Select to expand quotesnalberski said..
Freddofrog said..
I wash my kites in fresh water after EVERY session and then hang via the bridle lines under patio (ie in the shade)
Seriously?
This looks like a man who is about to sell some second hand kit on the forums soon. First thing you do when looking in the for sale forums is check out the posts that people have to see if they have anything like 'I like to rub sand into the bar and lines at the end of every session and sprinkle some bleach onto the canopy' type stuff.
Obviously I too wash my kites, dry them in a room with a dehumidifier, wrap tracing paper between the folds in the canopy when rolling them up and adjust the lines each time I use my kites.
I use to detol my bar and lines till one of the lines seamed to snap prematurely.
Personally I like to give the mechanical safety bits a hose after a session if I can. I always release the chicken loop and leash every time before I go out but I like to keep them clean. Am not too concerned about all the kite fabric, wettie etc. it would be awful if you went to release a safety and it didn't work .
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..
...Freddo, wash every time ??????? Really ???????
Yes. Rope in yard with little hooks for the bridle, it literally takes me 2-3mins.
Went kiting after work today, kite is now washed and drying on the line. Tomorrow morning I will move it under the patio out of the sun where I have a similar set up. So maybe add another 30-60 seconds.
FYI I work as an efficiency expert so developing a process to efficiently wash kites isn't exactly a mental stretch.
And Dave I have no plans to sell my gear anytime soon, having WAY too much fun :)
Select to expand quotedusta said..
people care for their kites ?
my edges go in the bag sand and all . never had an issue .
Yep. Very quickly gave up on washing and what-not, and now just jam them in the bags wet, sandy, whatever. Can't kill the bloody things. I want new ones...
Select to expand quoteFreddofrog said..Craig66 said..
...Freddo, wash every time ??????? Really ???????
Yes. Rope in yard with little hooks for the bridle, it literally takes me 2-3mins.
Went kiting after work today, kite is now washed and drying on the line. Tomorrow morning I will move it under the patio out of the sun where I have a similar set up. So maybe add another 30-60 seconds.
FYI I work as an efficiency expert so developing a process to efficiently wash kites isn't exactly a mental stretch.
And Dave I have no plans to sell my gear anytime soon, having WAY too much fun :)
You may work as an efficiency expert, but its a way of life for me.
Maximum result for minimum effort 
(yes im stirring 
)
( I bet when you co camping you perfectly roll your sleeping bag )
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..
( I bet when you co camping you perfectly roll your sleeping bag )
Haha, actually it is a lot easier to stuff it than roll it :)
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
Yep. Very quickly gave up on washing and what-not, and now just jam them in the bags wet, sandy, whatever. Can't kill the bloody things. I want new ones...
Yep. Wet, sandy, whatever. Bang em in. Even if it ends up being a few weeks during winter till the next session. My 2009 switchblade is still going strong.
Select to expand quoteflyingcab said..
The sun kills them.
That comment is hard to swallow 
Select to expand quoteFreddofrog said..Craig66 said..
( I bet when you co camping you perfectly roll your sleeping bag )
Haha, actually it is a lot easier to stuff it than roll it :)
I thought you were supposed to stuff, as rolling can misplace the insulation...?
People always say not to leave the kite fluttering at the beach. Problem is if I pump up multiple kites as the wind changes I leave the other kite/s at the beach so I can switch quickly if I need to.
How do you guys address that?
I just put some sand on top and it does remove some of the flapping (as was suggested here too).
Select to expand quoteKajo said..
People always say not to leave the kite fluttering at the beach. Problem is if I pump up multiple kites as the wind changes I leave the other kite/s at the beach so I can switch quickly if I need to.
How do you guys address that?
I just put some sand on top and it does remove some of the flapping (as was suggested here too).
Rig the right kite the first time. If it's really wrong then come to the beach, quickly pack the kite, pump the new one, go kiting.
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said.....
What brand of kite comes with an Hour meter ? or did u retro fit one????
There are people working on UV exposure meters. I think it's a dumb idea. I fly paragliders and I am required to keep a flight log. After I had been kiting for a few years I got into the habit of entering my kiting sessions in there as well.
It's easy to do. I just glance at my watch when I go out and take another glance when I come in. The only odd thing about it is I tend to round out sessions so they finish on an hour or half hour so it's easy to remember.
It's kind of fun to go back and remember sessions or adventures. It also puts into perspective people's claims about how much they kite and all the stuff they say they do. People claim 4-5 hour sessions, but I've seen them on the beach. They arrived after me and left before me and I only had a two hour session. I think they count the driving time and the standing around on the beach yapping time.
Select to expand quoteFreddofrog said......Select to expand quoteWent kiting after work today, kite is now washed and drying on the line. Tomorrow morning I will move it under the patio out of the sun where I have a similar set up. So maybe add another 30-60 seconds.
FYI I work as an efficiency expert so developing a process to efficiently wash kites isn't exactly a mental stretch.
....
You left out: get it out of the bag, unroll, hang up, wash, dry, take it down, move it, hang it, take it down again, pack it into the bag, fit it into the car. Also the extra wear and tear and potential for damage caused by handling the kite 2-3 more times than is necessary. Not to mention doing direct damage by forcing water and salt and sand into seams and struts and stitching.
It's far better to learn to avoid doing damage and creating wear and tear in the first place.
It's also kind of dodgy to refer to yourself as an expert.
Yep Gorgo, good idea, im usually on the water for about 90min, but I can be at the beach for over two hours. I call that about an hour session.
I stopped wearing a watch a while ago (one of the joys of being single and not under the thumb to be home by a certain time) but I was always checking the time and going back and looking at wind graph to cross reference how I was riding etc.
Select to expand quoteKajo said..
People always say not to leave the kite fluttering at the beach. Problem is if I pump up multiple kites as the wind changes I leave the other kite/s at the beach so I can switch quickly if I need to.
How do you guys address that?
I just put some sand on top and it does remove some of the flapping (as was suggested here too).
Do you seriously do this? How often do you end up changing?
I find if its gusty/inconsistent I just pick a kite good for unhooking in the lulls and boosting in the gusts.
As for slat removal I use the pressure sprayer to make sure all the salt is out of the seams etc, as well as any metal crannies in the and harness. Also useful is to rinse the bladder out with water ever 5 or so sessions.
Invest in a few boards rather than pump up multiple kites would be my suggestion.
^^^ Even cheaper if you always have a van full of demo boards
When are you coming up this way next Eppo?
I just make sure its dry and pack it in my bag although every now and then I like to machine wash my lines in cuddly soft,takes a while to untangle them but gee they feel so soft and silky and cut through the air so much faster
Select to expand quoteyendor said..
I never wash anything, just don't store your kite wet.
Its that easy.
Same here. And I always leave them in the van as well.
Riding the same kites for 4 years now, without any problem.
