PVC discoloured

[MaxiSailing]

Bought straps (belts, tie downs don’t know the correct word) from Amazon.

Big mistake! It’s like the pvc changed color, can’t polish off (tried some rib cleaner as well). The rags are not even getting pink.

Ideas how to do, or should I give up and try to use more straps to make the SIB more personal?


I already when attached the straps noticed that the red colour was coming off in the rain but thought it was water solvable and I was cold....

[jeffstevens763@g]

Biggest mistake I’m afraid probably the die has impregnated the PVC. Tie down from the transom and bow eye with rag to stop chafe

[Brinormeg]

Oh bummer...looks quite new as well?
Have you tried white tcut? or some kind of white dye.....wont totally match but be less obvious.

Maybe just rename it the Great White and Red

[MaxiSailing]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Oh bummer...looks quite new as well?
Have you tried white tcut? or some kind of white dye.....wont totally match but be less obvious.

Maybe just rename it the Great White and Red

Hahaha! That’s really funny.

[willk]

I'm afraid that does look like dye transfer. You might try some solvents like MEK or Tolulene, but I suspect that the colour has run deep into the PVC.

Might I suggest some patches?

[Limecc]

Oh dear I feel your pain. You might try bleach or Oxalic acid or TFR. Someone else will advise if detrimental to the PVC but I don't think so for the limited time applied.

Don't want to give you false hope but I had similar from light blue 50mm ratchet straps on our grey/white PVC Mercury RIB and it came off with neat 200:1 TFR and a scrubbing brush. I didn't try the two bleaching agents but suspect they will work better than TFR.

[ThundercatRob]

Is this only an issue with PVC, or can staining occur on hypalon as well?

[ribber]

Give it a season of exposure to the sun, will soon fade away.

[Pikey Dave]

Ooops! I’d avoid solvents, they may make it worse by making the surface of the pvc tacky & fixing the dye. I’d give detergent/TFR type substances a go first.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Ooops! I’d avoid solvents, they may make it worse by making the surface of the pvc tacky & fixing the dye. I’d give detergent/TFR type substances a go first.

I'd agree with PD here avoid anything that will soften the surface and potentially melt the dye into it.
My approach would be try various cleaners on the actual straps and see what gets the colour of those running

[TmMorris]

Originally Posted by ThundercatRob

Is this only an issue with PVC, or can staining occur on hypalon as well?

Hyperlon is typically more chemically resistant as it is chlorosulfonated polyethylene. PVC being polyvinyl chloride can react with organic compounds more easily. I think it is easier for an agent to remove the chlorine atom from PVC. Hyperlon has about a third of those bonds as well as bonds with sulphur and I think it is that which makes it less reactive.

This is why with PVC you need to be a bit more careful with petrol spills etc.

I'd be very wary of using organic solvents to try and 'clean' the dye out as you could instigate a chemical reaction with the PVC.

Bleaching with vinegar or diluted bleach is the place to start but even then what you are doing is massively speeding up the bleaching caused by UV in an isolated area which is not ideal.

You could try leaving strips of cloth rinsed in vinegar or bleach on just the red area over night to see if that mellows the stain at all.

White dyes are about the weakest so I'm not sure you'd have too much joy. And this doesn't help the OP but RWD dye is hard to fix which is why we end up with pink shirts and pants but rarely blue etc. Avoid red material where possible but also soak stuff overnight to check but if anyone has ever had a car with white leather they may have learned that even the blue from denim can come out and stain it.

Salt water, sun and time may be the best way to temper the stain.

[MaxiSailing]

Did try most chemicals at home today except the acetone, thinner type solvents.

Oxalic acid, traffic film remover, bleach, soap, rubbing did nothing. The only thing that did some difference was some kind of “label off” that made the rag a bit pink (not noticeable on the boat unfortunately).

[jeffstevens763@g]

There’s a uPVC cleaner for windows I used to clean my tubes when the cover coating stained my tubes worked well but not sure with dye worth a try not expensive

[Brinormeg]

Originally Posted by MaxiSailing

Did try most chemicals at home today except the acetone, thinner type solvents.

Oxalic acid, traffic film remover, bleach, soap, rubbing did nothing. The only thing that did some difference was some kind of “label off” that made the rag a bit pink (not noticeable on the boat unfortunately).

Despite the joke earlier I do feel for you. But I do remember many many years ago we had a car with white trim and seats and used a T-cut type liquid which cleaned and whitened any stains including denim jeans, coffee and red wine (dont ask)

Had a search on google but just cant seem to find it now, and cant say if it would have worked on your sib material anyway, or how good a match it would be. But maybe ask at your local car care place and see what they have.
Another long shot would be trainer whitener that might disguise it a bit but obviously have to watch not damage the sib.
Only other option i can think of if it really is going to bother you, is maybe make feature of it or glue some patches in a way that makes it look like they are meant to be there.

[Steve509926]

It's a long shot, but try some Vanish Oxi Action.
I removed some yellow dye stains from my truck leather seats. Mixed a thick paste and left it on over night, after trying on a hidden area to make sure it wouldn't damage the leather. Next day washed it off, left it to dry and then polished the seat with clear leather polish.
I'd try it on a piece of repair pvc just to make sure it's not going to damage your SIB.
Good luck.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

It's a long shot, but try some Vanish Oxi Action.

Good call.

And make sure it's the one for whites not coloured's