Anybody willing to share their techniques for cleaning Cortland wrap? Thanks.
What kind of soap? I generally use a bit of laundry soap, a mild mix. Enuff to create some bubbles.
Upholstery cleaners. I would be careful for one reason. When you read the instructions on just about any can, it will tell you to first try it on a hidden or test piece of material, in case that it causes the dye to run.
I have never touched Cortland, but will give any other wrap a spritz of Starch after I initially clean and dry the wrap. Make sure that I wipe it in evenly with a clean cloth and dry it again with a press.
And honestly, I have no idea if the starch does anything special.
I would use Dawn dish soap, like they do on the little ducks that fall victim to BP & Exxon
I also use dishwashing detergent, but I only use a moist/damp towel in order to use as little water as possible. I do one section of the wrap at a time and completely dry it with a clean terrycloth towel and then move up to the next section.
I have only cleaned original Cortland wraps. My method works very well. I have not damaged a wrap or loosened one yet. It is startling how much dirt and grime can be easily removed.
Thanks for the info.
What do you do afterward, if anything, to seal or finish it?
Aloha.
Actually, Just to clarify, Renaissance wax is NOT acidic, it is actually the opposite. http://www.restorationproduct.com/renwaxinfo.htmlHi,
I use Oxyclean.
On light color wraps there is no better IMO.
Once it is dry try Renaissance Wax and burnish with an index card at high speed.
Renaissance is not a wax, it is a microcrystalline chemical formula.
Just plain Wax attracts dirt.
Soap also attracts dirt because it is above 7 on the PH scale and is alkaline.
Renaissance is slightly acidic and repels dirt. It leave the wrap shiny without being sticky. Very nice!
Here is an example on how it works in carpet cleaning for example.
Most people clean their carpet using soap and a machine. When they are done some give it a water rinse. After that process the fibers of the carpet still has an alkaline residue. That coating attracts dirt back into the fibers like a chemical magnetism.
Pros rinse the carpet with an acid rinse that is slightly acidic and the fibers repel dirt. Dirt then falls to the bottom where they are easily vacuumed away. Carpets stay cleaner longer.
It took me a few years to figure this out and when I read the formula of Renaissance I knew this was the product site specific for wrap use in my shop.
It was invented by chemical engineers at the British Museum in the 1950s to coat, wood, marble, metal, paper and organic material. The Constitution and The Magna Carta are protected with this protective layer.
Try it and I am sure you will be delighted with the out come on linen.
Rick
Actually, Just to clarify, Renaissance wax is NOT acidic, it is actually the opposite. http://www.restorationproduct.com/renwaxinfo.html
It does sound like a great wax to use for wraps.
Dave
Thanks Dave,
Yea, that ad says neutral PH. I read in a report somewhere that is was slightly acidic but as long as it is neutral it won't attract the dirt.
The PH Scale is calibrated from 0 to 14. On the PH scale 7 is neutral , anything 7+ is alkaline and anything 7- is acidic. Neutral is not opposite actually.
Anyway it is awesome stuff for wraps
Rick