RE: [Paddlewise] Cleaning fibreglass kayaks (and foldables and other stuff)

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 22:41:45 +1100
Steve wrote: -
>Heck, if you really want to save H2O why wash it
>at all?? The metal is stainless, (correct?) and
>will only corrode when submerged for long periods

Ralph wrote: -
>Can't see what harm saltwater can do. Same goes
>for folding kayaks.

Michael Daly wrote: -
>look at sailboat deck fittings and such and you'll
>see a thin layer of rust in many spots. Also, the
>salt is hydrophilic, so it doesn't really dry that quickly

Scott wrote: -
>I ruined my last car with the accumulated salt dripping
>from my boat.


G'Day and thanks for all the feedback,

Normally I store my boat in a skiff club down by the beach and don't need a
car to carry the boat. When I use a car it usually means theres no chance to
rinse the kayak as I'm miles from fresh water. I dry the kayak thoroughly
before putting it on the car and seal off the pump outlet so it doesn't drip
water. So far so good but its only been a year.

Its a relief to hear the consistent advice on not to having to rinse fibre
glass with fresh water. But the business of hydrophilicity makes me worry
about cleaning salt from metal fittings or from a foldable. Sydney can be
humid and then the salt tends to keep fabric damp. On the other hand I never
clean my lifejacket and it never gets moldy - though the salt encrustation
can be quite dramatic. Does the salt inhibit mold on slightly damp fabric?

All the best, PeterO


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Received on Tue Nov 05 2002 - 03:45:55 PST

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