Cleaning hypalon tubes that have been in water

kerfoo · 11 September 2018, 23:49

Hi gang,
New RIB owner (highfield 590) over here in Canada. I've been lurking on here for about a year soaking up all the wisdom you guys have on offer. It's been phenomenal so thank you.

The tubes on my boat sit in the water when it's at rest (I know). As a result they've been growing from the end of May to now - 2.5 months. I cleaned it up at the end of July but the discolouration on the tubes is tough to get off.

What should I use to clean hypalon below the waterline? The picture shown is after i've gone over it with a soft scraper.

I received a hyplaon spot cleaner with the boat. It doesn't seem to do much for the below water portion.

knube1 · 12 September 2018, 08:59

I have a Honwave 3.8 and suffer from the same problem, Mine is in fresh water for about three months in a marina, I clean the thick off carefully with a pressure washer then go over with magic sponges, I then treat the PVC with 303 protector, it is pain to do but it works for me I just wish there was some miracle spray.

charliee · 12 September 2018, 12:03

I had the same issue, I think some of the growth gets into the pores of the fabric and leaves nasty black marks that are hard to remove, in the end the best think i found to use - after all of the normal cleaning was Cilit Bang Black Mould remover. My tubes are fine so I guess it didn't do any harm, I think I got the tip from another similar thread sometime ago.

ribber · 12 September 2018, 17:10

Try oxalic acid. Dilute with plenty of water and apply with soft sponge, gradually increasing in strength if needed. You can always use the stuff to clean the green stains off the fiberglass hull.

Manolism · 13 September 2018, 21:55

Try Euromecci muffanet. Follow the instructions and Then clean with a very soft boat brush.

https://www.yachtpaint.international...-48904730.html

kerfoo · 20 September 2018, 23:46

Thanks guys -thumbs up for the manners reminder!
I had some magic sponges on hand and they did a great job - still lightly discoloured but looking but most of the black is gone.

I had another suggestion to use Toulene. Some threads on here seem to like it and other don't. Anybody have a bad experience?

smallribber · 21 September 2018, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by knube1

I have a Honwave 3.8 and suffer from the same problem, Mine is in fresh water for about three months in a marina, I clean the thick off carefully with a pressure washer then go over with magic sponges, I then treat the PVC with 303 protector, it is pain to do but it works for me I just wish there was some miracle spray.

I think Hypalon is a lot harder to clean than PVC and the hypalon will mark far easier

Pikey Dave · 21 September 2018, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerfoo

Thanks guys -thumbs up for the manners reminder!
I had some magic sponges on hand and they did a great job - still lightly discoloured but looking but most of the black is gone.

I had another suggestion to use Toulene. Some threads on here seem to like it and other don't. Anybody have a bad experience?

Cleaning with solvent should be a last resort. If you skimp on the solvent & just dampen the tubes, it just softens the surface & bonds the dirt. You have to thoroughly wet the surface when using solvent, effectively washing off the dirt. I use TFR & 303, I’ve used this on orange, grey & black Hypalon over the years with good results. Solvent isn’t that effective on water soluble stains either.

Orwell boy · 21 September 2018, 10:33

I was offered a kit at southampton this year on the ribshop stand , shmufflex ,£60 for three steps for hypalon ,held back as didnt want to carry home for four hours on trains , i would want it to be pretty effective for that money ,anybody tried ?