SOLAS 3M tape, advice pls, how to make it forever

[MatFromPoland]

Hello,

My boat is wider than trailer (which is common I suppose)
So to tow it to Greece in 2015 I have decided to add some SOLAS tape.

I have bought from Polish 3M dealer tape dedicated to marine.

It has been working very good:


What I did:

1. Clean rubber strike (soap in liquid for inflatable boats)
2. Dry it use paper towel.
3. Tape not require any glue (it is standard tape, just I have removed paper protector and glue tape to rubber strike)

After Winter (it is still cold outside but I decided to bring trailer for service) I took off double cover:


I can make picture later but almost all of tapes glued on rubber strike partially pull off. There is some glue around of them also.

My question is:

1. How to glue this tape ones per all to rubber strike ?

A. Clean again (HOW TO CLEAN trace of glue ?)
B. ....
C. Glue tape
D. Can I use some rubber in liquid to prevent any moisture goes under tape ?

I have seen something like that:

SPRAY PLAST MOTIP SPRAYPLAST Aerosol - motipdupli.com

Any advice be welcome. Now it looks not so good, so I have to fix it but I would like to do it ones for few years

[office888]

This is going to get a bit technical:
Your rubstrake, is it a plastometer or an elastomer?

Plastomer = Plastics. If you wipe with solvent, it will melt and become sticky.
Elastomer = Rubber. If you wipe with solvent, it may make the surface feel "greasy" and clean, but it will not melt.

Your rubrail could be either. It looks like it is probably a PVC extrusion from the picture, so it would be a plastomer.

You would want to remove the old glue with MEK. Be very careful with the MEK, as any drips will damage the cosmetics. Then, I would reglue with a 2-part glue formulated for PVC inflatable boat use. Excess glue can be lightly scrubbed away with solvent. I prefer using toluene for cleanup.

[MatFromPoland]

I will ask about any MEK in Poland and 2-part glue for PVC

But this tape has already glue. It is self-glue tape Products:Â*3150A SOLAS Grade Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Film

So can I use glue over glue ??? Many thanks for info. I know what is MEK and BUTANONE now.

[office888]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

I will ask about any MEK in Poland and 2-part glue for PVC

But this tape has already glue. It is self-glue tape Products:Â*3150A SOLAS Grade Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Film

So can I use glue over glue ??? Many thanks for info. I know what is MEK and BUTANONE now.

My findings have been that pressure-sensitive adhesives are weak. When flexed, they tend to unglue.

The old glue can be scrubbed off with a rag and MEK. If that is too aggressive, you could use toluene or acetone.

[MatFromPoland]

Thank you. Will try on one and give you feedback.
Can you suggest good glue ? Worldwide available ?

[office888]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

Thank you. Will try on one and give you feedback.
Can you suggest good glue ? Worldwide available ?

I exclusively use Vinycol 1520M2 for plastomers.
ACCESSOIRE 4W COLLE VINYCOL 1520 M2 250 ml - ULMERBATEAUX

You should inspect your rubrail first to make sure this is the right glue. Wipe a small section with solvent to see if it becomes sticky.

[Jeff]

Hi Matt
In the UK you should not have any white 'light'showing at the rear or side of the vehicle - and it seems the same in Europe -
Reflective Tape Regulations For Trucks, Trailers & Commercial Vehicles. ECE104 & EC70.01 Legislation Regarding Use Of Vehicle Conspicuity Tape And Truck Marker Boards.

You would possibly be better having red for the rear a frame and amber along the strakes - or at least amber for both to prevent any zealous law officer having sport. 3M do have products for commercial vehicles 3M Scotch Lite Diamond Grade Retro Reflective Vehicle Marking Tape ;
Reflective Tape for Vehicles | 3M Reflective Vehicle Tapes from Viking Online

or our friend e bay
NEW HIGH INTENSITY REFLECTIVE TAPE VINYL 25mm, 50mm, 100mm, 150mm widths | eBay

or
Trailer Reflective Tape / Stickers - Reflective Tapes

[willk]

I'm afraid I'd have to agree with Jeff! White SOLAS tapes showing to the rear and sides are going to get you in trouble eventually - plus it looks really bad on the boat, IMO!

I tow quite a bit and my advice is to put tapes on the trailer and make sure that the side lights are bright and working. Fit LEDs if you don't have any at the moment. I have NO lights or tapes showing on my boat but the trailer is like a Christmas tree.

• Full lighting board - 2m wide PLUS extensions - lights and reflectors
• Forward facing white (2)
• Yellow/amber facing side lights (6)
• Yellow flashing light on the outside wheel arch (switched from cab)
• White SOLAS tapes on the front of the wheel arches
• Red triangle reflective tape on the back of the wheel arches
• Yellow reflective tapes on the side bars

My advice for the tow to Greece is to get lit up and deflate your tubes, strap them down with padded straps so they don't flap or chafe. That way you're load will be almost the same width as the trailer, you'll be able to use your wing mirrors and you'll be a smaller target on the Autobahn.

[MatFromPoland]

It is almost invisible during the day:



I have all lights around trailer. So do you suggest to remove these from rubber strike, clean it and insert some tape to trailer only ?

