I hope I'm not asking a dumb question. I'm a noob and a search didn't turn up anything.

How do I wash a kite? I just bought a kite from a guy that used it somewhere very dusty. Its a HG crossfire not a surf kite. Is there a safe way to clean it and what should I clean it with?

Clean water and a soft cloth, just rub it a little and you'll get the bulk of the dirt out, to dry drape the kite over something, sundeck railing works, don't hang it by the bridal lines they can stretch when wet with a heavy kite.

One idea if you're stuck for space is to hang the kite over the shower curtain rod with the ends sitting in the tub, if it's a big kite, dry off one end, then move the dry part onto the bathroom floor and dry the other half on the curtain rod.

If you have the use of a clothes line, clothes peg it by the trailing edge, bad things happen if you use the leading edge and it gets windy.

Quote:

Originally posted by Pablo If you have the use of a clothes line, clothes peg it by the trailing edge, bad things happen if you use the leading edge and it gets windy.

Hehe...that could be fun to watch...YouTube anyone?!

Actually, how about this--when or how often should I wash my kites? After every trip to the beach? Does the sand and the salt degrade the lines/stitching/nylon?

Salt can damage stitching.... over time but if you don't see crystals or crust I wouldn't worry about it much. I beach fly{50 weekend a year 15 hrs per weekend} and we get plenty of fog that rolls in and I have yet had a wing delam on me except for some, way way back day before power kites took that into account.

dump the sand out and what ever else might be in there like sea gulls, loose change, occasional chihuahua that might get scooped up ,no harm no foul that's all there is to it


but if you have to

another way if you have to wash your wing is to take your line set off, lark your bridal to another line so it won't tangled up toss it into a pillow case tie up the end on it and dosh it with light soap and plenty of water

and the other way to keep you wing sparkling clean is not to use it :evil: but thats no fun use the hell out of it and have fun it just kites.

a lama once said "dust is UV inhibitor" most will go away from flying if its not to bad and I {me}wouldn't worry about it to much, try to fly most of the dust off 1st then if you must for personal preference; just make sure its fully dry before packing away

Wash and dry in the shade, if you can, to avoid the UV. I dry mine by draping over the front porch furniture so that air gets all around it while in the shade.