Black - Bad choice for a main color?

[denete 2]

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Besides, rainbow canopies make you look gay...

I heard about a study 10 years ago or so, that found that the best visibility color in a "natural" environment was neon pink.

Who knew?

[denete 2]

Another hobby of mine has to do with spotting very small (relatively) objects against the background of the sky. In that activity, the mass of participants found that alternating black and white panels worked well due to the contrast provided regardless of the sky's variations.

[Supergeil 0]

I love my black canopy....Even after the 10hour search after my cut.

We also got an old black stiletto on our dropzone with 1000+ jumps not shiny but not worse than other at that age.

[billvon 2,380]

> Anybody ever replaced a canopy due to UV damage?

I once gave an old PD190 with about 1000 jumps on it to a DZ for use as a light-person transition canopy. They used it to death. I think it had about 2000 jumps on it when it finally blew a cell. The fabric was quite noticeably weakened; most of the canopy did not pass the thumb test when I tried it.

I kept it around for a few years after that as a water training canopy. After use I'd hang it up to dry in the sun. It literally started to disintegrate; you couldn't get it out of the water without tearing it.

I don't know how much of that was plain ol wear and how much was UV damage, but it was pretty dramatic.

[billvon 2,380]

>Can you explain this statement a little?

The nylon is originally whitish. Dye is added to make it black. The dye molecules absorb almost all the light that hits the fabric, which is why it appears black. The dye may indeed break down over time (thus altering the color) but since it prevents light from penetrating to the core of the yarns, protects the nylon yarns from UV damage.

Natural nylon is translucent, allowing UV to penetrate deep inside the yarns and do its damage there.

I have a Nitro with black lines, which is also a UV protective measure. Since lines tend to wear due to friction long before they become brittle from UV I question its utility, but they look cool.

>So you say if the fabric absorbs all the visible light, it is LESS prone to UV
>damage?

If the _dye_ absorbs the light, then yes.

>If anything I'd think it would heat up more as you're flying it under the
>sun . . .

I don't think moderately high temperatures (say, up to 60C or so, which is too hot to touch) affect nylon very much. Now, if you put it in a plastic bag and put it in the sun, you could potentially get much higher temperatures.

[point_code 0]

I have a black and hot pink canopy with about 1000 jumps on it. The pink on the topside is visibly faded compared to the bottom, while the black is only slightly faded on the top compared to the bottom. The black seems to hold up better than pink after 10 years.

[drudchen 0]

Thanks, that makes sense

[akarunway 1]

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Another hobby of mine has to do with spotting very small (relatively) objects against the background of the sky. In that activity, the mass of participants found that alternating black and white panels worked well due to the contrast provided regardless of the sky's variations.

Man. I was just going to post the same. And a black and white container AND reserve. The Zebra rig.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[phoenixlpr 0]

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Anybody ever replaced a canopy due to UV damage? I assume UV damage weakens the fabric, making it more prone to tearing? Could there possibly be any data, even if anecdotal, on what color fabric gets repaired most often for tears? I mean, is color realistically a concern as far as the lifespan of the canopy goes?

Dave

I ask paragliders. Their canopies are eaten by the sun.

[chris74 0]

Wrong now and black color is as UV proof as other colors .
New fabrics now really rock and last longer . Best way to fuck your chute : Sand and put it wet inside your sunny trunk .
Blue skies
Chris
PS : Be careful after a speedriding session with your skydiving canopy : fabrics really don't like snow contact during take off and landing because it is very abrasive