How to clean a container?

[AiRpollUtiOn 0]

Wanna try it myself if anyone has a good suggestion

"Don't make me come down there" - God.

My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html
Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio

[skycat 0]

ummm....by clean do you mean scrape the dirt off or wash it?

To scrape the dirt off a fingernail brush works perfect. To wash it I recommend having your rigger do it since they have to take the reserve off and the cypress out.

On a side note Derek washed my rig this weekend and it looks like it is brand new. He put it in the bathtub with mild laundry detergent and hand washed it.

Fly it like you stole it!

[wlie 0]

Try this article

My other ride is the relative wind.

[Kirils 1]

Tools: wetvac, carpet brush (or fingernail brush), spray bottle of Zep carpet cleaner, jug of distilled water and spray bottle.

What to do: Spray rig with carpet cleaner, small sections at a time, brush, vacuum out cleaner, rinse with distilled water and vacuum again extracting as much rinse water as possible.

This method will leave you rig looking great. I've tried my own formulas, different commercial products but the Zep carpet cleaner seems to be the best. You can get it at Home Depot.

Blue skies...clean rigs!!!

"Slow down! You are too young
to be moving that fast!"

Old Man Crawfish

[PhreeZone 20]

Be careful with chemicals as they can destroy the fibers of the container from with in and not show any damage untill the fibers break.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[weid14 0]

FWIW, relative workshop did a study and found that repeated washing of containers weakened the main lift webbing. so whatever you do, dont' get it washed every re-pack cycle.

[Kris 0]

Quote

FWIW, relative workshop did a study and found that repeated washing of containers weakened the main lift webbing. so whatever you do, dont' get it washed every re-pack cycle.

Washing a container once a year should be enough if you've properly Scotch Guarded it.

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[drenaline 0]

The relative workshop webpage has a good article about cleaning the container, am to drunk to type it.

also make a search about the subject, I know there are alot of thread about it.

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[Bruno 0]

Unless you have to go to a party wearing your rig or sell It, you don't need to wash it. Simply keep it clean with a brush and take care of metallic parts, first of all cables and housing.
Bruno

[weid14 0]

I disagree, if you jump in a desert climate, it is a good idea to wash periodically to remove all those nastly little sand particles that are in there grinding away on your webbing.

[fudd 0]

Hmm, I think there is times when you would like wash your container. A girl told me about one of her off dz landings. Just a bad spot, and decided to go for a farmers field. Not really a big deal. At 200' she notice this smell, the farmer had just fertilized. With all the stress of the situation (and Murphy being the evil bastard he is), her landing was less then perfect...I need to say no more...

[ernokaikkonen 0]

Well I guess she won't be complaining about even the gnarliest of farts in the future...

[Bruno 0]

Ok! Ok! you all are right.
there are cases your container needs washing process, contact with some damaging elements.
My post was for people that wash just for nice appearance.
Bruno

[riggerrob 643]

When there is only a light coating of desert dust, I just vacuum the rig.
For ground in dirt, I dis-assemble the rig, soak it in warm water, scrub vigorously three times with Woolite (or similar mild detergent) and rinse the bejezuz out of it. Them I hang it in a shady, breezy place to dry for three days.
The last step before re-assembly is spraying it with Scotchguard and drying it overnight.
Rigs that are jumped vigorously in the desert may need to be washed every year, but in dairy country, they may go 10 years between washings.

[Craig 0]

I thought I would post this since it is from a manufacturer...

Quote

Thank you for contacting Mirage Systems. There is no harm is having a rigger disassemble the reserve from the harness/container and submerging the container as long as it is in cold water. The colors will not bleed as long water is cold. Hot water also deforms the plastic stiffeners. Mid laundry soap such as “Wool Lite” is recommended.

