Anybody ever try re-coating a kite or a wing? I was going to buy a used wing that doesn't feel overly bagged out yet, and is in good condition, but I notice the material saturates and holds water more than a new wing, making it heavier when wet. Newly coated wings are very water repellant and stay light.
Not sure its worth the trouble, but curious as to whether people do it and if so, how and with what?
Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
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Toby
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
With extremely expensive Aluula frames coming out, I think re-coating ripstop will be a thing. Especially since the Aluula fabric is supposed to be non-reactive to UV - leaving kiters with an extremely expensive frame in great shape and weak canopies after a few years.
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alexeyga
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
Anybody tried the "search" thingy? Rumor is - 99% of inquiries have been answered a few folds over...
There have been a couple of kite-specific products floating around, but - AFAIK - they all went belly up as 40$US per kite is too expensive for an average kite folk, nevermind the effort required in terms of prep work (de-salting, cleaning, drying, de-greasing).
Quick and dirty solutions: whatever you can get in terms of "wateproofing" products with UV protection for patio funriture, convertible soft tops, soft tonneau covers, boat soft tops, tents, etc. Stick to known brands and ideally - marine lines. Ex.: 303 Fabric Guard. This will restore water repellent properties, but as far as crunchy-ness and "new feel" - don't get your hopes too high and your millage will vary on the product chosen.
Really complicated solution: some crafty folks are having great results with transparent silicone cocking diluted in solvent - which results in pretty much "brand new" feel. But I seriously doubt that anybody around here would be interested in bothering that far...
PS - 303 "aerospace protectant" doesn't do squat for kite fabrics... Don't ask me how I know....
There have been a couple of kite-specific products floating around, but - AFAIK - they all went belly up as 40$US per kite is too expensive for an average kite folk, nevermind the effort required in terms of prep work (de-salting, cleaning, drying, de-greasing).
Quick and dirty solutions: whatever you can get in terms of "wateproofing" products with UV protection for patio funriture, convertible soft tops, soft tonneau covers, boat soft tops, tents, etc. Stick to known brands and ideally - marine lines. Ex.: 303 Fabric Guard. This will restore water repellent properties, but as far as crunchy-ness and "new feel" - don't get your hopes too high and your millage will vary on the product chosen.
Really complicated solution: some crafty folks are having great results with transparent silicone cocking diluted in solvent - which results in pretty much "brand new" feel. But I seriously doubt that anybody around here would be interested in bothering that far...
PS - 303 "aerospace protectant" doesn't do squat for kite fabrics... Don't ask me how I know....
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Just Passing Through
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
When I raced 49ers, Olympic sailing skiff, we used to marinate the spinnakers in McLube Sailkote. Filled a garden mister and sprayed down the sail while it hung by two of the corners. This helped the spinnaker slide in the dousing sock and also limited water saturation of the ripstop. Wear a respiraor if you try this. The chemical (Krytox) cannot be good for your lungs.
The challenge was fixing any tears or holes after application. Nothing would stick to the McLube coating...
The challenge was fixing any tears or holes after application. Nothing would stick to the McLube coating...
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sarc
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
It's been discussed to death in this forum. Do a search for shoe goo in this forum. Me and my friends have a dozen kites recoated, works beautifully.
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alexeyga
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
Care to elaborate on your experience? This Shoe Goo stuff seems a little heavy and - according to the specs sheet - it has no UV resistance what so ever.
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rnelias
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Re: Re-Coating a Kite / Wing?
I wonder know what's the actual stuff used by the kite companies but it's surely an industrial secret 