kitedad Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 10 hours ago, photomom said: I have both the full sail and the vented Frielien. I got to test fly them for our local kite shop and was impressed. So I added them to the bag. They'll be my everyday flyers. Made a discovery at the local field today, while the kite fly's well, I met another with the frielien verftigo and fould out the sail material which is not icarex but a new similar materal p-20 I think its called, doesn't like to be folded and rolled. The other person with the vertigo that I met today has more hours on his than ours and has developed creases in the fabric where it is folded and then rolled for storage. The creases look like when you fold up wax paper. Ours has only been used about five times so far and is starting to show already. I don't know if its in the color or in the fabric itself. I don't know if will cause failure in the long term but right now it is just a little unsightly. It can't be seen in the air, just up close. I would have probably gotten the icarex version,exodus for about 50$ more. Other than this one issue all is well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Made a discovery at the local field today, while the kite fly's well, I met another with the frielien verftigo and fould out the sail material which is not icarex but a new similar materal p-20 I think its called, doesn't like to be folded and rolled. The other person with the vertigo that I met today has more hours on his than ours and has developed creases in the fabric where it is folded and then rolled for storage. The creases look like when you fold up wax paper. Ours has only been used about five times so far and is starting to show already. I don't know if its in the color or in the fabric itself. I don't know if will cause failure in the long term but right now it is just a little unsightly. It can't be seen in the air, just up close. I would have probably gotten the icarex version,exodus for about 50$ more. Other than this one issue all is well. I noticed this fabric issue as well - also, the Mylar used for the vertical wear strips ends up looking like cellophane (fragile) and not Mylar after a few hours of flying (which is the same on the Exodus far as I know).Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Is the folding causing any cracks down the seam it makes or is it just cosmetic? I only flew one back in June, haven't used one since. And those testers Andy gave us looked new. Long term testing needs to be done to give a real opinion on durability, etc. Also would really like to know how that Freilein fabric holds up next to the nylon Rev is using in their cheaper models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitedad Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I'm going to pull it out here in a little while and get out a magnifying glass and have a closer look. My theory at the moment is the problem is in the urethane coating used to waterproof the fabric. I looked at icarexpolyester.com website last night and icarex uses a double sided polyurethane coating as well. I'm thinking its like the pu coating used to give cheaper waterproof-breathable fabric its waterproof qualities. Perhaps the freilein kite is using a substandard coating the is too brittle or something and cracks easily.I'm going to try an experiment and spray some tx direct or some obenauf's watershield and see what happens. I use those to re-treat my Gore-Tex dwr coating. [finger's crossed] My boys kite has only been used for or five times so its not too bad yet. It's too bad the kite looks good and flies nice too. I'll keep an eye on on the wear strip also, I have some gaffers tape I could put on the wear strip if I want but it may be a little heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I've just split this discussion off from the Dye Sub topic as it was digressing into another interesting, but separate topics. Previous... http://kitelife.com/forum/?app=core&module=system&controller=content&do=find&content_class=forums_Topic&content_id=7283&content_commentid=58987 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitedad Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I took a good look at the creases with I'm guessing a 10 pwr magnifier. Nothing conclusive could be gained at that power, my electron microscope and chemistry degree I ordered from amazon should be here next week. I sprayed some obernaufs on it and all I get is a more waterproof kite. It does look like its only cosmetic because of the way the light reflects off the fabric but also has a scratch like look on the weave. Only time will tell I guess. So far the mylar or whatever looks ok but is still pretty new. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 3 hours ago, kitedad said: I'll keep an eye on on the wear strip also, I have some gaffers tape I could put on the wear strip if I want but it may be a little heavy. 1" insignia tape is the current standard, light and strong, reliable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitedad Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Ah yes I remember the name insignia tape but hadn't used or researched it much. That would be a more permanent repair, as in not being able to remove it. I'd learned about gaffers tape about a year ago and the advantage it has is it holds well but can be removed without leaving a residue. I was thinking a temp fix but not until its really necessary, maybe I'll change my mind. It's what sound stage crews use to tape wires and such to floors or furniture ect. and be able to remove them later. Of course insignia tape would look better as well as lighter. I should probably pick some up next time I order some more kite supplies. I applied some gaffers tape to the nose of my boys vented dual line and some vulnerable spots on his atm sul, I just spent the day resheathing a quad line, measuring and checking all the other lines reading for WSIKF. All set ready to close the bag. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 I made wear strips for almost all my kites from insignia tape! They use it to make numbers on a sail. Sticky stuff!! Best put on with a heavy laminate roller with the sail stretched out fully. Mark where it should go, cut the tape a little long, start it from one end and pull the backing a little at a time. Roll as you go. Sew down is optional - mine are not and have lasted 3 years so far, with no pulling loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitedad Posted August 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 tape would go over the existing wear strips in case they go south. Is that what your referring to? Or did you add them where there's no wear strips? I don't use gaffer tape on the sail generally, I put some on the nocks and nose and some along the trailing edge of an atm. The trailing edge tape is insurance against damage from rollups as I've seen some pictures of damage in that area on another forum. I put some on the nocks along with a vinyl cap because if he breaks one it may be hard to find a replacement for that kite. I can pull it off at any time, no issues. The LE string won't stay in the sleeve very well so I use gaffers tape to hold the cap on and keep the string inside the sleeve, It's black and blends in well with that kite. I'm reinforcing that kite as my boy is still trying to do tricks and he can be pretty rough with it, its a fairly fragile kite. I can remove the tape after he gets better at trilcking. Gaffers tape is a cloth tape like you buy in the hardware store but is removable and doesn't leave a residue. I'll be bringing some to the festival next week. Its a little spendy, 20$ for a roll of 1in. x 60 yds. I'll check it all out at the festival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 I've been using them on my Rev Pros that didn't have any. Also using them on my Zen and SUL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 I just let the kites wear out and buy a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 minute ago, makatakam said: I just let the kites wear out and buy a new one. That is not always an option for everyone!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 22 minutes ago, Wayne Dowler said: That is not always an option for everyone!!! If you can't afford to buy a new one, you can make your own. That's what I did. I had three home-made before I bought my first real Rev. See my avatar. Now I have a dozen(?) of the real thing and a dozen home-made. Just made two more during the winter. Where there is a will, there is a way. You have to want it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 I don't get anywhere near a sewing machine - afraid of sewing my fingers together!! Remember - my eyesight was affected by my stroke - no sewing machines for this guy - NOPE!! I fly'em, not make'em ....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 2 hours ago, makatakam said: If you can't afford to buy a new one, you can make your own. That's what I did. I had three home-made before I bought my first real Rev. See my avatar. Now I have a dozen(?) of the real thing and a dozen home-made. Just made two more during the winter. Where there is a will, there is a way. You have to want it! +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitedad Posted August 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 12 hours ago, makatakam said: Where there is a will, there is a way. You have to want it! where there's a wad of cash, there is a way. I want to buy it. I have a sewing machine, they are really handy at times, minor repairs ok but a whole kite, no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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