tree sap on ropes

I had a prussic slip while body thrusting up the trunk of a Eucalyptus a few weeks ago. The total fall was only 2-3 feet before the knot grabbed. The prussic cord was not mine and a little too stiff and short for my liking. Upon closer examination I noticed the rope(life line) had Fig sap (Ficus elastica) over it. I think the knot while being slid up over the fig sap opened up too much and therefore didnt grab when loaded. Does anyone have any suggestions on dealing with this sap as soap flakes is not strong enough on the old rubber tree juice?
Thanks zionstree Australia

Zion,

We had a posting on this in the past. If I don't dig it up for you this evening, I recall mayonaise as a possible substance that would release sap from nylon/polyester.

I'm recalling that Ponderosa was someone dealing with sap on a regular basis.

OK, I'm returning with information. Here's the previous posting:
http://www.tci-forums.com/viewthread.php?tid=270

I had queried several rope manufacturers at the time of this previous posting. Only Samson responded. Here's their reply email on clean sap:

We generally recommend trying some of the general household tricks for removing sap, such as butter or mayonnaise, before trying any harsh chemicals. However, if these don't work, you can also try WD-40 (but be sure to wash the residual WD-40 off the rope with soapy water since it can leave a slippery film on the rope). If this still doesn't work, let me know and we can try and come up with some other cleaners that would be safe for the rope.

Regards,
JimK

Keep FIT - Fun in Trees

Aloha all, this is my first post here. Looks like some good natured folks here.

As to ficus sap: that's some sticky stuff! Any oil (or lipid) will break down ficus sap, hence the use of butter or mayonnaise. Unless I've really soaked my ropes in the sap I will just continue to use them, and have found that a few runs with the friction hitch will often strip the stuff off. If it is bad enough that the hitch may slip or stick then I will thoroughly massage that section of the rope with vegetable oil and then toss the rope in the clothes washer with a little bit of mild soap to get the oil out. It never comes out perfectly clean, but it usually comes out safe enough to use. Good luck!

Leon,

Welcome to the forum. Several contributors are climbing at a rendezvous with New Tribe in Oregon.

What are your interests in tree climbing?

Regards,
JimK

Keep FIT - Fun in Trees

Any veggie oil will do a good job of getting the bulk of the sap off or at least loosened. Follow that up with a washdown using Simple Green.

On another rope worker forum I read that a fellow got a rope cleaning kit from Blue Water Ropes. there was a large empty jug and a small bottle of a mystery solution. the fellow compared the MSDS of the mystery solution and Simple Green, same things

Thanks for the welcome Jim. My interests in treeclimbing are both professional and recreational. I work as the arborist at Lyon Arboretum, which is kind of half botanical garden, half rainforest. I also enjoy climbing for fun outside of work. Are there any other members from Hawaii? I am looking for rec climbing companions.

Back to the subject at hand: thanks for the Simple Green tip, Tom. I also recently heard that some folks use Goop to get pine pitch out of their ropes with good results.

Leon,

This is an easy forum for attaching photos. Everyone would enjoy your view of the canopy and an education in your great trees.

Also, if you can't find climbing friends in Hawaii, I can move.

Regards,
JimK

Well I suppose I can oblige with a photo of the garden. Come on over and visit!

WOW!
Beautiful!
When can we come?!
Is this where you usually climb?

Yes, that is where I work, although I don't climb those big guys very often.

It's a real pain when I get my ropes all tangled in the rainbows.

Leon,

My house in Ohio is up for sale. What's my new zip code so the bills can reach me in Hawaii?

Regards,
JimK

Keep FIT - Fun In Trees

Originally posted by Leon


It's a real pain when I get my ropes all tangled in the rainbows.

You punk. Way to rub it in!

Sorry for the delay, but I will be splicing this weekend and your slings are at the TOP of the list (seriously, I think you ordered those, ohhhh, a month ago:()

love
nick

ps- just climb the sap off. That's what works best for me.

Does anyone know where I can buy Simple Green?
I too have a sap problem.
Can it be found at a regular grocery or a hardware store, etc. ?
Thanks,
Charlie B.

I can get Simple Green at both grocery and hardware stores here. At the grocery store I think it's usually in the cleaners section with Windex, 409, and the like.

Thanks, Leon. I'll try to look there.