Cleaning & repairing sails

[ChrisXY]

Hi,

having three pretty old sails that need cleaning. Anyone did successful? I think I shouldn´t use white stain power? Any suggestions (German market/products best). I have tried dish soap already, didn´t help. Also two sails have fully ripped of ends/holes. Anyone how to fix that?

 

[MAB]

Wash things starting mild and progressively get harsher and stop when either happy or you've destroyed them.

So water only, then with a mild soap, then with a little agitation,  then a fabric washing liquid, let them soak, then very dilute bleach, then dilute bleach,... it depends what you want to achieve. They will never be bright white like new again unless you use a harsh cleaner that is likely to damage the coloured parts.

As for torn holes, you can sew them, glue them, glue fabric circles around them, use fabric tape,  tie string around the corner, or leave them and accept that they are old and battle damaged.

Or buy replacements on bricklink.

[Mylenium]

You can try "dry cleaning". All sorts of stains can be removed by just powdering everything with talcum powder (real talcum, not the fake starch-based baby powder they sell these days) and letting it sit there for a few days. The micro structure of the powder will attract the dirt and draw it out. Occasionally you may want to moisturize it with a water/ alcohol (isopropyl) mix sprayed on to enhance the effect. A similar effect can be achieved with silicate-based cat litter (Catsan in germany), though it may be more uneven. Other methods along those lines may also work like putting the sails between layers of absorbent paper (Löschpapier) and again gently moistening it with that mix from the spray bottle. That's how book pages are cleaned for restoration. The punch holes could probably be fixed with snap button rings in the correct size. If you use transparent plastic they will be nearly invisible. Of course there may be some edge stitch or micro-weaving method to repair the tears as well, but I'm not a seamstress.

Mylenium

[ChrisXY]

Thanks guys. I will try my best. Buying them from bricklink is too expensive, if I still have them and might get them in a better condition.

[ChrisXY]

Little update here. Sails got pretty neat :) Only left are now two holes to fix somehow...no idea at the moment what is best