Ultramar kite refit - alternatives ????

[adamgerrard]

Hello all, I have used ultramar kite re fit and its very good. however extremely expensive. Theres no list of the chemicals on the side of the container which makes me think its something very simple inside. Like silicon spray or something?

 

Would anyone know of cheaper ways to UV proof ours kites without paying the earth?

 

Cheers

[andrew pattullo]

i found cheap waterproof spray at lidl 1.99 a can three cans would do a kite ,

[adamgerrard]

Is it any good? I mean does it return the kite to a crispy state? Like when you first got it?

[andrew pattullo]

nothing can! but it does keep it very clean , i think that kite spray is just expensive hype and proberely just silcon spray ,

 

i would try that waterproof for jackets etc , , and you could stick the kite in the bath and leave it to coat the ripstop then dry yhre kite as it did amazing job on my motorbike jacket , ,

[kibee-pete]

How about seal&glide? Is that the same kind of thing as kite refit?

[doggy]

Nikwax works, I used it to waterproof some foils a few years ago. It doesn't make it crispy as it is a soft coating and absorbed into the material but it does make it look newer and completely waterproof again.

[simon1976]

i have thought about this, cant be new technology,i am a fisherman also and have often used Thomsons water seal to re proof my bivvies, its great stuff and doesnt affect the material, although im still not brave enough to use it on a kite.

i cant see it being an issue as long as it doesnt drastically increase weight....which i cant see it doing, Fabsil always used to be the waterprrofing to use for tents years ago.

 

you know these guys are just re badging other products.

[Andy C]

I don't get this - my kites are years old and they're completely fine. Why spray them in stuff, surely it doesn't change their performance??

[simon1976]

I don't get this - my kites are years old and they're completely fine. Why spray them in stuff, surely it doesn't change their performance??

 

think it certainly would with foils to be honest, im sure most of it is hype and not sure id bother on inflatables.....but might on my speed but im not payong the sort of money kite refit want, especially on a 15m speed 3, would cost me fortunes

[Andy C]

Fairy nuff, it being the kitesurfing forum I forgot about foils!

[simon1976]

Fairy nuff, it being the kitesurfing forum I forgot about foils!

 

lol Leave it Andy, leave it

 

love my speed in anything up to about 25mph, its a different experience, similarly love my Vegas' too

Edited May 29, 2013 by simon1976
typo's as usual

[The Geoff]

Plus, remember the spray is going to add weight to the kite, you've got to balance that against any benefits you gain. I've never reproofed a kite and to be honest I've never noticed a change in performance as they get older.

[adamgerrard]

if u havn't noticed a kite getting worn out then your not using it enough

[peter32]

I Ultramared my very well used 15m speed 3 , it worked like magic water off a ducks back Style ........few months later exactly the same as it was before i used it . wont bother again didn't last me long.

[The Geoff]

if u havn't noticed a kite getting worn out then your not using it enough

 

The chance would be a fine thing!

[AeroJere]

I put thompsons water seal for wood on my old soft porous flysurfer kite. Do not do this! It made a big oily mess. the low VOC version doesnt evaporate. and adds at least 1kg of weight. Im currently washining it out with Trisodium Phospate. Ive tried Polyurethane wood varnish. It adds weight and crispyness, but it cracks and fractures where the fabric bends. Same with Pledge Floor Care acrylic floor polish. both the polyurethane and floor polish adds water repelancy. Silicon clothing and tent sprays work for awhile but wear off quickly.

[AeroJere]

Krylon clear transparent gloss acrylic spay paint adds crispyness and waterproofness but I needed several coats and several cans to add noticable reduction in porosity. Surprisingly the amount of added weight is very little. Most of the 320ml in a can must be propellant and solvent, with perhaps less than 1/6 polyacrylic. Rustoleum waterseal transparent leaves a rubbery dull finish and adds instant porosity. It doenst seem very durable and long lasting. Very strong odor from tolulene and hexane ingredients. Seems softer than silicone. not sure about the added weight yet.

[kitesurfandy]

to keep your kite in good nick , if not using the kite and its sat on the beach with sand on it , this is were the sun and flapping on the sandy beach with pebbles,razor shells / shells ,small sticks are going to damage your kite , if not in use bag it up and chick it back in your van

[rtz]

See if you can locate some of this stuff:

 

303 Aerospace Protectant for Sailcloth

[SonnyRider]

See if you can locate some of this stuff:

 

303 Aerospace Protectant for Sailcloth

 

Some on Amazon CLICKY