Coating/Protecting your lines

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

I've noticed that the ends of my lines, particularly where they attach to the pigtails, the protective "waxy" coating tends to get worn off a lot quicker than anywhere else, and hoping there is a product or something out there that I can reseal them with. Any recommendations?

I think the lines are fine, they just tend to look worn out, when the integrity of the line is still there, just would like them to keep that appearance and longevity.

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

You can do a few things.

When the loops or knots get worn, cut the line a few inches and tie a new knot. The other option to pro-long the life of the line end is to use a sleeving kit. Very simple. Just google sleeving kit. Costs like 5-$10 for every thing you need to do multiple sleeves.

Into the wind dot com is a regular online kite shop (not kite surfing) that I think has them.

Good luck

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

rubbing some paraffin wax on them might help too, I did that for the thick grey spectra rope thing (on advice from somebody else, forgot who) and it effectively froze the wear and it never got any worse, might help for your kite lines too.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

Spike does sand stick to the parrifin??

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Sep 29, 09 8:05 am

any kind of wax has the potential to cause dirt and sand build up.

Just buy new pigtails or re-sleeve. Thanks for the website krazed, I need some sleeving kits to make a short line set.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

the sand doesn't stick to the wax any more than it does to dry lines, you use a very thin coat of wax, maybe just one pass over a block of paraffin. Once again, I've only done it on the thick grey spectra rope, not sure how the lines would fare with wax on them. It should be noted however that on the spectra it basically never got any more worn since the wax was applied.

I think the key is to use paraffin wax, as opposed to surfboard board wax, because it is not sticky. Surfboard wax I think would be a terrible idea to coat your lines with.

Sol-flyer · Tue Sep 29, 09 9:20 am

Slingshot makes a spraycoat for lines,..I'm not sure but it may be a "teflon" coating. I would use that before using wax,...just my 2 cents

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

A Silicone dry lubricant may be an option too (called "sailcoat"). We use it on our sailboat for everything from making the pullys run smooth to coating the sail with so it is easy to hoist.

I've actually also used it to coat the bottom of my board for some extra speed Very Happy