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lockie · 29-12-2011, 23:04

Spraying the luff of my headsails with silicone makes them run up the furler foil much easier. But I started wondering - will this harm the fabric or the stitching?

lockie

delmarrey · 29-12-2011, 23:35

Silicone is a preservative for rubber. I dough it could harm plastic. Armor All and bar soap will work too.

sctpc · 30-12-2011, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Silicone is a preservative for rubber. I dough it could harm plastic. Armor All and bar soap will work too.

you forgot beeswax and lasts just as long I personally DONT let silicone on my boat.

thinwater · 30-12-2011, 03:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by sctpc

you forgot beeswax and lasts just as long I personally DONT let silicone on my boat.

Sailcoat is probably the gold standard for this application. I believe it is based upon flourocarbon solids rather than silicone, though in many ways it is similar. Lasts a lot longer, though.

Beeswax (any wax) can collect dirt. Probably not the best choise, though it works and the dirt problem is very minor on masts. Lasts longer than silicone spray.

Like any spray, you need to control where it goes.

Doodles · 30-12-2011, 03:53

The dish washing detergent Dawn works great on the mainsail tracks. If you get too much it just washes away with the next rain. I don't know why it wouldn't work just as well on the furler foil.

**Hud3** · 30-12-2011, 04:04

Another vote for Sailcoat. It's Teflon based and dry, so it doesn't attract dirt.

Vasco · 30-12-2011, 04:40

I use a teflon based spray lubricant. Most auto supply stores have it now.

**boatman61** · 30-12-2011, 05:00

ROFL....
Always makes me laugh... the sailors shout about pollution of the sea's and atmoshpere.... "Something must be done .." is the repetitive cry... till it comes to themselves...
Then out come the spray cans and all the other pollutants that have natural alternatives... just to save themselves a little sweat.. also a natural product..
Can't have it both ways Dudes

daddle · 30-12-2011, 05:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Then out come the spray cans and all the other pollutants that have natural alternatives

Dude...chill out...our boats themselves are pollutants in the sea. Abstinence is not an option. Moderation is.

**Hud3** · 30-12-2011, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

ROFL....
Always makes me laugh... the sailors shout about pollution of the sea's and atmoshpere.... "Something must be done .." is the repetitive cry... till it comes to themselves...
Then out come the spray cans and all the other pollutants that have natural alternatives... just to save themselves a little sweat.. also a natural product..
Can't have it both ways Dudes

What's so bad about Teflon?

colemj · 30-12-2011, 05:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

ROFL....
Always makes me laugh... the sailors shout about pollution of the sea's and atmoshpere.... "Something must be done .." is the repetitive cry... till it comes to themselves...
Then out come the spray cans and all the other pollutants that have natural alternatives... just to save themselves a little sweat.. also a natural product..
Can't have it both ways Dudes

Teflon is environmentally inert and hydrofluorocarbon propellants were phased out worldwide decades ago. So teflon spray, sailcoat and the like have zero environmental impact.

Now, the mining and processing of the aluminum foil they are lubricating is a different story altogether...

Mark

Rakuflames · 30-12-2011, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by sctpc

you forgot beeswax and lasts just as long I personally DONT let silicone on my boat.

Spray silicone or silicone sealant, or both? If you include spray -- why?

sctpc · 30-12-2011, 05:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Spray silicone or silicone sealant, or both? If you include spray -- why?

Too hard to remove, caused problems with varnish and slipping. its just a personal thing.
Teflon based spray lubricant is something I just have never used

mrm · 30-12-2011, 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hud3

What's so bad about Teflon?

It is likely Boatman meant the propellent gases in spray cans rather than their actual content.
And I agree, to a point. Many times and for many products I wished there were alternative packaging options to them. Like, for example, a bottle with a small brush, which frequently would make the application both more controlled and economical.

For the application in question I also prefer the dry lubricant.