kite clean/protect products

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
SirLancelot
SirLancelot
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
20 Jan 2011 11:17am
Was looking through old threads and wondering if anyone bothers to use any sort of kite protectant/cleaner at any stage of their kite life? I'm guessing it's probably a minority. Anyone noticed a product that seems to work? I know some products make the kite 'look' new again, but does it actually work?

Calling Sir V - any update on this thread? (only one i found so far).
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Kitelife-Equipment-Protectant/?page=3

Briskites mentioned this:
www.holmenkol.com/de-de/en_GB/produkte/aquatic/kite-surf/sealnglide-100.html?id=348&category=255&___store=en&___from_store=de
Anyone used it?

In short i'm looking to (1) clean the kite, (2) apply something to extend the life, if possible.
Cheers.
Sir V
Sir V
QLD
490 posts
QLD, 490 posts
20 Jan 2011 12:41pm
SirLancelot said...

Was looking through old threads and wondering if anyone bothers to use any sort of kite protectant/cleaner at any stage of their kite life? I'm guessing it's probably a minority. Anyone noticed a product that seems to work? I know some products make the kite 'look' new again, but does it actually work?

Calling Sir V - any update on this thread? (only one i found so far).
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Kitelife-Equipment-Protectant/?page=3

Briskites mentioned this:
www.holmenkol.com/de-de/en_GB/produkte/aquatic/kite-surf/sealnglide-100.html?id=348&category=255&___store=en&___from_store=de
Anyone used it?

In short i'm looking to (1) clean the kite, (2) apply something to extend the life, if possible.
Cheers.


Hi SirLancelot - got your PM..

I have no major comments to add to the old thread.. the product did work. I still have the cover I tried it on and it is in good condition - translation: it hasn't fallen apart. Time will tell.

The kite wash is good and it takes away grit and mud stains. But then again so would water and soap ..

In regards to improving longevity, far too early to tell. I have not needed to use it on any of my kites but I must say the old kite I sold looked twice as good when I applied the protectant. Disclaimer: I didn't apply the protectant for the purpose of.. that was a few months ago and the kite just went 2 weeks ago. Did it look better than normal? Yes, when it was applied. In december the kite was looking good as normal.

In conclusion:
- Do I have miracle claims to make about the product - Nope
- Do I have any bad things to say about it - Nope
- Does it work> Yes, maybe..

I guess you'll have to make your own mind up. Sorry for not being more helpfull.

Cheers

V


Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5126 posts
VIC, 5126 posts
20 Jan 2011 5:46pm
I give the leading edge a bit of a wipe with a damp chamois when packing up. It gets off any mud stains, sand or dust and minor abrasion marks from the sand.

Other than that, just pack it carefully and put it in the bag.

From time to time fly it down and land it on the water so that excess salt and dust gets rinsed off.

The biggest cause of damage is dragging the kite across hard and sharp objects like footpath and rocks and shells and bushes and stuff. The solution is simple ... don't do those things.

There's not a lot of point in rubbing moisturiser and cleansing lotions on your kite. They last for several years easily with no real maintenance and lots of use. By that time there's a bunch of better new kites on the market.

No matter how good the condition of your kites they are going to depreciate at 50-60% each year.
rumblefish
rumblefish
TAS
824 posts
TAS, 824 posts
20 Jan 2011 8:26pm
I have sold Seal N' Glide for a while for dinghy sailors.

They use it their spinnakers, especially when they get launched from chutes.

The main reasons they use it is to make it slippery in the chute but also as less water logged when it goes in the drink.

For kites I think the two main advantages are water repellant and help keeping it clean. Whether that prolongs the life I'm not sure, but the dinghy sailors reckon it does for their spinnakers as it catches on things less.

RF
SirLancelot
SirLancelot
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
21 Jan 2011 10:01am
Thanks for the responses, i'll look into one of the products or just check out a sailing shop and see how it works. What the kite needs is a decent clean and anything that may also help. A waterphobic product sounds good. I quite like the kite and i'd like to keep it for some time yet so not worried about resale, although i understand the temptation of a new kite...
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply