Terry M Castella 1 Report post Posted July 29 So you want to coat ur sweet kite, here is how you do it... Mix pure, new silicon sealant with turps/white spirit/mineral spirit (oudorless if possible). MIX thorughly then put into a clear water bottle and shake until the silicon is FULLY suspended, no lumps. Apply two coats to the extrados 1st coat 5:1, then, leave overnight and then 2nd coat, 3:1 (3 parts white spirit,1 part silicon sealant). Be aware that the first coat will soak through and you dont want a slippery floor 😀. The turps evaporates fairly quickly the fully silicon cures up to 24hrs later The extrodos (outer surface) takes all the wear as its pumped up, deflated, and packed away on the sand (or whatever). Also the extrados takes the main UV hit. Best to start treating the kite in the first year. Im hoping that one treatment will last the life of the kite as silicon doesnt not break down. We will see! It can be applied applied a broad brush and cereal bowl. Kite must be dried flat. The kite weight will increase by the about the weight of the silicon chaulk, but the canopy will not hold water as it is hopefully non-porous. The kite MAY still be lighter than original weight.Tear strengh improves, hang time inproves, wear is reduced big time. For the LE you may wish to try the window film, for areas that touch the sand (not tried) or car wax wipes. If the LE bladder is out u can coat the whole kite in one go (u dont want to unglue valves, or contaminate the bladder). Ive never had a strut blow out, so why add to the weight. I live in thailand, UV damage is a bitch. Everytime u use the kite it gets lighter. Prevention is better than cure (and MUCH cheaper). c u on the water.. Doctor Terry 😀 PS..Hey, let me know how u get on! 1 andy666 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy666 599 Report post Posted August 3 Cheers terry for the write up. It does seem like a very simple method of extending the life of the kite. do you find that the sand sticks to the silicon? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Kites Australia 73 Report post Posted August 13 What silicone sealant would you recommend Terry? Like would this work? It's already to spray and it's water proof. https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/3-in-one-silicone-spray---300g/135463.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy666 599 Report post Posted August 13 @Northern Kites Australia Do you see how on the spray can you linked to it says “silicon lubricant”? That’s why it won’t work. It will never dry. The silicon and turps mix terry talks about uses a silicon sealant, which will dry. you would need to use a clear natural cure silicon. https://www.bunnings.com.au/parfix-300g-clear-all-purpose-silicone_p1232674 1 Northern Kites Australia reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Kites Australia 73 Report post Posted August 13 Thanks @andy666. Just wanted to clarify. So you've done this obviously. Did you push out all of the silicone from the caulk bottle into a bucket and mixed it with turps? How did you go? What ratios did you use? What kites did you try it on? Please share. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Kites Australia 73 Report post Posted August 21 An answer / response is appreciated! 🤔 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy666 599 Report post Posted August 21 Sorry, didn’t see your question before. no I haven’t done this myself, but I should give it a go. I’ve also wondered if dissolved stormsure glue would work better then silicon??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
