Kite Care and Longevity
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 11:15
One thing I keep noticing about newbies and some experienced kiters is how they treat their kites after a session. We all know that kites don't come cheap but in order to get the most performance and life out of a kite is to take extra care in packing it away after your session. Often times many newbies will crash their kites on the water and this is inevitable. What you do with it after can make a difference over the life of your kite.
If you crash a kite on the water, cannot relaunch it, not enough wind or you have to leave the best thing you can do for your kite is to not drag it through sand and let it accumulate on it after it is wet. Sand is abbrasive. If your kite is wet packing it away wet can lead to mold and mildew forming which stains but usually salt water doesn't do this only fresh water. However it still causes wear so you should lay out out inflated to dry for a few minutes.
I usually pack my kites up on a flat surface if available and have a dust brush with soft bristles with me to wipe off sand. Deflate the struts and bladders completely. For the strut I start at the end and roll them like a tube of tooth paste to the valve forcing all the air out and seal you valves when done to prevent sand grains from getting in the bladder material. It won't pop a kite but eventuall the sand bouncing around will wear pinholes in the bladder material. Roll the leading edge bladder from outside to the center valve on each side. Seal all valves when deflated. Dust off any sand from the kite and fold your kite gently to prevent stretching of your panels. Sunlight is also damaging to your kite try not to leave it out for long periods of time when not in use. I know easier said than done but sand is the biggest enemy of your kites material.
If you practice these general tips you should be able to make your kite last beyond two seasons.
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 14:32
#1
Water repellent?
on that topic.... my Best 2006 Waroo is still flying well, but it doesn't seem to repel water the way it used to. Any way to fix that?
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 19:13
#2
Try some of the products listed in the link below
lodyyy wrote:
on that topic.... my Best 2006 Waroo is still flying well, but it doesn't seem to repel water the way it used to. Any way to fix that?
http://www.rei.com/search?cat=4500001_Tents+and+Shelters&cat=40000702&hi...
Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:15
#3
Yep - Nikwax!
I've started using the NikWax products. I Use the Tent Waterproof and UV protect product and it works great! Need to re-apply every 5-10 sessions but it's pretty straightforward to apply.
Tue, 03/08/2011 - 15:06
#5
I read a few things on kite
I read a few things on kite care that made me go, "REALLY"! Some kite manuals say "Wash of with sweet water and dry completely after each use".
Who the heck can do this? Most of us can find a hose but then dry it properly? If not dry and still wet with sweet water it will cause terrible mold and damage the kite. I'd rater have it wet with salt water as nothing will happen. As to the sand, yes makes a lot of sense. But again, not always possible to dry the kite and shake off most sand. I wonder if any brushing off actually causes more scratching problems than help even with a soft brush. Shaking off a bit might be the most gentle way.
Now a question regarding the valves. Somebody told me to keep them open to avoid enlarging the valve over time. Meaning they will stay close more tightly in the long run and don't just pop open. What is the take on that?
Would love the get more input on this topic.
Wed, 03/09/2011 - 10:41
#6
one thing that i do that have
one thing that i do that have saved my kites for the past couple of years is that i keep them rolled with struts inflated and hanged up it keeps it from having wrinkles and creases which leads to waterproof cracking. if you have space then this is what i suggest. instead of folding, packing and storing it..my kites are old 2004-08 but they are like new conditions..
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 00:37
#7
Definitely pull your plugs
Definitely pull your plugs for storage. My first kites I stored them with valves plugged up and they got very loose after a year or so. If I can't pack up my kite cleanly at the beach (without sand all over it) I will roll it up then plug it so no sand gets in the bladders then shake it out at home in the yard or garage then pull the plugs when the sand is clear.
As far as rinsing kites, screw that, what a pain in the ass. I would rather store a sandy kite than a wet kite any day. Moisture will ruin rip stop over time not to mention cause all your colors to bleed into each other. Fly till it's dry is the motto to live by. If you crash the kite in the drink right before the end of your ride, relaunch and fly it till it's dried off. Good excuse to stay out longer and you won't have to deal with a nasty sandy kite.
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 08:58
#8
Fly till it's dry- except
Fly till it's dry- except when it's raining or snowing out.
It was a tough Winter for drying out kites. My backyard had 3' snow on it so I had no where to pump them up at home to dry. Poor kites.
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 12:54
#9
I hang even my large kites in the basement
I took two 8 foot 2x2s and hung them by their ends from the ceiling with just a few nails and a few feet of string for each end of the boards. Then I drape my kite over the boards. The kites make an "M" shape lying over the boards, the middle of the "M" and wing tips hanging just above the floor. If really wet, I just flick on a nearby fan until the kite is dry, which happens fast in a cool dry basement. I never clean / dry my kites outdoors. The sand doing this method just falls to the floor as the kite dries. I also like this method because there is a minimal amount of handling and throwing around the deflated kite, so it won't get ripped or caught on anything sharp, etc.
Prerequisite: Basement where you can hang from the ceiling.
Thu, 08/25/2011 - 14:30
#10
Another thing...
On kites with pulleys, it's a good idea to wax the pulley lines, you'll extend the life of these lines (and pulleys) by gazillion times... Marine rope wax, ski wax, rain-X wax... doesn't really matter what you use as long as you take a few minutes to do it every half-a-dozen outings or so... On my 2008 kites the pulley lines are still in better condition than on some 2011 kites I've seen lately... that's after averaging about 50 sessions per year...
Cheers!
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 14:38
#11
I find this interesting
I was thinking to do that, but I was thinking that having less resistance from line-->pulley interface would make the line slide over the pulley, bearing not turning. What you want (in theory) is the line not sliding over the pulley, but gripping the pulley so that the pulley bearing is taking the friction. I could see how it could go both ways though.... If you have less friction from waxing the line, then there couldn't possibly be enough to eat away at the line if it is less than the pulley bearing.
Of course, if it worked so well to wax, then why wouldn't manufacturers just not use pulleys and recommend you wax lines. Probably because people are assumed to be inherently lazy with safety and maintenance.
Well, this is the real world, and real world observations is best, seems like what you are doing is working. That's good enough for me to consider doing the same!
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 14:29
#12
Get sponsored...
So you can roll it up wet, throw it in the Slingshot bag and get out on the water the next day!LOL That's what I did for a year! Simply, don't crash it and it won't get what, much easier to accomplish that if you are riding waves and not doing all that spinning, gyrating stuff 
Your kite is pourous now since it is an 06. Not much you can do but replace it but if it still works for you than keep it. I guess you can try Scotch Fabric Guard spray on? See if that works.
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