Beth

1 hour ago, Snug Harbor Johnny said:

Ahoy Beth,  A problem with copper is that over time, humidity in the air can cause green colored compounds to form on the metal - and that can stain the cloth.  Obviously, you don't want to use thin steel wire, since that can spontaneously rust and also stain the sail cloth.  The best idea is to use brass wire, which almost always (over time) will get a simple brown patina.  If you use jewelers brass wire (used by bead crafters and found in many craft stores nationwide), the wire comes clear coated to resist even getting a patina - so will stay brass colored for a long time.  Since the thin wire is run through the fold-over of the sail edges, you should not be able to see that there is wire inside.  It can be flexed as desired to get the sail shape you want.

Thank you!  

On 9/20/2023 at 3:20 PM, Snug Harbor Johnny said:

   Thanks, Keith.  I think its just fine as far as I went ... no use overdoing anything.  So today (after more garden stuff ... this ideal weather PA is having will only last so long) the remaining sails were treated with Restoration.  With confidence (and careful handling)  I did the step 1 rinse in hot tap water, then did 3 successive baths with the cleaning product.  Ceramic cookware was half filled with hot tap water, then heated to approx. 160 - 180 F on the stove, shifted over to a cool part of the cooktop, some rinsed sails added and a scoop of product - stirring with metal (stainless) tongs.

 

  It really foams up a lot, and if there is too much water to start with there is a danger of the foam going over the top (my first batch threatened to do that, so two pieces of paper towel were put on the foam to 'soak up' and break the bubbles).  After 5 minutes (or so) the hot pot was moved with pot holders to the sink, and cold water run in.  My gloved hand scooped the sails out and rinsed under cold tap water.

 

 

  Then I 'blocked' the sails on paper towel, covered with more paper towels and hand pressed.

 

 

  I have other 'irons in the fire', so rather than get the blow dryer, I took the blocked sails outside to get sun-dried ... 

 

 

  The dirty, old sails (likely starched originally as previously noted) now have a new lease on life.  Fragile when wet, they firm-up once dried.  I treat the reef points as already pictured, then pick something to do next - probably do work on the hull.  There is not enough space to install 'eyebrows' over the top row of portholes, so that, as well as any thought of simulating rivets should just go out the window.

 

  I might consider replacing the eyelets used as portholes - as conceived by the original builder.  That will make repainting the hull easier, as it really does need repainting.

 

I've been using Restoration on the sails on my ship.  I have been cleaning one at a time.  Because they have paintings on them, I scan the sail in and make a photo copy, which are true to size.  Then I soak the sail in Restoration with excellent results!  I use a lightboard to pencil the image back on the sail and paint.  The guy who made the ship had excellent woodworking skills...his painting skills were eh.  So, I'm not having a problem replicating his paintings!  LOL  I did not like one of his paintings (lion with long tail?) and I changed it.  After that, I found an image online of what it should look like.  So, I made a new sail (it turned out pretty good!) and repainted.

My sails have wire going through them and I'm replacing a lot of it.  I have copper that is a thinner gauge than what was used, so I am going to get some thicker wire.  Is copper okay to use?  What is on the ship is not brass, but when I clean it, it is not as dark as copper.

I would like to try this to clean the sails on my ship, but they have drawings on them.  Do you think this would remove the drawings?