How to Clean Bottom of Hypalon RIB Dinghy

[kkreeger]

So even though I lift the dinghy every night we still have gotten a little bit of slime on the bottom fiberglass and tubes. Is there any special care that should be taken cleaning the hypalon (e.g. any chemicals that shouldn't be used?)

-Kevin

[Hudson Force]

I do not have any information according to manufacturer's recommendations, but we have been using "Simple Green" with success for many years.

[Sandero]

I use a stiff bristle brush, Soft Scrub and some times a scraper to get barnacles off. I think if you are prepared to scrub often you can skip the bottom paint. But this depends on the waters you sail in

[donradcliffe]

Spread on a little dilute oxalic acid with a sponge, wait a few minutes, then wipe and rinse.

[gbanker]

We keep a couple of these handy and when returning from snorkeling and tying off the dinghy a quick scrub gets the bottom cleaned.

3M Scrubber at West Marine

[gjordan]

I cruised for many years and used to flip my inflatable over on the beach when the weeds got to thick and NUKE them with bleach and a 3M abrasive pad. Some times I would use a plastic scraper to get the hard stuff off.. There is no science about this, just do it. I had the same Avon for 5 years, and an Achillies for a long time and never saw damage from straight bleach. Again, just my opinion.____Grant.

[ErikFinn]

I have blisters on the outer outside layer where there has been antifoul-painted by the previous owner. The blisters have separated the top layer from the layer below. Therefore I don't recommend using antifoul on the Hypalon.

[mrohr]

See:gjordan post #6 above ,exactly my approach and experience.

[chuckr]

we discovered this by accident - while in antigua we needed to clean dinks bottom before deflating and storing for the atlantic crossing -- took it to shore and started the usual scrapping and somehow while cleaning the plastic scrapper i got sand on it and found that i could take a hand full of sand and use it and boy did it get it clean and NO chemicals -- barnacles had to use the plastic scrapper - but the sand did the job - and it is cheap and plentiful

just our thougts and what worked for us
chuck patty and svsoulmates
in angra azores for st john festival

[jeremiason]

We use STARBRIGHT Rust and Stain Remover... No scrubbing, just spray let sit and then scrub with a soft brush. I then flush with water. The hypalon and hull look new after cleaning.

This stuff has oxalic acid and works great on just about anything with a stain or rust.

[zeehag]

elbow grease and activity work just fine and dandy.
i used to turn mine upside down on beach...now i dont have one of those, but i do that with my walker bay ..and kayaks..anything in water needs cleaning regularly.
i use plastic scraper and brush, just like when i had a rib--is same material...isnt gonna do anything different--i just dont have the hypalon...

[Hudson Force]

Sand is a nice abrasive, but I'm careful not to leave any sand between my hypalon and my hard bottom. I rinse it well out of the seam. It can abrade all the way through the hypalon if you leave it inside your dinghy!

[MarkJ]

Put bleach in a spray bottle.
Go to beach and turn Lil Dink upside down
Chat to girls till her bum is dry.
Squirt on bleach
Wait till it goes white.
Do NOT scrape etc unless theres barnacles.
Turn her back over,
Drive back to boat at high speed... This removes all the bleached growth.

Mark

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Spread on a little dilute oxalic acid with a sponge, wait a few minutes, then wipe and rinse.

Originally Posted by jeremiason

We use STARBRIGHT Rust and Stain Remover... No scrubbing, just spray let sit and then scrub with a soft brush. I then flush with water. The hypalon and hull look new after cleaning.

This stuff has oxalic acid and works great on just about anything with a stain or rust.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Put bleach in a spray bottle.
Go to beach and turn Lil Dink upside down
Chat to girls till her bum is dry.
Squirt on bleach
Wait till it goes white.
Do NOT scrape etc unless theres barnacles.
Turn her back over,
Drive back to boat at high speed... This removes all the bleached growth.

Mark

Depends on what is on the bottom, if it is just slime I agree with Mark. If barnacles, anything with oxalitic acid (Mary Kate off & on) whatever stuff jere mentioned or just plain old oxalitic acid front the hardware store just melts the little buggers off and does not seem to hurt the fiberglass of halypon.

Just make sure to wear gloves, and don't get it in your eyes!