn't damage the wood fibers. That is also why it is particularly effective in removing rust (iron oxide) stains and tarnish (oxidation). A little Zud scrubbed in and rinsed to remove rust spots won't hurt your sail. For general cleaning and brightening use a bit of TSP and laundry detergent with a non-bleach whitener.
Oxalic acid is actually dicarboxylic acid having a structure (HOOC)-(COOH). Due to the joining of the carboxyl groups, it is one of the strongest organic acids. It is also a reducing agent...not the oxidizing agent most bleaches are. That is why it is used extensively by wood workers as a bleach...it doesn't damage the wood fibers. That is also why it is particularly effective in removing rust (iron oxide) stains and tarnish (oxidation). A little Zud scrubbed in and rinsed to remove rust spots won't hurt your sail. For general cleaning and brightening use a bit of TSP and laundry detergent with a non-bleach whitener.
MORE STAINED SAILS
I also have stained sails, and am buying new/old ones on ebay for the new/old oday 25. What is the best way to use TSP, or Bartenders friend to clean the sails. Mix how much powder, in how much water, apply with ?, brush, pump sprayer, etc. I like the tsp, laundry soap, nonchlorine bleech idea, but again what concentration, and how. I have never washed my sails except for a rinse with the hose. I once bought a sail cleaner from WM and it did almost nothing. thanks
I also have stained sails, and am buying new/old ones on ebay for the new/old oday 25. What is the best way to use TSP, or Bartenders friend to clean the sails. Mix how much powder, in how much water, apply with ?, brush, pump sprayer, etc. I like the tsp, laundry soap, nonchlorine bleech idea, but again what concentration, and how. I have never washed my sails except for a rinse with the hose. I once bought a sail cleaner from WM and it did almost nothing. thanks
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