How Do I Remove a damaged lifeline block?

RJV · 30 March 2009, 03:10

Hi there. I have a Mercury Quicksilver 280 Dynamic RIB (white hypalon fabric).

Its only just over one year old but last week one of the several lifeline blocks (grey rubberlike parts which anchor the blue polyester lifeline around the tubes) tore through .... its still attached firmly to the RIB tube (no damage to the tube) but the hole through which the lifeline passes has ripped through to the edge of the block and now doesn't function as it should.

I've managed to purchase a replacement part (only $10 each) and have read this forum on the gluing tips .... but what advice can members give me to safely unglue/remove the damaged block from the tube ... its glued very well ! It's about 100mm (4 inches) in diameter.

See photo of lifeline block (in undamaged state) attached.

Thanks in advance.

Steve Hackett · 30 March 2009, 06:58

You can heat it with a hair dryer, it takes a bit of time but it should come off easily.
A Quicksilver is PVC not hypalon, make sure you get the correct glue.

RJV · 30 March 2009, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Hackett

You can heat it with a hair dryer, it takes a bit of time but it should come off easily.
A Quicksilver is PVC not hypalon, make sure you get the correct glue.

Thanks, but my Quicksilver is made of Hypalon, not PVC. In this region (Australia) the 280 Dynamic RIB is white and purports to be made of Hypalon XD (not Duratex HD ... which I think is grey PVC), as per the following link :

http://www.mercurymarine.com.au/mpi/...5?OpenDocument

Given this, does your advice still hold ....a hair dryer used on Hypalon?

Thanks.

Steve Hackett · 30 March 2009, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJV

Thanks, but my Quicksilver is made of Hypalon, not PVC. In this region (Australia) the 280 Dynamic RIB is white and purports to be made of Hypalon XD (not Duratex HD ... which I think is grey PVC), as per the following link :

http://www.mercurymarine.com.au/mpi/...5?OpenDocument

Given this, does your advice still hold ....a hair dryer used on Hypalon?

Thanks.

Yep, hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue until you can lift an edge, then slowly peel off while applying heat carefully.