Vinyl stickers on a Zodiac

[Heino]

I had a boat number and name cut out of vinyl. The stick on type.

How do one stick it onto the Zodiac to ensure it will not come off. Do I have to clean the area with alcohol before sticking it on. And I have the 303 lubricant to make the pontoom shine. I take it the sticker go on first and then feed the hypalon with the 303 polish.

Thanks in advance

[jeffstevens763@g]

i would stick it on to a bit of perspex then tie to your safety lines on your boat

[Fenlander]

If I put a name or number on an inflatable the most visible and suitable place is the inside of the transom.

In case one of ours drifted away on holiday I'll be making up some DIY name and holiday contact details (in Word) to about 15cm x 17cm, laminating and temp attaching to transom inside with tiny tacks.

[jyasaki]

I never had much luck with vinyl stickers on hypalon. There's a slight stretch to the material that eventually works the vinyl loose causing creases at best and complete failure at worst.

That said, I would clean the application area with a wipe of acetone. Hitting the sticker adhesive with a quick acetone wash will help activate the adhesive and get it to stick much more securely. Definitely apply the sticker before treating the hypalon with protectant.


jky

[office888]

Self-adhesive vinyl will barbeque itself off in a few months.

I would recommend number plates, paint, or glue-on registration boards.

[Heino]

The Zodiac dealer said to use the thinnest vinyl sticker to allow for the hypalon movement. The sticker would then expand and contract with the hypalon material.

I just cant remember how to prepare the pontoom before sticking it on.

Might have to give him a call again.

[Neuner]

You probably should.

We have to include a state issued vinyl registration sticker on either side of our bow with our numbers. Pretty thin. It never stayed on no matter what. Wound up getting a similar piece of the boat material a little larger in size than the sticker and gluing the sticker on it with waterproof rubber glue. Punched a hole in it and zip tied it on near the numbers. Water patrol didn't have an issue with it and understood. Our numbers were put on with just a permanent marker.

[Heino]

What type of white paint will stay on Hypalon. I know with trucks they paint on PVC covers.

[Heino]

For the record, a vinyl sticker DOES NOT stick to a hypalon base.

I tried sticking it on and the sticker came straight off. It ruined the glue on the sticker. What I did then was to put a thin layer of SikaFlex on the sibyl sticker and then stick this onto the boat.

The good thing is the boat and SikaFlex is both black, so it looks OK from a distance. If you go close, you can see the extra glue on the pontoon.

Thanks all for your comments. I added photos of the name and number on the boat.

[hoss]

I have used a tube color vinyl the size of a bumper sticker and had the sign company put the numbers in black vinyl on top of the rectangle. If you have more surface area adhering behind the numbers, it will stay on much better than just numbers. Cleaned the tube well and boned the sticker on. Has been on perfect in all conditions for two years.