Sail Cleaning

[aimera]

Can anyone recomend a sail cleaning service preferably Solent based. Many thanks

 

[VicS]

Article a few months ago in november PBO
Hitech automated process by Novosail, Hedge End, Soton £6.08 per kg + VAT including anti UV and anti fungal treatment.

Manually by Tip Top but who only take from sail makers etc not direct from owners.

Ave price quoted as around £4 per kilo excluding any treatments.

 

[Goldie]

As VicS says, TipTop are used by most sailmakers/chandlers. The cheapest route to TipTop we found was Arthur's Chandlery in Gosport.

 

[Boat44]

I have just had my No1 done at Novosail. Haven't seen the end result yet as I will be collecting next week, I think. They have a big "machine" to wash and clean the sails. Most others as I understand it are pressure washers then hung in a loft to dry. (But please correct me if I'm wrong)

Very helpful and friendly lot. Some discounts around for various owners associations etc.

Will happily report back what the sail is like as it was quite dirty and had some mildew between the laminate overlaps at the seams.

 

[clouty]

I do hope no-one is knocking the stuffing out of their sails (or teak decks, or canvaswork) with a pressure washer. It does them no good, you know.

 

[DoubleEnder]

no chemicals please

low pressure, like the garden hose. Gentle scrub with soft brush. Air dry. That's it. Anything else wil shorten life of the sail, remove dressing, bad news

IMHO

 

[bitman]

i washed my sails in the bath with washing powder, they were very dirty with green mould. now drying in the loft.

 

[VicS]

I have just had my No1 done at Novosail. ........ Most others as I understand it are pressure washers then hung in a loft to dry. (But please correct me if I'm wrong)

I do hope no-one is knocking the stuffing out of their sails (or teak decks, or canvaswork) with a pressure washer. It does them no good, you know.

low pressure, like the garden hose. Gentle scrub with soft brush. Air dry. That's it. Anything else wil shorten life of the sail, remove dressing, bad news
IMHO

According to the PBO article Tip Top spread the sails on a purpose made, slightly sloping floor, apply the cleaning agents with a watering can and brushed gently with a soft bristled broom. Rinsed turned over and the other side done the same. A pressure washer is used on a low setting for rinsing off.

They are dried quickly (overnight) to prevent mould regrowing.

 

[murraynorth]

I can certainly recommend Novosail - I have used them for 2 years now via our local sailmaker JKA Sails in Pwllheli, and the result both times has been the proverbial "like new"

 

[clouty]

VicS has got it right, that's the way it's done.