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Sail Cleaning #144939
06/05/08 04:08 PM
06/05/08 04:08 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
lemonhead13 Offline OP
stranger
lemonhead13  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
I am a newbie (as some of you may have read in my previous posts) and am currently restoring an old 5.7m G-Cat. The sails that came with this boat are (I believe) the original sales so are at least 20 years old. The sales are in great shape as they have been kept well in storage for most of their life. However, a good cleaning would do them a world of good. I have searched the internet for some "How To" articles on cleaning sales, but haven't unearthed anything that really sets my mind at ease. Can someone provide some info regarding the best cleaners and methods to use? Thanks in advance.


Sincerely,

Lee

"Need a little wind here..."
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: lemonhead13] #144940
06/05/08 06:05 PM
06/05/08 06:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 321
Albuquerque NM
Banzilla Offline
enthusiast
Banzilla  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 321
Albuquerque NM
A nice slow motion pitch pole did wonders for my sails <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


[b] Sail Like you have a Pair
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Banzilla] #144941
06/05/08 09:27 PM
06/05/08 09:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 304
H
Hullflyer1 Offline
enthusiast
Hullflyer1  Offline
enthusiast
H

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 304
How did you spell "sails" in your search

Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: lemonhead13] #144942
06/05/08 09:44 PM
06/05/08 09:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 829
Charleston, SC
NCSUtrey Offline
old hand
NCSUtrey  Offline
old hand

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 829
Charleston, SC
Throw them in a pool for a day or two.


Trey
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Banzilla] #144943
06/05/08 11:04 PM
06/05/08 11:04 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 110
Northern California, USA
RyanMcHale Offline
member
RyanMcHale  Offline
member

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 110
Northern California, USA
Quote
A nice slow motion pitch pole did wonders for my sails <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


What's a "nice slow motion pitch pole"??? All of my pitch poles were quick, violent "How did I suddenly get in the water?" affairs!!!! Anyway, I've heard a mild mix of Oxalic Acid works well, I've never tried it, my preference would be mild soap and water, scrubbed on the lawn. If that didn't do it I'd step up and try Oxygen bleach, as it worked VERY well when I soaked my sheets after way to many years under an almond tree.


Ryan McHale
Hobie 14 (battened jib)
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: RyanMcHale] #144944
06/06/08 08:09 AM
06/06/08 08:09 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
lemonhead13 Offline OP
stranger
lemonhead13  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
Well, I revisited Google Search with the phrase "sail cleaning" instead of "how to clean sailboat sails" and it brought up much more information. However, I still don't feel a real peace about some of the articles I read; because mainly I don't know if the author is some newb like me that doesn't know a mainsheet from a barber hauler. So I am still interested in some expert advice from ya'll (Looziana vernacular). So thanks again for all input.

P.S. I think my brain malfunctioned in my original post because now I realize I referenced "sails" with "sales". Thank God it's finally Friday!!

Last edited by lemonhead13; 06/06/08 08:13 AM.

Sincerely,

Lee

"Need a little wind here..."
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: lemonhead13] #144945
06/06/08 08:22 AM
06/06/08 08:22 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
virginia beach, VA
dsltrc Offline
journeyman
dsltrc  Offline
journeyman

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
virginia beach, VA
Trey wasn't kidding about putting the sails in a pool for a few days.... the chlorine will brighten up the sails and help remove the stains with out ever scrubing...


Jason DiPietro supercat 19
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: dsltrc] #144946
06/06/08 10:01 AM
06/06/08 10:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 55
Ft Myers Beach, FL
walkefmb Offline
journeyman
walkefmb  Offline
journeyman

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 55
Ft Myers Beach, FL
Works great! Just make sure that the PH and chlorine levels are good. Ijust soaked for 2 days w/o chlorine and all I got was a wet sail. The chemicals do the work for you. A fingernail brush makes short work of the stubborn bits.


cedar tornado classic,
sunfish,
1972 morgan 27
optidad
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: RyanMcHale] #144947
06/06/08 10:29 AM
06/06/08 10:29 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 321
Albuquerque NM
Banzilla Offline
enthusiast
Banzilla  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 321
Albuquerque NM
Quote
Quote
A nice slow motion pitch pole did wonders for my sails <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


What's a "nice slow motion pitch pole"??? All of my pitch poles were quick, violent "How did I suddenly get in the water?" affairs!!!! Anyway, I've heard a mild mix of Oxalic Acid works well, I've never tried it, my preference would be mild soap and water, scrubbed on the lawn. If that didn't do it I'd step up and try Oxygen bleach, as it worked VERY well when I soaked my sheets after way to many years under an almond tree.


This was one of my first couple of times getting on the wire solo.

Started to climb out in just enough breeze to feel comfortable. Winds were slightly gusty and a bit shifty. Sure enough, just as I got out here comes a gust from behind . Bows dig in, it was like a very gentle nudge. I had plenty of time to realize not only did I need to find a place to land, but that I was going to be very cold in a few short seconds. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />


[b] Sail Like you have a Pair
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: walkefmb] #144948
06/06/08 11:28 AM
06/06/08 11:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
I throw all my sailing gear (trap harness, life jacketts, clothes, booties, etc.) in my pool when I get home from any salt water regatta, just to wash the plankton out, otherwise the stink a week later is unbearable. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />


Blade F16
#777
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Timbo] #144949
06/06/08 11:59 AM
06/06/08 11:59 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Quote
I throw all my sailing gear (trap harness, life jacketts, clothes, booties, etc.) in my pool when I get home from any salt water regatta, just to wash the plankton out, otherwise the stink a week later is unbearable. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />


Geeze...So now I've got to get a pool just to keep my sailing stuff looking nice. And you get to fly other people's jets too....


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Mugrace72] #144950
06/06/08 12:03 PM
06/06/08 12:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
"Yeah, I've got a pool, pool and a pond, pond'd be good for you..."

Ty Webb. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Name the movie and I just gave you a huge clue. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And, it's not about looking nice, it's about the smell of salt water soaked garments sitting in your sailbox in the hot FL sun for a week or two... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by Timbo; 06/06/08 12:04 PM.

Blade F16
#777
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Timbo] #144951
06/06/08 12:10 PM
06/06/08 12:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
<<< pond'd be good for you...">>>

Lake Jackson....???


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Sail Cleaning [Re: Mugrace72] #144952
06/06/08 12:21 PM
06/06/08 12:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 308
Reno NV
R
Rhino1302 Offline
enthusiast
Rhino1302  Offline
enthusiast
R

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 308
Reno NV
Caddyshack. What do I win?

Trichloroethylene is great for cleaning sails, if you can find any. It is somewhat toxic, so use as little as necessary.


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