Should I test CS-530 before using?
We always recommend that users test a very small area before using CS-530. There is always a chance that your sail is made out of an exotic material we haven't tested or that for colored sails, the dye isn't compatible. And remember not to use it with leather.
Who do you sell to and where can I purchase CS-530?
CS-530 is a commercial product which is sold to professional sailmakers and sail cleaning companies in units of 40 pounds. CS-530 can be purchased from Challenge Sailcloth. Their US headquarters can be reached at 1-800-962-4499. You can also arrange to purchase CS-530 from any of their other US offices or from any of their offices located in other parts of the world.
Can I just drop the sail into the tub as a "brick"?
We prefer to flake the sail into the tub, because this insures that solution will reach all material. However, as long as all parts of the sail are soaking, you can develop your own preferences.
What kind of a trough or tub should I use?
We recommend either fiberglass or galvanized tubs be used. A non-galvanized metal tub will generally have a negative effect on the efficiency of CS-530. If a non-galvanized tub is used we recommend a tarp to line the tub. Although many of our current users use round tubs, we personally prefer a more rectangular tub because it tends to be more efficient and easier to flake the sail into. Many of our current users use livestock feeding troughs which can be purchased easily and cheaply from companies like Agway and Rubbermaid.
How long do laminate sails need to soak before they are clean?
Again, this depends on how dirty or stained the sails were in the first place, how long the stains have been in the material, and the temperature of the water. Also, different laminates are harder to clean than others. However, as a rule of thumb, with room temperature water, we recommend overnight soaking for laminates. Dacron sails only need a couple of hours. Warmer water, higher concentrations of CS-530, and longer soaking time will all increase the effective cleaning power and efficiency.
How long do Dacron sails and acrylics need to soak before they are clean?
Naturally, this depends a great deal on how dirty or stained the sails were in the first place, how long the stains have been in the material, and the temperature of the water. But for a rule of thumb, we recommend that woven sail material and acrylics be soaked from 1 to 4 hours using our recommended dosage with room temperature water. Each user will quickly adopt his/her own feeling for the product and ultimately develop a procedure which best meet their needs. Many of our users have been able to substantially reduce the amount of CS-530 they need in each application.
How can I test and experiment with CS-530 without cleaning whole sails?
We recommend that you mix up 1 or 2 gallons at 4 ounces per gallon. Using a five gallon pail or similar container, put in several square feet of material. Pour the solution on the material, making sure the material is fully covered by the solution. Let the material sit overnight. In the morning, the material should be cleaner than you ever expected, but it will also set the benchmark when you clean the rest of the sail. The more you use and experiment with CS-530, the more you will be able to modify the amount of CS-530 you need to use and the soaking time you need in different circumstances.
Do I need to agitate the sails like I have done with detergents?
The general answer to this is no, because CS-530 does not work on the same principles as detergent. However, if possible, we do recommend that you move the solution around a little. Some of our users just use a canoe paddle once every half hour or hour, some have a motorized version. However, if you are soaking overnight, for example, this is not critical to the overall effectiveness of the cleaning.
How much water should I use?
Unlike detergents, the amount of water you use with CS-530 is very important to avoid wasting product and money. Because CS-530 works on a parts per million basis, you will want to use as little water as possible to just cover the sails. If solution is not touching material, it is not cleaning material, so excess water is not doing you any good. If you are used to using a lot of water, you will be surprised at how little water is needed to clean a sail, or multiple sails simultaneously. Because the sails tend to float, many of our users use different methods of weighting the sails down and at the same time insuring that the material is fully covered by solution. (For general guidance, we have prepared a table and some helpful hints which appear in other parts of this site.)
How do I know how much CS-530 to use?
This depends on factors like the type of material to be cleaned, the temperature of the water, and the needs of the cleaning operation. We have prepared a table for initial guidance, but our current uses have each adopted their own practices to maximize the effectiveness of CS-530 in conjunction with their own requirements.
Can I re-use the solution if I just add more CS-530, or do I have to replace the water for each load?
The solution in the tub can absolutely be used repeatedly if new CS-530 is added. Of course, at some point the water becomes dirty enough that you won't want to re-use it.
How long does the solution remain effective?
The solution does lose it's effectiveness over time, depending primarily on the water temperature. As a rule of thumb, in room temperature water, the solution will stay at it's maximum potency for about 10-12 hours. After twelve hours, it starts to lose it's potency at a fairly rapid rate. At about 24 hours, it is pretty much used up.
Can I use household Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with CS-530?
NO, NO, NO. Chlorine bleach (and similar bleaches) are incompatible and should not be used with CS-530. Besides, we invented CS-530 so that no one would ever have to use Chlorine bleach on sails again.
Do I need to use detergent with CS-530?
No. CS-530 was designed so that detergents aren't needed, and none of our current users feel a need for detergent. However, CS-530 is compatible with any non-bleach detergent.
What kinds of dirt or stain doesn't CS-530 clean?
CS-530 won't remove rust stains. CS-530 will improve grease stains, but won't remove a serious grease stain completely. We have also occasionally come across certain kinds of mineral-based pollution stains which CS-530 had a hard time with. And finally, if mildew is imbedded deeply in multilayer patches or in seam glue, CS-530 will greatly improve the sail, but will not completely remove the stains. However, we have found that in the sun, when the sail is raised, the remaining stain is often hardly noticeable and tends to fade as the season progresses. The problem will continue to improve when the sail is cleaned next year.
Will I damage sails if I use more than the recommended amount of CS-530 or leave the sail in the solution for longer than the recommended time?
Absolutely not. This is one of the great strengths of CS-530 over Chlorine bleach. No matter how much you use or how long you soak, no damage is done to the material and no color change or fading will take place.
What materials are NOT compatible with CS-530?
Don't use CS-530 on the leather trim sometimes found on dodgers and the corners of sails. CS-530 will react with the chemicals which were used to cure the leather. Our current users still soak the sails and dodgers in solution, but they make the effort to keep the leather out of the solution. (Also, if you happen to have something around made of wool or silk, don't use CS-530 on them either.)
Is CS-530 safe and effective on all sail materials?
Although new sail materials are being developed almost hourly, we have tested CS-530 on virtually every material we could find and have found it safe and effective on Dacron, Nylon, acrylics, and the more exotic materials like Mylar and Kevlar. If you have a question on something we haven't mentioned, e-mail us and we'll be glad to get some and test it. We do always recommend you test a few square inches before soaking the entire sail.
Can I save money if I use CS-530?
Yes. Using CS-530 does cost more than detergents, but our users find that they not only provide a much better product for their customers (i.e., cleaner sails), but they save a significant amount on labor.
Will my productivity go up by using CS-530?
Absolutely. Using CS-530 can more than double the output of most cleaning operations because sails generally do not need any follow-up with labor intensive power washing or scrubbing.
After soaking, will I still have to use a power washer or scrub the sails?
In 98% of the sails you clean, the answer is a resounding NO. The few kinds of stains which CS-530 does not clean fully (like rust and grease) will need some follow-up attention. But our customers consider these acceptable exceptions.
How does CS-530 work?
CS-530 is a powder which is mixed into water to form a solution in which material is soaked. CS-530 works by chemically reacting with soil and stains, as opposed to detergents, which work on a more or less "mechanical" basis. CS-530 gets its effectiveness from the concentration and the amount of time the solution is in contact with the material, not scrubbing action like detergents.
