Silicon oil treatment

batfalcon · 05 June 2001, 19:00

Is silicon oil treatment good for the tubes, or should I leave the things as the are and never think of "protecting" them ? I live in Greece, the boat lives in my garrage when not at sea and the only reason i should coat the neopren with such an oil is to keep it smooth and elastic. Any advice please ?

Jari Hjerppe · 05 June 2001, 20:29

I would suggest that NEVER use silicone oil or other products that contain silicone for your tube.

Silicone is very difficult to remove from a treated surface and if you have to repair (glue a patch etc) your tube it may be difficult or even impossible to do if it has been "protected" by silicone.

In this forum there is the topic "CLEANING TUBES" that has information for cleaning and protectin the inflatable parts of your boat.

Actually it was "CLEANING SPONSONS"

Jari

[This message has been edited by Jari Hjerppe (edited 05 June 2001).]

batfalcon · 06 June 2001, 05:48

Thanks for the advice. In fact I never thought it would be nice treatment, so I never applied silicon oil on the tubes. Finally I suppose that vaseline makes the same efects, right ?

David Perry · 18 June 2001, 21:36

For heavens sake don't put anything slippery on the tubes just to keep them looking nice. If you do, you will increase your chances of a person overboard. Look after your boat with a cover.
Dave

Jari Hjerppe · 18 June 2001, 21:58

I'll agree David's reply. Just keep your boat clean and protect it against the sun and you'll get the most of the tube of your boat.

J. Hjerppe

Alan · 19 June 2001, 09:09

Couldn't agree more about a cover. We left our boat without a cover for about 4 weeks last year and the tubes faded really badly. Managed to restore them with some tube cleaner from Inflatable Boat Supplies and put the cover on absolutely religiously everytime we leave her!