AAAAARGGGGGGGH! F*%*ING OIL ON SAILS

[mickshep]

Help! Just been down to where I stored the engine to find it has been moved and has emptied the contents of the Hydraulics all over the floor. Floor o.k as Spinnaker has soaked most of it up through it's bag. I've rubbed effected area with washing up liquid then rinsed with water to get heavy oil out, will now take to launderette, what temp should I wash the sail at and what type of detergent should I use???? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[mainmarine]

try cleaning it with Swafega first to get rid of oil stains, before you wash it

 

[Evadne]

My advice is by all means give it a go, but don't expect miracles.
I had similar probs with the main a few years back and tried washing them myself, several times (including in the cockpit at Poole town quay, leaving a trail of oil and bubbles downtide /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ). I tried (basically) handwashing with various detergents rubbed in beforehand, but the only receptacle large enough was the bath and despite the gunk that came off, they remained oily.
I gave them to a sailmaker to wash and valet at the end of that season and they (Arun) got them cleaner than I had done, in one go, and at a reasonable cost. It has always looked a bit "ethnic" since then, but at least we can hang the duvet over the boom without it getting oily now.

 

[savageseadog]

Use, as suggested above, a degreaser before you try and wash them. There are some more "organic" types of degreasers if you have a good look round.

 

[Richard10002]

DONT TRY THIS WITHOUT SOME EDUCATED REPLIES:

Bilgex???