How do they wash them?

[javip82 0]

My friend is about to send his container for a wash, and I was just wondering if anyone knows how they wash this containers? Like the old days by hand, your typical washing machine, or sophisticated machinery that we do not know about?

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You know what's out there.
Take it, it's your's INMORTALITY!!!

[wingnut 0]

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Like the old days by hand

that way.... well atleasti have yet to hear about it being done by someone in the washing machine that knew what they were doing...

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"i have no reader's digest version"

[Dumpster 0]

I've heard of some folks taking a pressure washer to a fully dissassembled rig. I do mine by hand though, with a little bit of laundry soap and a six-pack of barley pop.

Easy Does It

[darkwing 4]

There are a FEW people who use a washing machine, but the vast majority use a big tub (or a bathtub), Woolite, a not-too-stiff brush, and plenty of elbow grease, and soak time.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[masterrig 1]

I've heard also, of the power wash thing. My problem with that is ... I don't know what is in the soap they use! If you have a soap in a power washer that will remove road tar and everything but the paint, I don't know what it might or will do to the harness-container. That's why I spot clean, then wash them by hand in mild soap and luke-warm or cooler temp. water.


Chuck

[freeflygirlz 0]

I do not wash my rigs. Its not good for the material and its getting dirty more quickly after it. There is a kind of impregnation on the material, which is removed by washing.
If its really necessary I wash only certain parts (leg straps), but usually time, air in freefall and sun are doing there job and the dirt will vanish on its one.

[piisfish 135]

[replythat way.... well atleasti have yet to hear about it being done by someone in the washing machine that knew what they were doing...

[bliston 0]

Different manufactures have recommended different things. Sunpath, for example, recommended that rigs be put into a mesh bag and washed in a machine with cold water. RWS says to do the bathtub and woolite.

I'd disagree that washing is bad for a harness/container. In fact, I'd argue that getting dirt and sand particles out of cordura and webbing could actually help extend the life of a rig (think of what sand paper does).

I'm pretty sure that nothing is done to impregnate material as rigs are made. Unless you are washing off post production scotchguard, I can't see how a rig would get dirty more easily after a wash.

Ben

Mass Defiance 4-wayFS website


sticks!

[riggerrob 558]

Quote

I've heard also, of the power wash thing. My problem with that is ... I don't know what is in the soap they use! If you have a soap in a power washer that will remove road tar and everything but the paint, I don't know what it might or will do to the harness-container. That's why I spot clean, then wash them by hand in mild soap and luke-warm or cooler temp. water.

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Another disadvantage with pressure-washing is that it might blow the urethane coating off the inside of Cordura or para pack.
Urethane not only water-proofs Cordura, it also stabilizes the weave, extending its life.

Chuck

[riggerrob 558]

Quote

I do not wash my rigs. Its not good for the material and its getting dirty more quickly after it. There is a kind of impregnation on the material, which is removed by washing.
If its really necessary I wash only certain parts (leg straps), but usually time, air in freefall and sun are doing there job and the dirt will vanish on its one.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Where you jump makes a huge difference in how often you need to wash your rig.
The California desert can make a rig filthy after only 300 jumps. All that grit and salt grind away at the inside of fabrics, vastly reducing their life.
On the other hand, a thousand jumps in dairy country will only cause a few minor grass stains.

[jrcrackers 0]

Mesh bag in a front load machine on delicate

[masterrig 1]

Excellent point!


Chuck

[wingnut 0]

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I know of master riggers who wash them in the machine

yeahit was pointed out to me in a pm... i was wrong.... i'm dumb......

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"i have no reader's digest version"

[javip82 0]

ok so now that I know what methods they use to wash the rig, what do you think would be much better for the rig. Wash it at home with some toothbrush and a lot of soap? or let them do the work? what will be better for the rig?

____________________________________
You know what's out there.
Take it, it's your's INMORTALITY!!!

[wingnut 0]

Quote

what do you think would be much better for the rig.

i have no idea really... not a rigger.....

keeping it in an airtight climate controled enviroment so it never gets dirty would be best...... but i have no idea.... froma work stand point it all comes down to this.... what is worth more to you, paying the rigger to do it or the time it will take you to do it...... if it was me i'd problyhave the rigger do it as it's easier...lol....

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"