Tube Refurbishment/Painting

[Rodan]

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing another RIB - missing the old one. The tubes are not in good shape (its hot and sunny in Asia!). Ther are also the wrong colour...

I have seen vaious threads on painting tubes but not a lot on the actual outcome or what alternatives for covering there are...

Seems to be Flexithane, Tuff Coat or PVC94.

Can anyone who has had experience with this make any recommendations? Application could be tricky as it is hot hot hot here.

I would replace the tubes but unlike back in Blighty its not easy to do - its not an option sadly!

Cheers

[Sam G]

I was on a RIB two days ago that had painted tubes, you could barely tell they were painted and the finish was fantastic. They had used polymarine flexithane and I was very impressed with it and enquired about application, this is what i was told:

1) Wash the tubes thoroughly
2) A careful degrease using cellulose thinners - this melts the top surface of the tube so only a light wipe with a clean cloth.. and defiantly don’t rub..
3) I masked off the bits I did not want to paint..
4) Dilute the paint with the cellulose thinners 6:1 paint to thinners
5) Cut in the edges with a brush
6) Roller paint the main areas with a foam radiator roller… and do not go over the area … working the paint too much gives a very poor finish.. try and work on getting the paint on in one rill and not rilling back over it.

I have not done this myself but intend to do it on one of our boats as the tubes are looking very worn and cannot afford to have them re-tubed. Not overly sure how this would all work in a hotter climate or for changing the colour of the tubes but I hope i've helped at least a little bit

[Sam G]

Oh also remember to get the right paint for your tubes, felxithane is specifically for hypalon tubes, they do another called super flex which is for PVC tubes. If you are unsure what your tube material is polymarine have a good document on their website that helps you distinguish what your tubes are made off

[m22nly]

I have 4 tins of polymarine hypalon paint in black @ £35.00 a tin if interested all new and unopened


Sent from my iPad using RIB Net

[Patch]

Check out the FB page for a company called RIB Rescue in Australia. They paint and refurb RIB tubes all the time and could give you the best information.

[ShinyShoe]

I suspect part of the issue is people paint to cover up knackered tubes. I suspect painting good tubes is easier and more effective.

[Sam G]

The other thing to note is that painting is not a permanent solution and requires you to repaint the tubes every few seasons depending on wear and tear

[Rodan]

Thanks for the replies and info - it does seem a minority have done it. These tubes could probably be cleaned up but need a change of colour so perhaps polymarine would be the answer.

Black would be nice but in 36 degress i think ill advised!

Cheers