Degreasing PVC tubes

IanH · 20 June 2013, 20:21

Looking to apply some vinyl lettering to my Zodiac which will require degreasing the PVC tubes.

Any recommendation for suitable household degreasers? I may have something already or can pick something up from the local shops and not have to order a specialist product in. Have already washed the tubes with water and mild fairy liquid.

I did a quick search and acetone was mentioned. What about meths or white spirit?

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2013, 20:50

White spirit will leave it greasy. Meths will work.

ian parkes · 20 June 2013, 20:54

Did a load of repairs to an old pvc narwhal a year or two back that my daughter and her fella had got stitched up with , and acetone is a must for glue to work , it opens the pores in the pvc somehow and allows the adhesive to get a proper key . The instuctions on the glue were adamant about hard rubbing with acetone a number of times before actually gluing , the patches held really well once i did it by the book .
meths is ok for normal de greasing but not for glueing .

whisper · 20 June 2013, 20:59

Would MEK do it?

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2013, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Would MEK do it?

It'll melt the PVC.

IanH · 20 June 2013, 21:22

As I understand it, MEK is basically the liquid modelling glue. Have you seen what this stuff does to plastic? I use to melt old sprues in it and create liquid plastic filler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

White spirit will leave it greasy. Meths will work.

Meths it is. It was recommended by the boat graphics company but the instructions were not specific to PVC tubes and carried a disclaimer to check suitability of any degreasant used on inflatable tubes so needed to double check its suitability on PVC.

Why would white spirit leave it greasy as its used as a degreasant for many things?

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2013, 21:37

White spirit is actually a slightly greasy solvent.

ian parkes · 20 June 2013, 21:45

Meths it is. It was recommended by the boat graphics company but the instructions were not specific to PVC tubes and carried a disclaimer to check suitability of any degreasant used on inflatable tubes so needed to double check its suitability on PVC.

Why would white spirit leave it greasy as its used as a degreasant for many things?[/QUOTE]

Are the letters like van graphics ie self adhesive like stickers I thought you were using letters made from the same pvc as the boat and need to use pvc glue ?

IanH · 20 June 2013, 22:03

I don't know exactly what the lettering is, but they are self adhesive like van graphics but much more flexible material for use on inflatable tubes that will be left mostly deflated - I had to specify this when ordering and discussed the options with graphics company who are specialists in marine and aviation graphics.

captnjack · 20 June 2013, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanH

I don't know exactly what the lettering is, but they are self adhesive like van graphics but much more flexible material for use on inflatable tubes that will be left mostly deflated - I had to specify this when ordering and discussed the options with graphics company who are specialists in marine and aviation graphics.

I'll be surpised if they stay on for more than a few deflation - rollups

ian parkes · 20 June 2013, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanH

I don't know exactly what the lettering is, but they are self adhesive like van graphics but much more flexible material for use on inflatable tubes that will be left mostly deflated - I had to specify this when ordering and discussed the options with graphics company who are specialists in marine and aviation graphics.

Ok i understnd now , maybe acetone would be a bit harsh , the first application cleand the surface really well the second seemed to remove the surface a little .

The other cleaner i used was PVC window cleaner , its cheap and available from diy shops , smells very strong but cleaned the tubes really well without the stripping effect of the acetone .

IanH · 20 June 2013, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

I'll be surpised if they stay on for more than a few deflation - rollups

The company are specialists in this area, not some popup ebay shop. They have been involved with globally visible projects including as OEM to some boat manufacturers (including Avon) and have been doing it for years. Its not a standard material and if it was not going to last, I am sure they would have found out many many years ago.

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2013, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

The other cleaner i used was PVC window cleaner , its cheap and available from diy shops , smells very strong but cleaned the tubes really well without the stripping effect of the acetone .

Did it smell like TFR by any chance?

captnjack · 20 June 2013, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanH

The company are specialists in this area, not some popup ebay shop. They have been involved with globally visible projects including as OEM to some boat manufacturers (including Avon) and have been doing it for years. Its not a standard material and if it was not going to last, I am sure they would have found out many many years ago.

The Avon badges and such are actually made of hypalon and glued on with 2 part glue. Anything like a "sticker" with a peel off backing just won't hold up. The 1 part PVC glues are ok, the 1 part hypalon glues aren't worth the bother when the vastly superior 2 part hypalon glues are available.

I'm sure the manufacturer has made a load of promises about their products durability. Unless its actually being guled on, consider me in the skeptical camp.

ian parkes · 20 June 2013, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Did it smell like TFR by any chance?

No nothing like TFR. I wouild describe tfr as bleach type cleaner , the pvc window cleaner is a solvent cleaner with a High spirit solvent type smell . Ill,get you some it only about £3 a litre from our beloved trago .

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2013, 22:53

Nah dont' worry, I'll stick with the gallon of TFR

Seems to last forever.

Peter_C · 21 June 2013, 03:16

If I wanted something clean with no grease, I would use Acetone on the tubes. For instance if I was getting ready to glue or perform a repair. That would include attempting to stick letting that probably won't stick long term. MEK is the chemical used right before applying glue as it softens the PVC material in preparation for gluing. If you want something to stay put on a PVC boat...glue it on.

Tim&Linda · 21 June 2013, 05:46

IAN H , could you tell me this company that's doing the letters for you, as I need some done please

IanH · 21 June 2013, 09:14

The company is Graphic Innovation and their website is Graphic Innovation about us

Make sure that you speak to him with your exact requirement and satisfy yourself that its going to do as you want. There were a number of options available for them to create my graphic and after speaking with the chap and discussing number of colours, size and how long boat will spend in the bag, I trust that they will perform as I expect. Either way, you need to mention inflatable use when ordering so flexi material can be used.

When affixing to inflatable, you must do above certain temperature (16c?) and leave boat inflated 7 days for adhesive to cure. I was going to do mine this morning until temperature suddenly dropped.

I've used stick on sail numbers for years and never had a problem even when folded/creased right through the lettering.

Hth

simsy · 21 June 2013, 09:19

mek or acetone will soften the PVC, ok in small quick amounts. WILL degrease it real good.....