Recoating old canopies?

[tr027 0]

Will PD take a used canopy and recalendar/reslipperize it? If so you could essentially rebuild an old canopy like new with a new lineset and coating.

"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957

[mark 102]

Yes, they will. The usual procedure is to replace rather than recoat the fabric, since the first coating is applied by the fabric manufacturer instead of PD. If you get a new set of lines at the same time, PD will probably throw in a new serial number for free.

Mark

[slotperfect 7]

From PD's website FAQ:

Quote

We have heard of people doing this, but we don't recommend it.
The zero-p material we use is coated when the fabric is manufactured using a precise, controlled process. We don't buy low-porosity material and spray it ourselves to make it zero-p. Skydivers have tried using various products to make their own canopies "zero-p," but these products reportedly don't last very long if they even work at all. Certain chemicals can damage or degrade nylon, so you also risk shortening the life of your canopy by applying any product that isn't specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

It's also important to realize that canopies are designed around the specific fabric being used. The shape of the airfoils, trims, brake settings, and slider are all carefully selected to give the best combination of openings, flight characteristics, and landings. The shape of the parts and the trims used on zero-p canopies are very different from those used on canopies designed for “F-111” type material.

So even if you could spray something on an "F-111" canopy to make it "zero-p," you might not be happy with the results. Doing this will probably cause the canopy to open way too fast, with extremely high opening forces. Structural failure of the canopy and serious personal injury may occur. Since each of our canopies is specifically designed for the type of fabric we use to build it, and changing the characteristics of the fabric can have undesirable effects.

Arrive Safely

John

[phoenixlpr 0]

In my reading it's more about coating a non-ZP and not about recoating a ZP.

[masterrig 1]

Quote

From PD's website FAQ:

Quote

We have heard of people doing this, but we don't recommend it.
The zero-p material we use is coated when the fabric is manufactured using a precise, controlled process. We don't buy low-porosity material and spray it ourselves to make it zero-p. Skydivers have tried using various products to make their own canopies "zero-p," but these products reportedly don't last very long if they even work at all. Certain chemicals can damage or degrade nylon, so you also risk shortening the life of your canopy by applying any product that isn't specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

It's also important to realize that canopies are designed around the specific fabric being used. The shape of the airfoils, trims, brake settings, and slider are all carefully selected to give the best combination of openings, flight characteristics, and landings. The shape of the parts and the trims used on zero-p canopies are very different from those used on canopies designed for “F-111” type material.

So even if you could spray something on an "F-111" canopy to make it "zero-p," you might not be happy with the results. Doing this will probably cause the canopy to open way too fast, with extremely high opening forces. Structural failure of the canopy and serious personal injury may occur. Since each of our canopies is specifically designed for the type of fabric we use to build it, and changing the characteristics of the fabric can have undesirable effects.

_____________________________________

A few years ago, a jumper at our DZ, sprayed his 'Fury' with tent spray (water repellent). He claimed the canopy flew "better than new!"


Chuck

[tr027 0]

Quote

In my reading it's more about coating a non-ZP and not about recoating a ZP.

So you would have to first send it to the fabric manufacturer for a recoat (if they do that), then send it to PD or a rigger/owner for the lineset.

It's seems too good to be true to get free ZP canopy fabric replacement with installment of a new lineset, doesn t it ?? that one canopy would last forever, literally.

"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957

[mark 102]

Quote

So you would have to first send it to the fabric manufacturer for a recoat (if they do that), then send it to PD or a rigger/owner for the lineset.

Continuing to feed the trolls:

The manufacturer coats the fabric only when it is flat. You'll have to carefully disassemble your canopy, marking each piece of tape as well as each piece of fabric, so that it can be reassembled once it is recoated.

Mark

[bodypilot1 0]

Quote

Yes, they will. The usual procedure is to replace rather than recoat the fabric, since the first coating is applied by the fabric manufacturer instead of PD. If you get a new set of lines at the same time, PD will probably throw in a new serial number for free.

Mark

Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

The manufacturer coats the fabric only when it is flat. You'll have to carefully disassemble your canopy, marking each piece of tape as well as each piece of fabric, so that it can be reassembled once it is recoated.

I do know someone who once came up with a formula from the mil-spec for parachute nylon coatings. He would just hang the canopy up, and squirt it with a paint-sprayer to apply a fresh coat.

However, the several people I know who had him do that, ended up with bad results. The problem is that a canopy is old to begin with in order to need a new coating. And the new coating just transfers opening shock to other aged components, like seams and line attachement points, which start failing. I've seen several such treated canopies blow apart afterwards.

So my advice in this regard is that if the canopy is that bad, just retire the darned thing and get a new one. It's not worth it to try and breathe new life into it.

It becomes like an old car that requires ever-more maintenance to keep it running, and at some point, it just isn't worth the money any more.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Wow! Thats a great post!