How to get sap off.

[Le Sanglier]

You've not noticed ill effects climbing Douglas fir ?

 

I've had to change rope and friction cord halfway through a day before now due to sap. Those damn bubbles. Thank god for rope grabs.

 

I think he is talking about a wire cord flipline with a grab; (maybe) I use one, never had the grab react to sap.,

[morten]

Alcohol Gel - the absolute best...

 

+1

 

And alcohol gel is safe, too. For hands as well as climbing kit.

 

I have a small spray-bottle with pure methylated spirits that I use for hands, clothes and kit. Works a treat!

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

Don't bother. It"s not really a problem. I have never cleaned mine, not noticed any ill effects.

 

Bubbles on Douglas-fir? Perhaps on grand fir or noble fir?

 

Formic acid is good for getting it off your hands if you can find any.

[pault]

Yeah the reason i ask is because i am using a friction hitch with pulley. Its nearly impossible to tend it when its jammed with sap. Tried some swarfega alcohol gel tonight. See how that works. Would be interesting to see what homemade concoctions people can come up with.

[Taupotreeman]

Bubbles on Douglas-fir? Perhaps on grand fir or noble fir?

 

Formic acid is good for getting it off your hands if you can find any.

 

Yep, get em on Doug Fir in NZ. Only the younger ones though.

 

I wash most of my climbing gear the same as has been posted. Warm temp, no spin and just a little washing powder. Cleans up ropes nicely. Another good way is to let them drag in a fast flowing stream if all else fails. Not sure about metal gear and flip lines. I even had my SJ clog up after doing one ugly Doug Fir.

[StephF]

Thanks for the good tips on this thread, I have to admit to using alcohol before now to clean ropes (emergency measure as that was all we had on site and ropes completely gunked up!) can never get the stuff off clothing eg chainsaw trousers/fleeces even in the washing machine, but will try some of the things mentioned here...

[Andy Collins]

Petrol on hands!!!! I take it you've never had dermatitis then? A smudge of butter or margarine, will soften up the sap, persistent then a little sugar as grit will help. Keep petrol for the engines, not your skin, and certainly not ropes either. I think Honey Bros do a rope cleaning kit, with a special rope brush included, get that.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

Petrol on hands!!!! I take it you've never had dermatitis then? A smudge of butter or margarine, will soften up the sap, persistent then a little sugar as grit will help. Keep petrol for the engines, not your skin, and certainly not ropes either. I think Honey Bros do a rope cleaning kit, with a special rope brush included, get that.

 

Ah yes! I had forgotten about butter. We used to use it as kids to get tar off our feet in the summer. Nice one Andy.

Butter and sugar.......just add flour and apples and you could have a crumble!

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

Yep, get em on Doug Fir in NZ. Only the younger ones though.

 

Yes that's true. I have never had to climb a young one though!

[Pierre27]

. Another good way is to let them drag in a fast flowing stream if all else fails. .

 

What, and get it all caught up in supermarket trollies and old bikes!!