60 replies to this topic

[naf]

As a kid playing with Black Seas Barracuda and Carribean Clipper, the sails became creased quite often as the ships were stored in a big bin along with the rest of the legos I had.  Back then I just used a regular hot iron to flatten them out, never had any issues with the sails being damaged or colors running.  As for fraying, you could probably apply a very small amount of glue, with a qtip or something, to prevent that.  They also sell a product at the fabric store that has the same effect.

As a side note, does anyone know if there is a pattern online for these sails so we can make our own?  Might be useful if your sails are so gone that they need replacements, I bet there's a lot of very appropriate fabrics that would make good sails.

[Janglais]

naf, on 28 March 2013 - 06:31 PM, said:

the sails became creased quite often as the ships were stored in a big bin along with the rest of the legos I had..

Same here.  I managed to find the sails (and hull etc) of the Caribbean Clipper yesterday, and they are very dirty - smoke stained by the look of it.  Will try a few techniques mentioned here and see how I go.

Cheers,

Daniel

[absolutelylez]

naf, on 28 March 2013 - 06:31 PM, said:

As a side note, does anyone know if there is a pattern online for these sails so we can make our own?  Might be useful if your sails are so gone that they need replacements, I bet there's a lot of very appropriate fabrics that would make good sails.

Yes, a user has posted good quality scans of a lot of the older pirate sails on Brickshelf, here http://www.brickshel...ery.cgi?f=27997

Have fun :)

Edited by absolutelylez, 31 March 2013 - 11:39 AM.

[TyoSolo]

I've cleaned quite a few dirty sails now. I used the washing machine (I know, I know) on the lowest spin setting possible (gentle fabrics). Once they were out, I ironed them whilst wet (under a thin tea towel). This did 3 things - a) protected the sail from burning, b) dried the sails immediately, preventing mildew, and c) Straightened and stiffened the sails.

I can't tell you how happy I was with how stiff the sails were after ironing them wet.

Obviously the washing machine caused a few frayed edges, but my wife is quite handy with fabrics, and by the time she'd done trimming them, the sails looked brand new.

[naf]

I just rebuilt the Caribbean Clipper, and even though the sails were in a sealed container they were still a little dingy, probably just from play.  I decided to not wash them, I kind of like the look of them slightly dirty and off white.  I doubt many real ships had perfectly white sails for long!

[Mister Phes]

Commodore Hornbricker, on 24 September 2009 - 07:01 PM, said:

I have had a lot of luck putting them in the dishwasher.

What were the settings you used?

[tyler9011]

Mister Phes, on 02 April 2013 - 05:52 PM, said:

What were the settings you used?

Just normal or light wash, it's okay then..

[Cosworth3d]

I hand washed mine and ironed them the came Out as new

[Admiral Blockbeard]

I opened up my CC (I picked it up incomplete and second hand) for the first time in a while last night and found some little brown spots forming in one corner. I am keen to try to get these out. I don't mind the off white of sails but these are a little more annoying. I am thinking it is mildew or some other growing damage. Having read this thread I was wondering if anyone had anything in particular to get those more stubborn stains out? Mister Phes mentioned this was a particularly hard issue back in 2008! Any help appreciated.

[Zeya]

@Admiral Blockbeard - That's probably mildew you're describing. I had some on one of my sails. I posted images a few posts ago in this thread, if you want to see (it's the smaller off-white sail from the imperial trading post set). I hand washed with laundry soap, which only faded it just a little. I would recommend trying some fabric products form the store, like the spot stain removers. I also might recommend some mildew prevention going forward. I like to toss the silica gel packets in with Lego sometimes, to help prevent moisture.

[Admiral Blockbeard]

Thanks for the reply and your great post earlier, I did read your post, but I failed to notice the note about mildew .

In your post the sail with the brown coffee like spill is mildew? I really hope I can get these dots out. When I am with my Lego again, will have to get some photos and try my hand at cleaning.