35
Maintaining Your Mirage
YOUR MIRAGE IS MANUFACTURED MOSTLY FROM NYLON! NYLON IS VERY
DURABLE" BUT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM SEVERAL SOURCES:
# Sunlight!
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight quickly and permanently weaken nylon! Keep your Mirage
out of direct sunlight as much as possible!
$ Acids!
Nylon is also damaged by acids! Keep your Mirage away from hangar floors" dirty car trunks and
similar areas where acids may be found! If such contamination does occur" immediately and thorough%
ly wash
the rig with plenty of warm soapy water! Until a rig can be washed" baking soda will quickly
neutralize most
acids! If acid damage occurs or is suspected" a rigger should thoroughly inspect your
Mirage! When not in
use" your Mirage should be stored in an appropriate storage bag!
& Oils
and
Grease!
Most petroleum compounds do not weaken nylon; they simply stain it! Such
stains
should be promptly removed by a rigger using the proper petroleum solvent! Dry cleaning fluid
works well!
' Water!
Water will not structurally damage your Mirage" but prolonged agitation in clear water
weakens
webbing or may cause some fabric and tape colors to run! Salt water may damage nylon and
rust hardware if not promptly and thoroughly washed off with plenty of fresh water! Your rig will
maintain its new appearance longer if it is kept dry! When washing your rig" be gentle with it! Use
Woolite or similar mild soap and warm water!
( Soil!
Soil may damage your Mirage! Brush off the soil after it has dried and gently wash with warm
soapy water! Be sure that the soil is not in the housings" snaps" &%Ring release or reserve ripcord pins
or loops!
Consult a rigger if your rig is heavily soiled!
) Sand!
Fine sand will weaken and cut webbing and fabrics of all kinds! Prolonged exp
osure to sand will
shorten the life of the entire parachute assembly!
* Abrasion
!
Nylon quickly frays if dragged over concrete or other rough surfaces! Do not drag your
rig
on the concrete while packing!
Mirage
Systems
suggests
having
the
container
washed
every
(++
jumps
to
remove
any
sand
particles!
Sand
has
sharp
edges
and
accelerates
wear!
Remember:
A
well
maintained
container
is
a
safer
container!
MIRAGE SYSTEMS
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