Painting Inflatable boats

DanGri · 26 April 2010, 11:54

I have just bought an Avon Adventurer, 2000 model. Unfortunately previous owner used to leave it in the sun and stains, and even fading of the color began to show. I came across some paint for Hypalon...by Polymarine. Anybody used this brand or similar? What was the output? Positive or it flaked or pealed or cracked away?

Thanks

Daniel

Poly · 26 April 2010, 13:25

If you search here you'll not find many positive comments about paint on the tubes. It will look good to start - but won't last. I would only paint a boat if the tubes were starting to wear / become porous rather than because it has faded. Other than just cleaning them (search for threads about TFR and thinners) which seems to get surprisingly good results - you could cover some or all of the faded areas with "wear patches". As I recall one of the tube makers (Paul Tilley I think) on here did an amazing "make over" on someone's boat - by adding a "second" skin completely over the top of the old tubes - which was presumably cheaper than building new tubes.

9D280 · 26 April 2010, 14:17

Mine had been painted long before I got it......with a brush! (and it shows - there's a pic of it in the "let;s see your best wake shot" thread, and I think a close(ish)- up in a fuel tank / hose thread in the engines section)

It's now at the stage where I cleaned it up & removed the flaky stuff (obviously not had decent surface prep. before application - I can even see dirt stuck to the underside of the flakes!) and now it has a slow deflate. I call it that as it isn't a positive leak I can fi nd wioth soapy water, and as the surface is through to the cloth weave in places, I am going to throw paint at it to get me by for a couple of seasons & then go for a retoob.

IF you go down the paint route, a gloss (sponge as opposed to "furry") roller seems to be the best applicator.

DanGri · 26 April 2010, 18:06

Thanks for your help

DanGri · 27 April 2010, 12:45

Please refer to my other thread: stained tubes. As I got negative feedback locally regarding spraying rib. So I would like to know whether there is another solution for removing these stains. If anyone requires better photos I will be ready to send them by email. Thanks

Nos4r2 · 27 April 2010, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGri

Please refer to my other thread: stained tubes. As I got negative feedback locally regarding spraying rib. So I would like to know whether there is another solution for removing these stains. If anyone requires better photos I will be ready to send them by email. Thanks

Post some to photobucket and link to them?

DanGri · 27 April 2010, 19:52

Hope it works

http://s842.photobucket.com/albums/z...otos/AVON/Rib/

Please leave feedback. These are photos of my rib before cleaning... though soem area are clean and one can see spots. Can these be removed?

doggypaddle · 27 April 2010, 19:56

That looks like its heavily oxidised. it should respond well to TFR and toluene to remove the oxide, then liberally apply some uv protectorant 3M or 303 tec, has to be better than painting it , if it cleans up OK.

Sonar · 27 April 2010, 19:59

You could try some tolene it is a solvent and can be bought at any diving shp mthat either makes or repairs wetsuits.
It looks like storage mold.

DanGri · 27 April 2010, 20:00

Sorry about my ignorance...I am new to ribs/boating. What is TFR and toluene? and were can I buy these and how do I apply? Can this damage the tubes if done wrong?

thanks

Sonar · 27 April 2010, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGri

Sorry about my ignorance...I am new to ribs/boating. What is TFR and toluene? and were can I buy these and how do I apply? Can this damage the tubes if done wrong?

thanks

Wipe it on with a cloth just keep the cloth damp with the toluene it dries in seconds and can be bought at a diving shop that repairs wetsuits or diving dry suits.

Poly · 27 April 2010, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGri

Sorry about my ignorance...I am new to ribs/boating. What is TFR and toluene? and were can I buy these and how do I apply? Can this damage the tubes if done wrong?

thanks

TFR

TFR is "Traffic Film Remover" it is an industrial cleaner used for cleaning vans, trucks, busses etc and cuts through most things. Its fairly aggressive, so protect your hands etc but the general advice seems to be to apply it with a plastic pan scourer. Presumably these things have different names in Italy. It is unlikely to do any damage to the boat - but some metals don't like it so careful with the trailer etc - and thoroughly rinse it off afterwards.

Toluene

Toluene is an organic solvent (methyl benzene). It is not pleasant, is highly flammable, and potentially quite harmful to you if not used with care. You need good ventilation, no naked flames, and good gloves and probably safety glasses if you are going to be sloshing it around. You just want to wipe in with a cloth dampened with toluene - not scrub it. You are effectively disolving some of the outside of the tube with this - so its not something you do every week.

Rather than using neat toluene which is quite expensive, and might be hard to find you might want to find "gun wash" or "thinners" from a spray paint supplier. Gun wash is normally used to clean out paint equipment and so is cheap. Thinners is slightly more "refined" but is also largely toluene based.

DanGri · 27 April 2010, 21:16

Thanks for your great help. In reality I am from Malta but when I registered Malta was not included in the list of countries and so I chose the closest place to Malta to register.

Got some questions to your replies:
(1) will a plastic pan scourer scratch the tubes?
(2) do I dilute TRF with water? if yes, how much water with how much TRF?
(3) Will I have to rinse it off immediately ie it can stain the tubes if left for a long time (eg 30min)?
(4) Is TRF better solution and/or more effective then the other mentioned liquid?
(5) is this good for tubes (not PVC ones) hypalon ones?
(6) anything else which I should know before experimenting with TRF? :S

Thanks

Poly · 27 April 2010, 21:37

Dan,

there are numerous threads here on TFR already, here are some to get you started:

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...&highlight=TFR
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...&highlight=TFR
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...&highlight=TFR
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...&highlight=TFR

DanGri · 28 April 2010, 08:38

Somebody suggested Wurth BMF Cleaner...is this a TRF and good for this purpose? Also 5L can is enough for a 4m Rib? Thanks