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watercamper
Since 08 Sep 2017
89 Posts
Boise
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Tue Sep 22, 20 8:17 am Foil Hardware, Teflon Tape, Saltwater |
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This winter will be my first foiling in seawater. I have the Slingshot Space Skate setup, aluminum masts and fuselage.
The recommendation from SS is to first coat the fasteners with Prolan then teflon tape. What is the purpose of the tape? I have also gotten a recommendation from a kite shop to use the tape first then the Prolan. I've found that cleaning the tape from the fasteners is a pain. I'd rather just use the Prolan. Comments?
I've gotten a recommendation to pull the hardware weekly when using in seawater. Clean the fasteners, apply Prolan and re-install. Will this be good enough?
I've been told the the titanium fasteners used by SS are soft and there have been some problems with them all of a sudden breaking and people have lost their wing. The recommendation to me is to replace the Ti with Stainless Steel. What do you think?
If you've got any other advice, I would appreciate it. |
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wylieflyote
Since 30 Jun 2006
1646 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster
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Tue Sep 22, 20 9:13 am |
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I foil salt and fresh water. I very light dab of Lithium grease is all I've ever needed. Once years ago I neglected everything on an Alum LF mast and it froze solid. Don't do that. Disassemble frequently _________________ CGKA Member
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Kip Wylie |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1303 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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watercamper
Since 08 Sep 2017
89 Posts
Boise
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Tue Sep 22, 20 12:42 pm |
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I read your thread. It prompted me to write. I especially wanted to hear about the Teflon Tape. |
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Freeride Kiter
Since 08 Jul 2011
701 Posts
El Sargento, B.C.S. Mexico
Instructor
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Tue Sep 22, 20 1:15 pm Lanocote |
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Anything will work. We use Lanocote on all our persona, student and rental foils in Baja. Never had a seize. If the foil is going to sit for a few days without use, we back the screws off a half-turn too. _________________ "I have often regretted my speech, never my silence" ~Xenocrates |
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watercamper
Since 08 Sep 2017
89 Posts
Boise
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Tue Sep 22, 20 3:00 pm Re: Lanocote |
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Freeride Kiting wrote: | Anything will work. We use Lanocote on all our persona, student and rental foils in Baja. Never had a seize. If the foil is going to sit for a few days without use, we back the screws off a half-turn too. |
OK! This is one of the things that I was after. I'll be in El Sargento for the winter. Is there a schedule (as in system) that you follow (assuming that everything was put together with the Lanocote and no teflon tape)? i.e. Rinse with fresh water after every use, once a week, remove all fasteners, clean with CLR, re-coat with Lanocote, re-install. Etc. BTW - which school are you with? Thx! |
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Singlemalt
Since 21 Jun 2015
472 Posts
White Salmon
Obsessed
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Tue Sep 22, 20 4:36 pm |
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I'd skip the teflon tape. Like you said, its a mess every time you take it apart.
Just be sure threads are clean. The aluminum masts are very soft metal and its easy to strip the threads.
On the other hand, the aluminum cuts nicely on any carbide tipped miter saw. If you have to shorten a mast.... fairly easy to cut new threads with the right tap.
Then, any marine grease and periodic maintenance. _________________ Pull the cork. |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4234 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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Thatspec
Since 17 Mar 2008
119 Posts
Ptucky
Stoked
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wylieflyote
Since 30 Jun 2006
1646 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster
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Wed Sep 23, 20 11:48 am |
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watercamper,
I winter 5 months every year in Mexico and only take things apart every month or so. As long as your threads have some coating you should be Ok. _________________ CGKA Member
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Kip Wylie |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1303 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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