For the best effect:

1. Spot clean directly with soap and a Medium/Soft bristle brush.
2. Soak the entire container in cold water for several hours. (This will loosen up the dirt)
3. Adjutant the rig in the water to begin the final cleansing
4. Take rig to car wash and use RINSE ONLY pressure. Note: To insure clean water run wand for several second before directing the water towards the rig. Also keep the wand back at least 1 ft. The high pressure can separate the Cordura weave if too high of pressure is place near the container.
5. Allow 24hrs to dry.
6. (option) Scotch Guard problem area for future protection. Note: Spray area until damp to touch. Let dry and repeat for additional protection.


Spot cleaning only is difficult to get an effective cleaning of the embroidery. The best results come from a complete cleaning.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate contacting us.


Bill Hallett

[floormonkey 0]

Does the same proccess apply for parapak? (esp. scotchguarding...)

[hookitt 1]

Washing a rig, Relative workshop says it eventually will Weaken the lift web? Out of curiosity, Assuming you were to pick up vehicle with the harness, does that mean it will no longer hold up a 67 pontiac GTO and will now only hold up a Toyota Pickup? Had to throw that in

You'll hate what I do with mine. I disasemble it, mate all the velcro and Tie loose webbing securely. Then toss it in a Tumble washer ( a front loader) with mild detergent in cold. Then I hang it to dry some where in my home. If a breeze is desireable, You can simulate a breeze with a fan

It's fabric. It's REALLY TOUGH Fabric. Since I very seldom wash any rigs, I've yet to wash a customers rig that way but seriously I see no reason at all not to. It's probably easier on the container than High pressure washing.

Any comments or concerns?

Tim

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[sarge 0]

I won't even consider taking my rig to car wash; especially this time of year since they use re-cycled water in the power washers I'm told....! (salt water)

But I have been thinking seriously about the front-load washing machine idea, using Woolite and doing some spot cleaning for prep. before tossing it in. It sounds very easy and efficient.

Any other ideas?

.

--
I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!!

[lopullterri 0]

I have cleaned a lot of containers and the one thing that makes me cringe, is when I see someone take a brush to their container. It grinds the dirt in and is abrasive to the fabric. Remember, the fabric is nylon. If a shop vac won't remove the dirt, you can finish up with a damp washcloth. For other stains (grass, blood,etc.) there is a certain carpet cleaner that I have used for years. Whatever you use (mild dish soap is also o.k.), rinse thoroughly.

~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

[masterrig 1]

Most manufacturer's, include cleaning instructions in their owner's manual. Poynter's Parachute Manual covers the cleaning of containers and canopies quite well, also. I would say, consult your rigger or contact the manufacturer. They are quick to help. I wouldn't ever consider taking a harness-container to a car wash! We have no idea what kind of soap and/or water they have. In spite of what their sign says. I do agree with washing the harness-container but, not every re-pack. There's nothing like getting a rig for I&R and get knocked-over by the oder from a rig that has never been washed/cleaned!

Hope, this helps.

Chuck

[cousindave 0]

A dry plastic bristle brush and a shopvac works great. for really dirty containers, take out the reserve, main, and cypres and clean it with a high pressure hose with NO SOAP!!! as a last resort warm water and woolite, but be sure to rinse it extremely well.

David Ames
Used Gear Specialists
http://www.cousindave.com

[askir 0]

I once saw a rigger clean a white container with white harness. This thing looked anything but white, green grass stains, brown and yellow, it was bad.
He used Wal-Mart brand carpet cleaner foam and a wet sponge, dabbed, not rubbing and kept changing the water (he had a little tub of water)
Everytime the water turned dark brown he'd change it.
At first it looked like it was going to stay yellow, he said lets go have a beer and come back in the morning.
The next day BRIGHTY WHITEY...unbeleivable!!!!
Now I do the same for my customers and get great results.

LIFE IS LIKE A CIGARETTE, YOU CAN SIT THERE AND WATCH IT BURN AWAY OR YOU CAN SMOKE THAT BITCH TO THE FILTER