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Kite maintenance

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Created by philmb > 9 months ago, 21 Feb 2010
philmb
WA, 110 posts
21 Feb 2010 6:39PM
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Besides was/not washin ya kite in fresh water..

Is there any other bits n peices you guys do to maintaine/keep it in good condition?

Thanks.

IanR
NSW, 1360 posts
21 Feb 2010 11:29PM
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Wash resins your lines in fresh water after ever session to stop salt crystals forming in the lines. The crystals can end up cutting the lines from the from the inside. That the only regular maintenance I do. I haven't washed a kite in years. If you do. Do not use any cleaning agents or soap it may attack the coating. Make sure the kite is dry before you put it away. Mould only grows in fresh water not salt water. If you ride a kite with pulley and bridle check them ever couple of weeks for wear and movement.

Mister Dugong
368 posts
21 Feb 2010 8:40PM
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geting rid of sand (coz its abrasive?) is a pain in the arse and I use freshwater for that, I wonder if I should just not bother...

StinkyPete
WA, 241 posts
21 Feb 2010 9:20PM
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I wash my kite every weekend regardless of how many sessions. Try to wash bar each time cause salt water can dry and comes abrasive. Replace pulley lines and pulleys depending on use.

spot1
WA, 1588 posts
21 Feb 2010 9:32PM
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i wash my gear one time.......... at the end of summer

sandman
WA, 432 posts
21 Feb 2010 9:37PM
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not storing it wet in a hot place (ie car) which will sweat off all your bladder valves which will then give way as your pumping up for the downwinder of your life.

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
22 Feb 2010 12:01AM
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sandman said...

not storing it wet in a hot place (ie car) which will sweat off all your bladder valves which will then give way as your pumping up for the downwinder of your life.


Good advice Sandman, just adding that this can happen regardless of wether the kite is wet or not.

Once had 3 (very dry) kites in my car during the day. The result: a total of 7 valves came off two of the kites

Just for the record, the one kite that was unaffected was an old airush (lift 15.5)

arkgee
NSW, 639 posts
22 Feb 2010 10:21AM
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I have found if I don't periodically wash kites with fresh water...the salt builds up on the fabric and when the humidity is high, ie raining...when I unpack the kite the salt has drawn in the moisture and the kite is wet...washing with fresh water prolongs the life of the kite IMO...but make sure it's perfectly dry before you pack it(no mould)...and an old sailor said to me once...salt is ropes worst enemy.

hicky
WA, 55 posts
22 Feb 2010 9:02AM
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Arcgee! what does IMO mean?

au_rick
WA, 752 posts
22 Feb 2010 9:08AM
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hicky said...

Arcgee! what does IMO mean?


IMO = In My Opinion
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion



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"Kite maintenance" started by philmb