>>>>>

And what about some common advice: "Newer tow deflated RIB ?"

[willk]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

And what about some common advice: "Newer tow deflated RIB ?"

I'd say it is up there with "never step on a crack"

I deflate the tubes using an electric pump - this makes them pull in against the hull and then I strap them down using ratchet straps - covered with cheap pipe insulation where they touch the tubes. It is important to NEVER strap around the boat AND the trailer - just the hull and tubes. You are aiming to stop any flapping and avoid any rubbing. I find it very simple to set up. I generally tie the cone ends in with soft mooring lines to keep them out of the wind.

[MatFromPoland]

Inflate and deflate are not any problem for me. I have found perfect pump JOBE Heavy Duty and original socket from hand pump fit perfectly for it. It is unfortunately 230V but I have another one mounted on boat BRAVO Digital (this one make me angry, when hot al connections pull out ). But way to Greece are 3 days in total, not idea if my PVC tubes will last such journey. Especially end of tubes will flap or I have to secure them somehow.

And the last reason ... Mine boat inflate looks 10 times better then deflate ...
Thank you guys for all suggestions.

About white reflected tape. It is on boat not trailer. I'm not sure if anyone can have complains. This tape from ebay will last 20 slips in Greece (salt water) ?

Do I need special glue to fix it to trailer ?

>>>>>>

Is AMBER equivalent of ORANGE from this ebay auction ?
Or YELLOW ?

[office888]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

Do I need special glue to fix it to trailer ?

The adhesive backing should work fine on the trailer metal.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

Inflate and deflate are not any problem for me. I have found perfect pump JOBE Heavy Duty and original socket from hand pump fit perfectly for it. It is unfortunately 230V but I have another one mounted on boat BRAVO Digital (this one make me angry, when hot al connections pull out ). But way to Greece are 3 days in total, not idea if my PVC tubes will last such journey. Especially end of tubes will flap or I have to secure them somehow.

And the last reason ... Mine boat inflate looks 10 times better then deflate ...
Thank you guys for all suggestions.

About white reflected tape. It is on boat not trailer. I'm not sure if anyone can have complains. This tape from ebay will last 20 slips in Greece (salt water) ?

Do I need special glue to fix it to trailer ?

>>>>>>

Is AMBER equivalent of ORANGE from this ebay auction ?
Or YELLOW ?

As willk says, the tape should be ok for quite a while on the trailer - just to help it give it a degrease with MEK or similar before applying.
Amber/orange are the 'same'.

I did add red reflective tape on the tube cones just for extra visibility for the truckers on the Autostrade After 4 years they could do with replacing as they have cracked a little.
I dont bother deflating the tubes when towing and haven't had any issues - except for some scuffing when the Anek boys directed me to turn inside the ferry too close to the vessels hull when disembarking ,,,, easily cleaned up though
I also made up a 'complaint' rear marker board for the Italian roads - a boss on the rear sits inside the prop hub, a cut out to fit around the cavitation plate and a couple of ties to the outboard saddle keeps it nice and secure.
Cheers
jeff

[willk]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I also made up a 'complaint' rear marker board for the Italian roads

Highlighting their high tolls, poor lane rules observance and unhygienic restrooms?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Highlighting their high tolls, poor lane rules observance and unhygienic restrooms?

Damn, you beat me to it

[MatFromPoland]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Amber/orange are the 'same'.

It was silly question Poland is famous of amber ..

Originally Posted by Jeff

except for some scuffing when the Anek boys directed me to turn inside the ferry too close to the vessels hull when disembarking ,,,, easily cleaned up though

I know this pain. They prefer to keep distance between cars max 5 mm
I use MINOAN ferry from Trieste it is MINOAN but packing is always the same

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by willk

Highlighting their high tolls, poor lane rules observance and unhygienic restrooms?

,,, but good coffee and glam girlies


compliant ,,,, although maybe complaining fits better !!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Damn, you beat me to it

I defiantly thought of you when I wrote it

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

I defiantly thought of you when I wrote it

I've said it before, you're a bad man😉

[MatFromPoland]

OK, here it is status (sorry for took it so long)

1. I used Acetone today and the "rubber" strike becomes sticky after this (so it is PVC)
2. I have ordered VINYCOL 1520 M2 from France (it will take 2 weeks to have it)
3. After I receive VINYCOL I'm going to remove
-- old tape (what to use to remove old glue ?? )
-- glue from new tape
4. Do I need to use sand paper before glue tape again ? Or just use Acetone and next to glue ?

Another question, advice please. I do miss really anti - slip path on my tubes.
Many eshops from UK have only material for hypalon tubes. Mine are PVC.

Who can advice me e-shop/ebay and good quality dark gray path (4 items 25cmx25cm)

Please find mentioned below picture contains grey rectangles. In these places I do want to have non - slip parts.


And this item inside red circle has been glued 1 y ago. It partially pull out also.
1. How to repair it ?
2. How to glue path on tube ?
--- again some solvent or MEK first ?
--- sand paper ???
--- after implement Vinycol on tube and path do I need to wait some time or glue it immediately ?