Tube cleaning

[Sthurley]

Hello there, what advice have you for cleaning pvc tubes, they have been described as oxidized? In the past I have used pro marine cleaner and a scouring sponge.

[Xk59D]

Don't know about PVC restoration solvents or cleaners but you shouldn't be using a normal scouring pad on tubes, especially with solvents or cleaners. You can get specialised pads for the job that are reusable for a few quid from rib places.

Give Ross at ribstore a bell, they were excellent helping me getting rid of some stains on mine and recommended some products they knew worked. Wasn't a sales pitch either btw!

[DonPeterD]

Soaking wet cloth with acetone. Dissolves the oxidized layer. Wipe it clean.
Looks like it came from the factory. But it’s now completely open in the structure.
I spraycoated my PVC with a flexible lacquer.

[Pikey Dave]

Be very careful using strong solvents, acetone, MEK etc. If you're not careful you can "weld" the grime into the material itself. Think tattoo

[DonPeterD]

Well... I poured 20L acetone on mine, doesn’t look that welded or worn out. On the contrary I’d say.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

Well... I poured 20L acetone on mine, doesn’t look that welded or worn out. On the contrary I’d say.

The secret is to use plenty, if you allow it to dry dirty it's a bugger to get off.

[DonPeterD]

It needs to be soaking wet, wet as being a mayor mess down your arms, boots and all over the lawn.
If you’re bankrupt as I am, it’s worth the time, but daaamn it took three guys a solid weekend to clean. Me another week to coat. And if one is smart, those hours could probably be used to earn the money, to just go and buy a freaking brand new tube...

[95gstnj]

Remember if you are using solvents such as Mek or acetone you are breaking down the PVC material and will shorten the lifespan of the boat. Makes it look good, but you are removing a layer of the tube material itself.

Personally I wouldn't use solvents just to clean. I've been there. Especially if the boat is older, and the tubes are worn some, you'll start running into problems in the near future.

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by 95gstnj

Remember if you are using solvents such as Mek or acetone you are breaking down the PVC material and will shorten the lifespan of the boat. Makes it look good, but you are removing a layer of the tube material itself.

Personally I wouldn't use solvents just to clean. I've been there. Especially if the boat is older, and the tubes are worn some, you'll start running into problems in the near future.

Buy for 100$ of "special RIB clean" and pretend it isn't oxidized. I take you can figure out, it won't fix your problem. But kinda looks like it does. At least for a week or so.

You have two.. well three choices:

-Let it rot on, it WILL crack soon. The PVC has become brittle by the UV breakdown.

-Give it acetone, it WILL start to leak soon. But it has now regained it's elasticity.

-Give it acetone, then right away, when still being sticky, treat it with a flexible polyurethane compound, it regains it's original vivid color, smooth as glass and it becomes way more durable than a new hyperlon tube.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

.............. it becomes way more durable than a new hyperlon tube.

Really?[emoji848]

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Really?[emoji848]

Guaranteed!
-I can bable all I want, and as far as I know, no one has ever done it before.

What I can tell you, is that I rammed a narrow passing, with a clearing of 2x 8cm at a good 4 ktns due to heavy current, and the meathead in the front that’s supposed to guide us through, turned around and shouted “YOU’R GONNA HIT THE WALL!!!”
He was right. And it scraped so hard against the sharp walls for 2m, the whole tube gave in half way. I thought it was game over for all of the port side of the tube. But it barely scratched it...

I did the same thing as a kid, funny enough in my dads Zodiac, at half the speed. I can tell you it didn’t work out too well. For me or the boat

[Xk59D]

Hardly scientific but I'm surprised it held up. I think the PVC cut so pointless but fun test.

https://youtu.be/g9OcKFNEwEg

Just because once it held up for you doesn't mean PVC is better or worse, you got lucky and you are better being lucky than good as they say.

Hypalon is the material of choice for good reason with the best builders out there. Fortunately in Europe there is also a good choice of other materials but give me hypalon every day of week and twice on a Sunday.

[DonPeterD]

MAKE MUUURICAAAA GREAT AGAIN!!!
Sweet mother of jesus, it hits rock bottom now.
I bet a rusty chevy can't go to town on this baby https://youtu.be/2SrN2mFdlkY
YEEEEHAAAA!

If you are worried about going down or not, a complete aluminium MOB boat- or a tuck boat might be the thing you need.

[Xk59D]

Step away from the beer

https://media.giphy.com/media/jJqWEAYkWrxWE/giphy.gif

[95gstnj]

Can you tell us what flexible polyurethane products you are referring to? I'd be interested in trying it

[office888]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

Soaking wet cloth with acetone. Dissolves the oxidized layer. Wipe it clean.
Looks like it came from the factory. But it’s now completely open in the structure.
I spraycoated my PVC with a flexible lacquer.
Attachment 122920Attachment 122921

That may destroy the chemistry of the coating.

I prefer Mr Clean Magic Erasers + diluted degreaser (simple green). They are very mildly abrasive, and will remove most embedded contamination.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by donpeterd

make muuuricaaaa great again!!!
Sweet mother of jesus, it hits rock bottom now.
I bet a rusty chevy can't go to town on this baby https://youtu.be/2srn2mfdlky
yeeeehaaaa!

Originally Posted by office888

that may destroy the chemistry of the brain

ftfy!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

ftfy!

Acetone? No, I reckon Tuborg. Maybe Three or Fourborg...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Acetone? No, I reckon Tuborg. Maybe Three or Fourborg...

Probably half of Bud light[emoji57]

[office888]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Hardly scientific but I'm surprised it held up. I think the PVC cut so pointless but fun test.

https://youtu.be/g9OcKFNEwEg

Just because once it held up for you doesn't mean PVC is better or worse, you got lucky and you are better being lucky than good as they say.

Hypalon is the material of choice for good reason with the best builders out there. Fortunately in Europe there is also a good choice of other materials but give me hypalon every day of week and twice on a Sunday.

It was a biased test. CSM tube had overpressure valves.

PVC tube tore open at a weak spot / bad patch.

Some friends of mine and I condemned a Futura Junior on Thursday. 25 year old pvc boat. Pump started to overheat and lose steam at 9 psi... tube held though. So we cut it with a knife, and magic happened.