Slowtack
Well-Known Member
Looking for advice on cleaning black mould from sails. The sails are an older reinforced fabric type.
Cleaning mouldy sails
- Thread starter Slowtack
- Start date
JasB
Well-Known Member
I had this problem a couple of months back, but with newish sails which optomism had made me leave in place over the winter.
I can't say wether it will work with cloth sails.
I tried washing them in the Wife's hot tub....didn't work, so I used a pressure washer which did work, but my sails were, and still are in good condition apart from the mildew/mould.
I can't say wether it will work with cloth sails.
I tried washing them in the Wife's hot tub....didn't work, so I used a pressure washer which did work, but my sails were, and still are in good condition apart from the mildew/mould.
Talbot
Well-Known Member
go to a camping and caravan shop and get the stuff recommended for tents.
bathroom mold remover has a strong bleach content and may damage the sails.
bathroom mold remover has a strong bleach content and may damage the sails.
DickB
Well-Known Member
I asked one of the sail makers what the 'official' sail cleaners did, and he replied that they used a jet washer plus some cleaning agents. I confess to thinking that they might have some sort of gigantic front loading tumble washer - not sensible when you think about it!!!
So to save some money I used a low power jet washer (£40 at Halfords) which seemed to do the trip. I also used one of the proprietory cleaners and when that ran out I used some Vanish!!! Having said all this the sail is old, and I was quite carefull not to put the jet too close to the sail cloth.
The biggest problem is to find a smotth surface on whic to do the job. I ended up doing this small sail on the pon toon but it was less than ideal.
Good luck,
So to save some money I used a low power jet washer (£40 at Halfords) which seemed to do the trip. I also used one of the proprietory cleaners and when that ran out I used some Vanish!!! Having said all this the sail is old, and I was quite carefull not to put the jet too close to the sail cloth.
The biggest problem is to find a smotth surface on whic to do the job. I ended up doing this small sail on the pon toon but it was less than ideal.
Good luck,
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Be very careful about powerwashing etc. Older sails may be fine being powerwashed but modern dacron sails etc contain fillers which can be blasted out using powerwashers.
Most sails are better put into a cheap paddling pool, and stomped on, similar to treading grapes.
Most sails are better put into a cheap paddling pool, and stomped on, similar to treading grapes.
gjgm
Well-Known Member
wasnt on sails, but nylon canvas. I think I tried every product under the sun, even those wonderful sounding American import products. I found that you can get the greenish mould out, but black mould+spots seem there to stay.
NPMR
Well-Known Member
We have a book on vinegar, which reccommends:
3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar, I teaspoon borax and 450ml (2 cups) hot water. Put in a spray bottle, shake and then spray affected area. Allow to soak in. For stubborn stains, use a soft scrubbing brush. Wipe away with a clean cloth.
Seemed to imply that it was for hard surfaces or "...wherever you see mould or mildew spots"
I was going to try it on the oilies this winter. What do you think?
3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar, I teaspoon borax and 450ml (2 cups) hot water. Put in a spray bottle, shake and then spray affected area. Allow to soak in. For stubborn stains, use a soft scrubbing brush. Wipe away with a clean cloth.
Seemed to imply that it was for hard surfaces or "...wherever you see mould or mildew spots"
I was going to try it on the oilies this winter. What do you think?
Slowtack
Well-Known Member
Thanks y'all. Will probably try mild soap first.
