BP/Wing Clean

[Straegen]

So what is your routine for cleaning your backplate, harness and wing? If you don't mind include any products or clever tips you use during the process.

[MSilvia]

I separate the plate, wing, and STA, and dump them in the tub. I usually fill the wing with water, and empty it completely, in the usual way. No products, no tricks, nothing fancy. Rinse and dry. That's about it. Sometimes, I don't even do that. If I dove in relatively clean fresh water, I almost definately do not.

[Straegen]

Someone told me they rub paraffin on their AL backplate... thought that was interesting.

[BSea]

I do pretty much what MSilvia does. Just basic cleaning. If I go on a trip (salt water) then I will fill the wing with water & let it set for a few hours. Just to make sure there are no salt crystals. That's probably over kill, but it's not like I have to watch it soak. Then rinse a few times, hang to dry. I know some people use some listerine with their final rise to kill germs, but I don't.

The BP & harness just get a basic rinse.

[awap]

Depending on the rig, I rarely if ever disassemble. After FW dive, I empty the bladder, let it dry, and hang it in the closet. After SW dives, I soak the whole thing for a couple hours (operate the buttons on the inflator to flood/rinse it), rinse the bladder and inflator with a hose, and back to FW cleanup.

[LiteHedded]

I only rinse it if I dive salt water
and that's pretty rare for me

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by Straegen

Someone told me they rub paraffin on their AL backplate... thought that was interesting.

Interesting would be one way to describe it. Obsessive compulsive might be another. Seriously... it's a freakin' backplate.

Mine has some galvanic pitting from diving it in saltwater with stainless steel screws. You know how much that effects it's performance? I'll give you a hint... I still expect to be diving that plate 20 years from now.

[CompuDude]

Dump the entire rig in the shower. Turn on the shower for a couple of minutes. Hang to dry. Next...

[skdvr]

If it is my doubles rig, it is normally still attached to my tanks so I just spray it off with the garden hose. If it is my singles I just drop it in the soak bucket for a min and hand it up. That is it. Well I guess I do fill the wing about 1/4 of the way with fresh water and rinse out the inside too... Now that is it...

Phil

[IrishSquid]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Interesting would be one way to describe it. Obsessive compulsive might be another. Seriously... it's a freakin' backplate.

Mine has some galvanic pitting from diving it in saltwater with stainless steel screws. You know how much that effects it's performance? I'll give you a hint... I still expect to be diving that plate 20 years from now.

Would you give me a really good price on it 20 yrs from now? Heck it will only be good for another 10 yrs after that!