Mildew On Mains

[Zennie 0]

Just out of curiosity, what's the general consensus on mildew/mold on a main (or reserve)? Is it something that can be cleaned off relatively easily if caught early?
The reason I ask is that two weekends ago my last jump was a rain jump (yes we were under the clouds). I figured I was going to get a jump in way before now, so I packed it, but I kind of got to wondering if my main would get mildew by now, and if so, is it something that can be cleaned off relatively easily.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

[ramon 0]

Just kidding
jump it soon and when you open there wil be a slight dusty cloud as mildew is knocked off.
Let it go a long time and......
how big is your reserve?
If I packed it wet hoping to jump I would unpack and dry out when I got home.
Going to SLand this weekend? ramon

[Zennie 0]

Quote

Going to SLand this weekend?

Yup. Gonna try & get out for a jump or two today as well.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

[polarbear 1]

Don't allow the reserve to mildew. If you think it got wet, have it repacked and inspected. There are other factors with getting a canopy wet than just mildew...it can increase the porosity, which will decrease the flying/flare charcteristics and will increase the opening time (bad for a reserve!)
Water will harm any nylon canopy. If they get wet, drip-dry them out (out of the sun) as soon as possible. Get advice from your rigger.

[Hooknswoop 19]

From Performance Textiles on Soar Coat material:
"Do not pack your canopy when it is wet or damp. Exacta-Chute & Soar-Coat do not support mildew but dust and grass stains can cause mildew to grow."
To clean it, clean the smallest area possible w/ clean water and an absorbant cloth.
I've never had to deal w/ mildew on a reserve. I would be very hesitant to pack a reserve that had mildew cleaned off of it. I would send it to the manufacturer for a porosity test.
Hook

[Zennie 0]

Just to follow up...
I jumped the canopy on Friday. Almost had to cut the dang thing away. Toss and not much happens. Look up to see the nastiest ball of s#!7 I've ever seen above me and already in about 5 line twists. Just as I'm reaching for my handles the thing decides to open and I decided I could work the twists since the canopy was flying pretty stable.
When I laid it down to pack it, I looked it over. No mildew, but it smelled kinda musty. The smell had pretty much gone away by the end of the today.
My guess is the nasty opening (and the smell) was probably due to packing it wet and letting it sit a week & a half.
This is another item on my "Note to self" list.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."