When we first started years ago, we were all told to never rinse our wings with fresh water because it'll lead to mold and rot. Is that still true. I see a heap of new wingers rising their wings at the showers now. Has it turned out that fresh water doesn't harm the wings?
Select to expand quoteGoofcat said..
When we first started years ago, we were all told to never rinse our wings with fresh water because it'll lead to mold and rot. Is that still true. I see a heap of new wingers rising their wings at the showers now. Has it turned out that fresh water doesn't harm the wings?
You got it right, 'heap of new wingers', no point, salt doesn't hurt a wing, mould and fungus does. By all means, wash your wings, but make sure you fully dry them before rolling up, and who has time for that. Wings don't last long anyway so no point.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..Goofcat said..
When we first started years ago, we were all told to never rinse our wings with fresh water because it'll lead to mold and rot. Is that still true. I see a heap of new wingers rising their wings at the showers now. Has it turned out that fresh water doesn't harm the wings?
You got it right, 'heap of new wingers', no point, salt doesn't hurt a wing, mould and fungus does. By all means, wash your wings, but make sure you fully dry them before rolling up, and who has time for that. Wings don't last long anyway so no point.
Just hang them when you get home and let them dry out. They can last a very long time when properly cared for.
Tap water here has chlorine in it, this is also bad for the wings. So, if you do rinse, it needs to be actual freshwater without any added chemicals.
I try to let the wing dry at the beach before rolling it up. But often im in a rush and I'll use a towel to superficially wipe it while rolling it up. Never rinsed and never hang the wings out when i get home and haven't had any issues. If the wing was pretty wet when I rolled it up, I would open the zipper on the bag fully and leave it on the balcony.
It should also be noted that Dacron is better with abuse. Super fabrics prefer a minor amount of pampering.
I used to also kite for years. Never washed with fresh water. Apart from the fact that tap water has chlorine. I wipe the wing down with a towel before rolling it up just to get rid of the excess water and when I get home I unroll it and let it dry overnight, then pack it up. Back in the kiting days I could usually get away wit drying it while flying, then land it on the beach. But the wing always come in wet.
As long as I have been winging in salt water, and not a lake, I roll it up salty and wet. Put the bag in a plastic box in the car, and leave it there for the next session.
As long as there is salt in the water, it does not go bad when storing wet.
Only thing that gets taken out of the car between sessions, and given some care, is the wetsuit.
Note, I go out minimum two days a week, all year.
If I would have to store the wings for a longer period, I would maybe even rinse them in fresh water. Or at least dry them.
Select to expand quoteGoofcat said..
When we first started years ago, we were all told to never rinse our wings with fresh water because it'll lead to mold and rot. Is that still true. I see a heap of new wingers rising their wings at the showers now. Has it turned out that fresh water doesn't harm the wings?
You should always rinse the salt water from your gear after use. Do I? No, not always, if rarely, and this hasn't caused any problems considering I replace my gear when it bags out, not from excessive chafing from salt crystals.
Mildew is gross, but it doesn't harm your wing's materials.
The only issues to be concerned with storing a wet wing is that the bladder can twist and dry stuck to the dakron such that it tears when you pump it up again, and that the moisture in a wet bag if left in a hot car etc. can steam weakening the double sided tape adhesive that reinforces panel stiching.
If I had Aluula $$$$ fabric wings, they would get rinsed, dryed, and pampered such that the kids and dog rode in the back.
Select to expand quoteHwy1North said..
You should always rinse the salt water from your gear after use. Do I? No, not always, if rarely, and this hasn't caused any problems considering I replace my gear when it bags out, not from excessive chafing from salt crystals.
No, you don't need to rinse your wings. This has been cleared up by manufacturers.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..Hwy1North said..
You should always rinse the salt water from your gear after use. Do I? No, not always, if rarely, and this hasn't caused any problems considering I replace my gear when it bags out, not from excessive chafing from salt crystals.
No, you don't need to rinse your wings. This has been cleared up by manufacturers.
That's simply wrong in the way BMW says you only need to change your oil every 16KM. If you only keep it 3 years, though, who cares.
if your winging in salt water definitely don't rinse of with fresh water. Aside from the chlorine issue, if you have a the slightest dampness from the fresh water the mould won't be kind to your wing.
Kiters stopped rinsing the salt out 10 to 15 years ago and the debate has been done to death. Result is salt good.
Select to expand quoteAnyBoard said..
if your winging in salt water definitely don't rinse of with fresh water. Aside from the chlorine issue, if you have a the slightest dampness from the fresh water the mould won't be kind to your wing.
Kiters stopped rinsing the salt out 10 to 15 years ago and the debate has been done to death. Result is salt good.
Agreed.
I ride fresh water. I used to hang up to dry my wings. Stopped doing that and usually pack my wings wet. I store my wings in my house in a dry environment and have had no problems at all. Sometimes I'll just unzip the bag so dries out faster.
For those of you who might want to achieve the best performance and longevity of your gear....
www.northsails.com/en-us/blogs/north-sails-blog/putting-away-your-toys-end-of-season-sail-care
Can we debate which knot to tie for leash cord next? 
You MUST avoid:
- chlorine (in tap water)
- UVs (direct sunlight)
- mechanical stress: (fluttering in the wind, sand, dried salt crystals)
- fresh water moisture (mildew and clouding of the windows)
Design you cleaning habits with these constraints.
E.g: Rinsing with tap water, then let it dry flapping in the wind and sun thus are one of the "best of" of what not to do.
