Sail cleaning

[fellinagen]

So OK I'm a rookie. I've searched the forum for info but no joy.

Can anyone tell me what is involved in sail cleaning? Is it simply a matter of finding a Hotpoint big enough? Are there special processes or proofings go on. Basically, if my washing machine is big enough can I do it myself on a program 4?

<hr width=100% size=1>If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.

 

[TonyD]

Try this link to the PBO Forum:

http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=pbo&Number=528227&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=sails bath&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=3months&Main=528227

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[charles_reed]

When I had a little boat

with small sails I used to use the old Hotpoint top-loader. Modern washing machines are only good for 5-7 kg which is useless for sails >10m2.

I usually use the same people as the sailmakers use, who wash at a low temperature with special detergents.

You can try washing sails in the bath, but I've found that fulfilling only in an appeal to infantile water play, and almost useless for producing clean, soft sails.

The main point in washing sails is to get rid of the salt in them which crystallises, cutting the fibres and acting a focus for UV. That can be done most efficiently with a power-washer on the pontoons of a marina.

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[Evadne]

I asked the sailmaker this question when I had an oil-stained mainsail cleaned a few years back and, basically, the answer was yes. I would presume it is a pretty low temperature wash. My main has a luff of 27' and a foot of 11'6" so there was no way it would fit into the machine at home, it needed their industrial sized washing machine to clean it properly. I'd already tried washing it by hand (or more accurately by foot) in the bath, but that didn't work very well. I don't know what detergent they used, but it was pretty good stuff.

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[steve_cronin]

Just a caveat.....

Pressure washers will destroy stitching so acare must be taken not to maintain the jet onto the seams for long and only to use minimal pressure.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion