drenaline 0 #1 July 6, 2002 Hey Alan, Lisa and any other skydiver (rigger is much better) can tell me how to clean and the tips for cleaning the skydiving equipment without hurting it?(from jumpsuit to any other thing that you use in skydiving equipment) I ask this cause from a thread that I read from Alan it said about cleaning the cable, from another thread I read (can't remember when and who) it said how to clean the container, from another thread (same deal, sorry peps for not writing your nicks or names) it said how to clean the canopy and would like to have all the cleaning tips in one thread not all over the place. Thanks. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #2 July 6, 2002 Okay, I'll start - but cuz I'm first I get the easy one Jumpsuit - Treat stains with your favorite stain remover. Machine wash, cold water. Hang on a hangar to dry - do not machine dry! Do this often and you'll find fewer people shrinking away from you on the plane. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanEHdian 0 #3 July 8, 2002 Actually, my suit's (Tony Suit) instructions are to take from the washing machine and put in dryer on cool setting (air fluff works well) - can not let it sit/soak or drip dry since the colors can run. So far it's worked for me. As for washing instructions - all good, but you might also want to select the 'delicate' cycle. Cheers, CanEHdian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petur 0 #4 July 8, 2002 Tips from the rigging staff at RWS: http://www.relativeworkshop.com/rigging/washing.htm--- P. "It Hurts to Admit When You Make Mistakes - But When They're Big Enough, the Pain Only Lasts a Second." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #5 July 9, 2002 >tips from the rigging staff at RWS: > >http://www.relativeworkshop.com/rigging/washing.htm That's pretty much the way I've heard people cleaning their gear. It goes without saying that you should disconnect the main before washing the container, but disconnecting the reserve can be a good idea too(which of course requires a master rigger). The reason for this is that the reserve risers and lines can "suck" the soapwater into the canopy even if the canopy itself is in a plastic bag. I don't think mild soapwater would damage the canopy, but somehow washing your reserve just doesn't feel right... Erno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packman 0 #6 July 10, 2002 *** but disconnecting the reserve can be a good idea too(which of course requires a master rigger). #1 : you do not have to be a master rigger to disconnect a reserve. #2 : disassemble the entire rig , wash the harness with soap and water , hang up to dry , reassemble it. any rigger can do it. "Trust your Rigger with your Life , but not your Beer or your Wife !" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alan 1 #7 July 11, 2002 Rigging Innovations or any gear manufacturer will give you good instructions for washing your gear if you ask or get a copy of a manual......altough not all have gear cleaning instructions. They may vary. At repack time have your rigger completely disassemble the rig. Then take it into the bath tub with you and use a mild detergent like Woolite...avoid anything with bleach whiteners. Then play rub a dub dub in the tub and have a soft bristle brush to scrub and scrub. Apply soap directly to tougher stains. Warm water. Then rinse and rinse and squeeze and rinse some more. Be sure to change the water for rinsing. Walk on it, sit on it and hug it and squeeze it and love it. After a VERY thorough rinsing, squeeze it and pat it between towels to dry. Then hang it in front of a fan to dry thoroughly. Wipe the hardware dry and apply a little WD-40 or what I prefer.....food grade silicone spray lubricant. Wipe it so there is no excess residue. Some will then do a Scotch Guard job....I don't bother but some swear by it. Have your rigger reassemble when you are sure it is thoroughly dry. This is also a good time to clean the inside of the cable housings (use a flexible .22 caliber gun cleaning kit with that food grade silicone spray) and ckeck for any tacking that may be coming untied.alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spy38W 0 #8 July 11, 2002 QuoteWipe the hardware dry and apply a little WD-40 FWIW, I recently heard that WD-40 is actually a corrosive from an airplane mechanic. I'm not sure as to the truth of it because I have used it for a long time, but it's something to consider... -- Hook high, flare on time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #9 July 11, 2002 Thanks all for the answers. any input about cleaning a canopy (including lines) that has taken a swim inside the mud pond? HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #10 July 11, 2002 >#1 : you do not have to be a master rigger to disconnect a reserve. I stand corrected. Things are of course a bit different in the USA than in Finland... Here, our closest thing to a Senior Rigger("kalustomestari", translates as "gear master", LOL) gets to do anything with the main and the parts of the container concerning the main. To work on the reserve, parts of the container concerning the reserve, or the harness you have to be a "laskuvarjotarkastaja" (translates as "parachute inspector"), which is pretty much the same as the US master rigger. Erno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditch9276 0 #11 July 12, 2002 when my rig must be checked my rigger does it make skydives not dirt divesThe only rings that are worth wearing, are those of my 3-ring-system!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christoofar 0 #12 July 12, 2002 I concur. Can someone post cleaning for a canopy? I'm curious about how one would go about cleaning a canopy that has been exposed to salt water or intense salt spray from being on the coast too long. Surely the salt and sand crystals would cause the fabric to weaken over time. Pictures would be nice. ____________________________________________________________ I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #13 July 12, 2002 There was a couple of cutaways when we jumped in marathon. Basically all they did was rinse it off a bunch of water from the hose, laid it out to dry and then flew it on the ground for a little while in the wind to dry out the inner cells all the way. Just hose it down for awhile and make sure you get all the cells and it should be ok. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alan 1 #14 July 12, 2002 Let the canopy dry in the shade. A soft bristle brush will remove most dirt/mud after it is dry. Wiping affected areas with a damp cloth can clean some more away, same with the lines. I think most canopy fabrics are "sized" or preshrunk. I don't believe the tapes or lines are though. Some pond swoopers believe that a dunk or several is no big deal if you let the canopy dry in the shade or just jump it dry. Maybe they are right, but any canopy I have seen go for a swim is not in the same trim as before. Some are affected more, some less. Atair had a demo canopy out that was slamming people on opening, Dan attributed it to having seen a lot of time in the pond and it was therefore badly out of trim. Atair canopies within manufacturers specs do not open hard. Chuck, who jumps Atair canopies and has experience dunking them and then jumping them, has posted that he sees no real ill effect on the performance, if my memory is serving me correctly. My canopies never see more than a light wiping with a damp cloth.alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #15 July 13, 2002 QuoteBasically all they did was rinse it off a bunch of water from the hose Make sure to do that before the salt water dries, if salt water dries it leaves the crystals (salt) that can cut the fabric. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #16 July 21, 2002 why go to a rigger to assemble your rig, learn how and do it yourself. Learn your gear. KNow what's good and not good. The life you save may be your own. Pay a rigger to check it but know how to do it yourself Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
