Kite Canopy Stain removal

Erniepayne · Since 18 Oct 2011 10 Posts

Has anybody found a good product or method to remove stains from a kite canopy without damaging it? I bought a used Cult that is stained up in the white section.....plain soap and water doesn't work. Yea I know it adds character...........looking for useful hints.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1773 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Probably color bleed. Do the stains match any other color on the kite? If its removable soapy water will do it. if not, anything else will degrade the material.

Do you want to look prettier, or live longer.

Unless you are a fashion model, the answer should be obvious. Rolling Eyes

Erniepayne · Since 18 Oct 2011 10 Posts

Thanks for the input. So I guess I shouldn't use the bleach I was planning on using (just kidding of course). I think it is some sort of water staining from being put away wet (kind of brownish/greenish) ... I am pretty sure it is not color bleed......... your answer is what I had figured, but since i am new to this sport and not an expert I thought I would ask the guru's.... I already tried the soap and water approach with no success overall it is not really a big deal ...........I am definitely not a fashion model or even fashion conscious (my wife will attest to the lack of fashion sense).......the other kites I have still appear nearly new as I am a bit of a nut for taking good care of my equipment and always let them dry out before packing them away or else I take them out and dry them once at home......I figured drying them properly before storage would help them last longer.... obviously what really matters.............the other kites I hae sure look prettier than this one and I don't think this one likes being the ugly sister......she flys just as good but just doesn't get the same amount of attention from the boy kites so I thought I would pretty her up for her self esteem..............

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

I have tried getting this out of kites in the past with no luck. I think you're stuck. Those mildew stains seem to get inside the fabric and stay there.

It has always been recommended to not use any harsh cleaners as they'll damage the fabric.

If you find something that works, let us know. You can always just trace the stains with a big fat sharpee and make a pretty design. Then nobody will notice the stains. Smile

DOPEFLY · Since 13 Oct 2007 97 Posts Maui

Ride the coast. Salt and sand will wear all that funky stuff off. I bought a kite with a white leading edge from The Hood in '08 that had mildew and columbia funk all over it. 3-4 drops in a wave and some self launches will clean it right up.

Nak · Tue Apr 03, 12 12:29 pm

Good thread here. I have some old '04 fuels that I might try different cleaners on to see if they harm the fabric.

Rubbing alchohol works to clean the fabric before patching, it might take out some stains?

Hydrogen peroxide works great to get organic material off of patio furnitue, I'll try it on the '04 fuel & see what happens.

Any other ideas of cleaners I can test?

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Vinegar

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

ernie pretty sure what you're experiencing is the silkscreen/ink bleed onto the canopy. not much you can do. doesn't hurt the kite other than the appearance.
I've seen it worse on certain models than others. I ride naish kites and have it on just about every model to a certain degree. putting your kites away dry will minimize this, however if you like to kite in the rain, not much you can do about it.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2619 Posts The 503 METAL

Gaaaa, color bleed don't get me started! For a long time I thought it was diatoms, or the muck from Rooster. This year I pulled out a brand new kite that I had previously brought out to the beach but didn't end up kiting. I didn't think it got wet, but there was enough moisture in the air to get in the kite and cause the colors to run.

Obviously not a big deal, but to see a brand new kite looking shabby taking the resale hit before I even kite it hurts. For my next quiver I'll be looking for the mono-chromatic designs...or atleast something with no WHITE!

Evil or Very Mad

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot