'Grey' sails

[Guest]

\'Grey\' sails

I have inherited a mainsail, old, but still a lot of life left. Only trouble is, it looks grey when hoisted with a snow white genoa - a bit like those old Persil ads!. I've tried all the commercial whiteners for home laundry but no luck. Can anyone suggest a miracle substance which may help brighten it up a bit. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Which is........? *

?

 

[Guest]

White emulsion*

*

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Whatever you do to this sail now, it sounds as though it's shot. The more chemicals you pour over it the more you loosen the resin that gave it whatever form it had left. The more you weaken it the worse it becomes as a windward sail.

There is no easy way out of this one, I fear!

Peter GIbbs

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Thanks Peter. I'll still use it, but you'll know me!. Rab.

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Try Persil!! I read an article on sail cleaning which brightened mine up no end. Not perfect but big improvement. Soak sails overnight in bath of warm water with lots of biological washing powder. Then lay out on polythene sheet and powerwash to rinse. The powerwasher blows out the grime.

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Cheers Andy. Worth a try. Rab.

 

[Guest]

On the same theme ...........

The 'grey' sail also has some persistent rust stains. Anyone got any ideas for removal?.

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Presume you are Scottish!!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

Aye laddie, but wastefulness is just stupid.

 

[Guest]

Re: \'Grey\' sails

whatever colour do thay stil work? well