remove spinnaker numbers

[Anthony Zucker]

I received a used spinnaker and would like to replace the numbers. The old ones will peel back but they will leave some sticky stuff. Is there a way to clean it up without damaging the sail? I got nothing from the search engine.
Thanky you, Tony

[R.Floyd]

Remove the letter adhesive with laquer thinner.

[Concordia..41]

Sail Care . com (http://www.sailcare.com)

These folks are wonderful - will clean, check stitching, change sail #'s, etc., and send your sail back looking like new :cool:

They've done all the ones for the little boat and SARAH's are boxed and ready to go as we get closer to needing something like....sails :D

- M

[ 03-06-2005, 08:12 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[JimConlin]

Many sails are retired when the sailcloth's resin filler wears out, the cloth becomes stretchier on the bias and the sail loses its shape. SailCare has a process of re-starching (my words) baggy old sails. This returns some of the lost shape. If a sail has gotten old from use rather than from sun (being left uncovered), I highly recommend it.

[Todd Bradshaw]

The standard chemical used for removing number goo from sails is benzene rubbed around with a rag. It is a very stinky, nasty process which takes a lot of rubbing. Spinnaker fabric is so light that you'll be lucky if what's left resembles the fabric around it. It would make much more sense (and most likely be cheaper if you have to pay for labor) to just replace the panel or cut them out and patch the spots.

As to sails being "refurbished", I've had to repair or re-cut half-a-dozen or so of them over the years. The best thing that I can say about them is that they are extremely white. The resin they paint them with does generally add some bias stability to old cloth, but claiming that they improve sailshape is about 60% pure B.S. If lack of bias stability is the cause for their poor shape, then the shape may improve somewhat with the treatment (assuming that they can get it into some semblance of proper shape before they paint it - which ain't easy). Unfortunately though, the process doesn't take care of many of the other things which can cause poor sailshape. If you re-resin a sail with bad shape without first correcting the problem all you're doing is locking-in that bad shape. Some of these companies also bleach the living crap out of the luff tapes and other trim and don't bother to re-resin those parts, leaving them soft, weak and mushy - exactly what you don't want in a luff tape. They usually make some lame claim that sailmakers just want to sell you new sails (so that they can make those incredible profits :rolleyes: ). I'll probably never build sails for 99.95% of the folks on this forum but my advice about these things is be very careful. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is - and many of the claims these guys make are too good to be true.

[alteran]

Todd what is your sail/boat supply business? I'm coming to Madison in late May and you may have somethings I need.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Don't have one. I just build traditionally-styled canoe and dinghy sails on a one-of-a-kind, custom basis.

[Carl Simmons]

I had the situtation of having to replace my spinnaker numbers and the guys at Shore Sails suggested a three step process:
1. remove old numbers
2. put new numbers on
3. sprinkle talc on the sticky stuff not covered uo with the new numbers.

The talc will eventually peel away the old residue.

Worked for me, the residue is gone and no chemicals were used!!!

Carl.

[Anthony Zucker]

Thanks Carl;
That seems like a good plan.
Next question-from whom can I buy 12" red numbers?
Thanks again;
Tony

[Carl Simmons]

Try www.sailrite.com, (http://www.sailrite.com,) I took a quick look and they have 12" numbers.

Carl.