What is the most fade resistant tube colour?

rbw156 · 05 July 2005, 12:09

I've just placed my order for a new RIB. What is the most fade resistant Hypalon tube colour?

John Kennett · 05 July 2005, 12:15

For fade resistance, and generally looking new longest, grey is the clear winner.

Darker colours tend to fade more, lighter colours tend to get dirty quickly. Yellow can often suffer from both! Keeping the tubes covered when not in use will go a long way to prevent them fading whatever colour they are.

John

brucehawsker · 05 July 2005, 12:37

What is the solution when fading occurs?

Scary Des · 05 July 2005, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

What is the solution when fading occurs?

Buy new toobs

Des

jwalker · 05 July 2005, 12:47

Cellulose thinners followed by Klear. What is the solution.... get it, solution?

Oh never mind.

RIVA · 05 July 2005, 12:48

a cover is the solution to tube fade

Alan · 05 July 2005, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

What is the solution when fading occurs?

toob cleaner / elbow grease / uv protector !

Mark Halliday · 05 July 2005, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIVA

a cover is the solution to tube fade

I second that.
My dark blue tubes are now in their 8th season and you can hardly see where makers logo has just come off. If anthing the area which was covered is probably slightly lighter. Or maybe the rest is just dirtier.

codprawn · 05 July 2005, 14:07

Has anyone tried Armourall or STP son of a gun type vinyl/rubber stuff - sold in most car shops - stops stuff cracking and cleans and protects etc etc - it is also very cheap compared to the marine stuff!!!

brucehawsker · 05 July 2005, 14:18

I have probably only had the tubes exposed to the sun and air for a total of 45 days since I took delivery. Otrherwise the covers have been on. However, there is some evidence of something - possibly fading - slightly lighter areas - above the bow. I have been cleaning with ordinary domestic cleaner and the tubes have come up well. But this is not an area which has been cleaned particularly at all!

Stephen-RIB · 05 July 2005, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbw156

I've just placed my order for a new RIB. What is the most fade resistant Hypalon tube colour?

I think grey is probably the best, to help prevent fading the following steps should help.

Wash the bown after use every time with fresh water.
Keep the boat covered when not in use.
Use a UV protective coating on the tubes.

rbw156 · 05 July 2005, 16:53

Light or dark grey?

What UV protection is best? No wise cracks about sun factor 30 or using an umbrella!

Hightower · 05 July 2005, 17:08

I've got red tubes on a 10 year old RIB and they still look pretty good, I do cover the boat after every trip but I've only had it for one and a half years.

Stuart M · 05 July 2005, 17:42

My rib is orange and doesn't look faded at all - it's 10 years old and looks great. It does look dirty close up and could do with a clean. I've had it a year, but I think it has been left in the water at sometime looking at the gel coat. The other advantage (like yellow ribs) is that helicopters can see it very well (as can everyone else)

SIB before was grey and years old - still looked very good.

BTW the rib is an avon who use hypalon - I don't know if that makes a difference.

Hope that helps.

Stuart

Jimbob · 07 July 2005, 07:40

My scorpion has grey, they look new.

I used to have a humber with orange tudes, i covered the boat and they looked new too, so maybe the answer is have a decent cover