Coating to reduce the air permeability in old flysurfers

[mrandrewandrade]

I have a very UV logged FS 19m which doesn't told air, and flaps when you dive it through the power zone. I learnt about the "kiss test" where can see if air permeates through the canopy, and when you suck the kite, you can feel that air passes through, unlike the new Souls that I tried on the beach.

I was wondering if someone has any luck coating their kite to reduce the permeability.

I was looking at some of these products:
https://www.sailboats.co.uk/trade-secre ... al-n-glide
https://www.sail-and-kite.com/english/s ... e-coating/
Marine Goop, 10.2oz Tubes (canadian product)
Mini 4-Pack, Marine Goop, 0.18oz Tube
Xylol Xlyene


Any advice here?

[JakeFarley]

There's a thread entitled Recoating Kite Fabric that has some info that may prove helpful to you.

[TomW]

Those products look pretty interesting. Not expensive. Might try it on my 2 yr old Hyperlink V1. Over 200 hrs on it. Still fly's great.

[Janus]

I remember using nikwax on Psycho's years ago.. worked wel.

Must be my sick mind but.. suck your kite?.. and on the beach? just somebody's kite? did you ask the owner or did you just do it?..

[Peert]

Must be my sick mind but.. suck your kite?.. and on the beach? just somebody's kite? did you ask the owner or did you just do it?..

you are not alone

[Horst Sergio]

My experience with this stuff using 2 times many years ago on a half consumed FS Speed 3 deluxe, first gen.

It works for some days, but on the end it is not worth the effort and costs to do it, not talking about possible enviromental effects.

Sorry to say.

[Tomlutz]

I have a very UV logged FS 19m which doesn't told air, and flaps when you dive it through the power zone.

Just read in the latest newsmagazine of the Swiss paragliding association an interview with an expert in paraglider testing. He said that porosity has little infuence on the flying characteristics of a paraglider, unlike what most people fear or blame it - unjustified. Much more important is the length of the bridle lines and various other criteria. Of course a paraglider doesn't need to relaunch from water ...

[foilholio]

Well it has a big effect on kites, and I have tested it. Some differences with a kite over paraglider are, greater AoA range particularly important to porosity is the lower AoA and then lower air intake area so less air in is more effected by more air out, other things like different uses like water relaunching were porosity to air will equal also water in. Paragliders are actually more greatly affected by porosity because it causes collapses and death but then they do not use their gear any where near what a kite gets used for so wear on the fabric doesn't even approach the same level.

[RedSky]

There were discussions on this many many years ago. Such treatments could increase the chance of blowing holes in the canopy if slammed.

[StillLovinIt]

Here's the old thread: Recoating kite fabric