Power Kite Forum

Packing up a wet kite

abkayak - 15-1-2014 at 05:20 PM

Went out 4 days ago and have had my kite hanging for 4days and it won't dry up. Always a 1/4oz water in the cells and weather report is the same mucho humidity and some rain...even the stuff that made it into the garage hasn't dried..I have no choice but to just wait it out...how bad is this??

hiaguy - 15-1-2014 at 07:48 PM

I found that circulating air through the cells with my wives' hairdryer works well. I lay the kite out flat and aim the hairdryer - heat OFF/fan on low - into the dirt-outs. After about an hour at each end it's ready to put away dry. (Please don't tell her ;-) )

skimtwashington - 15-1-2014 at 07:58 PM

As long as air is getting at it I would not worry too much. Mold will form if you pack away a wet kite starting about 3 days in...but yours is hanging in the open air.

ssayre - 15-1-2014 at 08:08 PM

I put mine inside to dry in the warmth unless they get unusually dirty for some reason.

indigo_wolf - 15-1-2014 at 09:11 PM

Whatever you do, don't toss them in the dryer. ;)

There are actually quite a few threads on this topic:
  1. Drying Kites After Cleaning
  2. Drying time?
  3. drying out equipment
  4. Drying your kite
  5. Kite Drying


How large is the kite you are drying?

Are you trying to dry it somewhere where it is heated or someplace like a cold garage?

ATB,
Sam

shaggs2riches - 15-1-2014 at 10:41 PM

When my kites are wet, I like keeping the kite inflated with a desk fan, blown into one of the intake vents. It really speeds up dry time by a lot, and you get to see what an inflated kite looks like in your house.;)

rectifier - 15-1-2014 at 10:58 PM

I usually spread my kites out to dry across the bed, if they get truly wet in winter. With our climate though, you can spill a gallon of water and it will quietly be gone within the day.
If the kite is just snowy I will pack it up and leave it out in the cold to stay frozen... Just remember to dry it properly before the weather gets warm!
If its cold it will dry slow but is also unlikely to mildew.

Baluk - 16-1-2014 at 01:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by indigo_wolf  
Whatever you do, don't toss them in the dryer. ;)


Why not?:evil:

abkayak - 16-1-2014 at 07:06 AM

the Miss will let me do mostly what i want...but the kites dont come in the house to dry..ever...w/ 4 psyco cats not smart anyway...this is a 7.5m, i have it hung outside in front of the garage like always..its been sprayed down to take off most of the sand and just wont dry up enough to be bagged...todays day 6 at worst i have 2 more days till good weather..it's been rain and fog here for a week

Chrisz - 16-1-2014 at 11:04 AM

The wife and cats got to go!

MeatÐriver - 16-1-2014 at 11:25 AM

Or maybe just have all five of them declawed?

acampbell - 16-1-2014 at 12:17 PM

You mentioned water in the cells; drain them by tipping the kite around - in the tub if need be. A good place to dry a kite is over the shower curtain rail in the bath with the tips hanging in the tub. Move it around a lot so air gets everywhere. Someone said hair dryer but make sure temp is not on high.

We all get caught in the rain or something and have to hastily fold a wet kite and run for it. You just can't leave it like that for long. Get home and unfold right away or the colors will bleed and that will be permanent.