Hi Folks

I just bought a kite that, unbeknown to me had acquired some "Playa Patina", and was wondering if any of you experienced desert flyers have any sugestions to remove it from the fabric?
Mark Groshens thought there was a posting some time ago regarding this problem.

Any help out there?

Thanks
Blake

I could be wrong here, but i think a little bit of water, a soft rag, and patience. Just be gentle with it as sand is very abrasive.

If it is just a coating of dust, i guess a spirited flying session in decent wind would probably sort it out. :-D

Quote:

Originally posted by Blake Hi Folks I just bought a kite that, unbeknown to me had acquired some "Playa Patina", and was wondering if any of you experienced desert flyers have any sugestions to remove it from the fabric? Mark Groshens thought there was a posting some time ago regarding this problem. Any help out there? Thanks Blake

I also just recently bought a kite that was used during NABX. When it arrived to me, it looked like it has been dusted off a little by the seller. So it didn't look that bad, but still...I took it to my work and used an air hose to blow the remaining dust. There were areas that couldn't be removed using air hose so I used a damped cloth to wipe those, now the kite looks new.

e

Hard to justify washing the playa dust off of my kites as it just gets back on there again the following weekend. I do like the days out at the park late at night or early morning when the dew is there, that kind of gets the kites back to their original color again...but it only lasts until the next weekend. *sigh*

I just try to convince myself that the playa dust just gives the kite character.

I wrapped my Rage around a fence post today, and miraclously did no damage other than some grease. Does anyone know how to remove grease from a sail without doing more damage?

I always use water and a soft sponge for general cleaning. for tough spots I will use a little bit of gentle soap like Dove or Ivory hand soap. Detergents are not a good idea generally, but I have heard some suggest mild detergents sparingly for tough spots. Might be needed for grease.

Anotehr idea I have heard from reliable sources is a bit of dry cleaning fluid.

I have not tryed this yet but I was told by a fellow nabx attendee that if you put the kite in a bucket of water with vinegar and give it a good soaking that the vinegar will neutralize the dust and clean the kite. Has anyone else heard or tryed this.

Susan