wasps

Has anyone been successful in getting wasp nest residue off dacron? I have unsuccessfully tried soap and water, hydrogen peroxide, and dilute bleach. Maybe acetone will work but I'm concerned it will harm the sails. vinegar? toothpaste? classic coke? Is there a secret formula out there?

thanks

--Steve

Wasp Residue Removal

Steve:

In Florida I had what they call "Mud Nests".....both on my house and on my sails and the Sunbrella cover.....I tried my old trusty Parsons Foaming Amonia....Worked pretty well.....did not remove completly, but over time the stuff has pretty much disappeared......

As usual......FWIW....my.0002 worth

Ick !

And way up here in the NW.... we have had a several infestations of "mud dauber" wasp nests in main sails, over the decades. The muddy outline of the removed nest is really hard to remove. IIRC it takes soap and water and then some time for the stain to fade.
D*%*^ed insects only took about a week to build their home, under the sail cover, too! Same wasps that build mud nests under the eves at home, AFAIK.

The most recent one from a few seasons ago, was found when removing the cover and having chunks of mud and larvae fall on the deck. The mess of crawling critters looked like something Steven King would imagine! :0

Best of luck.


Loren

steven said:

Has anyone been successful in getting wasp nest residue off dacron? I have unsuccessfully tried soap and water, hydrogen peroxide, and dilute bleach. Maybe acetone will work but I'm concerned it will harm the sails. vinegar? toothpaste? classic coke? Is there a secret formula out there?

thanks

--Steve

Click to expand...

Don't forget to get the wasps out first.
Three nests this spring. One in the anchor well, one under port lazarette, and one in the starboard cockpit drain through hull that is frozen open.
They tried to make one under the sail cover but I noticed them flying in and out.
Aggressive little sob's.


-Garrett

After knocking off the big stuff, try a small stiff bristle brush or even a toothbrush, dry. I feel like I've had some success getting it out of the fiber this way.

. . . good advice but too late . . . reached into my cockpit combing for a winch. Five stings on my hand. Fortunately I am not allergic, though the stings are unpleasant.

Steve, I am sorry to hear about the stings. Fortunately, you don't swell like I do from them.

With respect to the stains, I've had much success getting stains (from whatever) out of fabric with OxiClean. I usually wet the area with OxiClean liquid pre-cleaner and then put OxiClean crystals on the wetted area. Next, I take a toothbrush and gently scrub the stain. After this step, I spray more pre-cleaner and let it sit for about 30 minutes. I then rinse. If the stain isn't removed, but there is improvement, I repeat.