Tubes worn / sun damaged

AdamB1 · 25 July 2021, 21:52

Hi, I’m looking for some advice on tube condition and repair.

Where the tubes have been exposed to the sun, there are areas of damage or wear. It looks like the material has lost its smooth top coating and is worn down to a kind of gauze layer. I have tried cleaning the tubes with August Race Rib Tube Cleaner but removing the dirt just exposed the damage more so I stopped.

This is a 2011 Brig Falcon which I believe means the material is Hypalon.

There are no leaks, just cosmetic.

What are my options? Patching, some kind of treatment, or just leave it?
Could cleaning it make it worse?
Thank you

beamishken · 25 July 2021, 22:09

I'd say you have two options, retube or overclad the bad areas with wear patches.
Once the top surface has gone down to the woven fabric underneath like that you can't do much with it

Ribstore · 26 July 2021, 17:07

The tubes look PVC from the photo. I would recommend covering this area with PVC material although getting a good stick will be more challenging as there's little fabric there to bond to.

Sam

Limecc · 26 July 2021, 18:58

Could always use paint, not the whole tube, just a square where a wear patch would go, perhaps even with a logo or something?

AdamB1 · 28 July 2021, 22:34

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Symmetrical patching on both sides might not look too bad. If I can match the colour, some paint might be worth a try first, though I think it would be hard to get a good finish.

Adam

beamishken · 28 July 2021, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamB1

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Symmetrical patching on both sides might not look too bad. If I can match the colour, some paint might be worth a try first, though I think it would be hard to get a good finish.

Adam

Painting is the last resort before a retube, save the thought of paint as an if all else fails. Wear patches in a contrast colour often look better than a close but not quite right match

Ribstore · 29 July 2021, 08:41

I agree with beamishken. Contrast colour patches will look much better than paint. Did you know you can get weargrip/antislip patches for PVC? ...selfless plug alert...I stock light grey, mid grey and black.

fastasfox · 29 July 2021, 20:41

Rubber wear patches all the way.