I have a beamer II 3.6 TSR. I let some friends try it out, and of course it crashed a few times, in some mud. We have this lovely red mud that loves to stain. I have tried warm mildly soapy water and just scrubbing it down. That helped a lot, but not completely. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Originally posted by Gronniger I have a beamer II 3.6 TSR. I let some friends try it out, and of course it crashed a few times, in some mud. We have this lovely red mud that loves to stain. I have tried warm mildly soapy water and just scrubbing it down. That helped a lot, but not completely. Any suggestions? Thanks!

If warm water with a mild detergent does not work go to your nearest cleaners and ask for something called Tetrachloroethylene. This is what is used in dry cleaning. Also never scrub the cloth. Scrubbing will separate the fibers making it more porous.

Our beach gets muddy at low tide. I use water and bar soap like ivory rubbed on a soft sponge. Many manufacturers recommend against detergents.

For organic stains like bird crap, blood (got cut by a snapping line) and other beach crap, I use something from the pet store called "Nature's Miracle". It is not a solvent or detergent but is enzyme based designed to remove organics. We use it for dog crap and puke on the rug. That being said I have no other knowledge that it is explicitly safe for the coatings on Nylon. I use it sparingly on small areas and rinse well. If there are any chemists out there who can offer more I'd like to here it.

I'll try the dry cleaning stuff Ted mentioned. He should know.

Thanks guys, I will let you know how it goes!

A dirty kite is a kite enjoyed. Wear those stains, playa dust, etc. with pride.

Use 2 neutral color sponges--soak one with lemon juice the other with water! works like a champ! as usual................stoaked:D

Can you just hose the kite down? I had a little devil that I did the soft sponge blotching technique (no scrubbing) and got the dirt out right well, but my apex hit a load of cow poo and mud this past weekend and the thing is 10m, so that's an awful lot of blotching. I know with the hose it's gonna be awhile to dry, but wondering if it'll hurt the kite having it soak that much along with any pressure of the water (not that I'm even considering using a pressure washer, just regular hose pressure).
~Joe

I hose mine. I take the spray nozzle off and turn the water on low. I use my thumb over the end to create a gentle spray when I need it.

I'm always chasing beach sand, so I flood the entire interior. First I slowly pick up the tips with the closed cells to let them drain to the middle, then the whole kite slowly by the trailing edge and drape it upside down over a railing on my deck (clothesline would work) and clip the LE and TE together underneath with clothespins if there is a breeze. Water will fill the cups of the LE, so I turn them inside out to drain one at a time by hand.

You haven't had any problems with that technique Angus? Also shot you a pm.
~Joe

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Originally posted by code You haven't had any problems with that technique Angus? Also shot you a pm. ~Joe

I find it works well. I do it in the afternoon when my back deck is shaded so I am not soaking the kite in any more UV light than I have to.

If something does not come out with plan sponge, I use a little bit on non-detergent hand soap like Dove or Ivory.