Degars Posted March 29, 2011 Report Posted March 29, 2011 I bought a second hand 6.5 m kite on the flea. Its fine and crispy, but the only problem is that its ingrained with dried sand and as a result is really stained looking. The bridle is filthy with dried sand also. I cannot seem to get the damn stuff off - tried sponging it with soapy water. Any suggestions.? What have you had success with? Any advice appreciated, Cheers Quote
smackay116 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Posted March 29, 2011 Take the lines off Cable tie all the leaders/conecton points together Put in pillow slip cable tie shut Put in washing on low heat with very little detergent. Stu Quote
Degars Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Posted March 29, 2011 Like'n that one a lot. Great idea. Cheers, Quote
PurpleMonkey Posted March 29, 2011 Report Posted March 29, 2011 Put in washing on low heat with very little detergent. Use a detergent free cleaner like Tech-Wash. You can buy it from any camping or outdoor place like Blacks Quote
lovetokite.com Posted March 30, 2011 Report Posted March 30, 2011 heard about putting kites in washing machines, does this really work and not wreck the kite? how about if you have a small washing machine or a big kite? any tips for cleaning marks off, tech wash work without a washing machine? Quote
PurpleMonkey Posted March 30, 2011 Report Posted March 30, 2011 heard about putting kites in washing machines, does this really work and not wreck the kite? how about if you have a small washing machine or a big kite? any tips for cleaning marks off, tech wash work without a washing machine? i usually wash my smaller kites in the bath with tech wash, that works well. However, today i tried my 10m frenzy in the washing machine in a pillow case, not brilliant TBH. nearly broke the machine when it tried to spin, got it a bit cleaner but won't try it again with the big kite, would work better with my smaller ones i think. Just put it on a cold, shorter cycle wash and watch when it starts to spin out, you may need to stop it pronto if it starts shaking and jumping across the floor. Quote
Crispy Posted March 30, 2011 Report Posted March 30, 2011 tech wash work without a washing machine? Yep, it says on the bottle that you can use it neat on clothes to remove stains before washing, and you can hand wash with it too. Personally I wouldn't put my kites near a washing machine. I just let them dry in the garden then shake the sand off. I have used a wet sponge on one before to get some marks off. Quote
shiner Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 Wet sponges are good for big kites,but you can machine wash kites,but get as much sand out as you can before washing,anything bigger than a 5 metre,you can hand wash in the bath,dry it on the washing line,but rinse it well,and keep that bridling together,because if not,it's half an hour untangling on the washing line,if the weathers shite,tumble dry it,but check to see if its dry regularly as i don't know the melting point of mylar,and some of the other materials used on kites. Quote
R1CH-G Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 One thing I would suggest to you, what material is the kite made from? Once you've washed it (with a sponge and clean water), treat it with Seal and Glide. I don't think (and I'm not 100% sure about this) that the marine ripstop fabrics require waterproofing as the weave is so tight it will not permit air to pass through - although as I say I'm not sure about that. Previous comment of don't, just fly it dirty, I'd follow that advice as well - don't go near it with detergents as you WILL wash away any fabric treatments that are coating the kite. Quote
alanr1303 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 Take the lines off Cable tie all the leaders/conecton points together Put in pillow slip cable tie shut Put in washing on low heat with very little detergent. Stu An alternative to the pillow slip is the bag that comes with machine washable suits from places like Matalan. A lot larger, and made out of mesh that lets sand etc escape. Washed a white 5M Pansh Ace like this after after a muddy day on Cleeve Alan Quote
Andy-j Posted April 1, 2011 Report Posted April 1, 2011 An alternative to the pillow slip is the bag that comes with machine washable suits from places like Matalan. A lot larger, and made out of mesh that lets sand etc escape. Washed a white 5M Pansh Ace like this after after a muddy day on Cleeve Alan thats fine for a panch ace but you wouldn't do it with a real kite would you!? lol Quote
Degars Posted April 3, 2011 Author Report Posted April 3, 2011 Went for the washing machine and Tech wash option. Results at first glance seemed ok (still some sand staining on the white fabric). Set it out in the back garden to dry so I could have a proper look - needless to say it pissed down. One thing I can say for certain - the bridle looks much much better. Once it dries I'll give it a Seal n' glide treatment (got a small amount left over) and that'll do it. I should have taken a before and after pic. Once again thanks for all the "domestic-type " advice - mummy would be proud of me :-) Quote
tedatwgs Posted April 4, 2011 Report Posted April 4, 2011 so have people got good stories to tell from using seal and glide?? I would just sponge kite and use it, not into the washing machine aspect. Quote
Nick1599968727 Posted April 4, 2011 Report Posted April 4, 2011 I tech washed all my kites in the bath last year and then the next week seal n glided them all, i knew my manta had been done before i had it but was gobsmacked at what happened, all 3 accesses where fine, the seal n glide just washed on with a sponge and was left to dry (did both sides) the manta as soon as I applied the s n g it beaded and wouldnt absorb into the kite like it did on the others (must have still been doing its job) Once dry the kites where almost like they had had fabric conditioner on, softer and easier to fold up but bloody hell did they hold the internal air! the colours all became more pronounced and the kites just felt better Quote
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