The Dingy that came with the boat... producing white film

[solecollector]

Hello all!

I just purchased a used boat - the boat itself is in amazing condition - but the dingy - the one item they rarely used - has been beat by the sun for 6 years and it has this white substance that comes off of it. So when we go for a little spin - we are reminded the rest of the day that we sat on the dingy....

Any help? Maybe a MDR product?_steve

[colemj]

Yes, that is sun damage and you will never get rid of it. At least I have never found a solution.

You could paint it with the MDR-type inflatable paint. I have done this with two dinghies. However, it is a short term solution. That paint only looks good for a couple of months, looks pretty bad after a year and starts chalking itself after 2 years.

Your best option is to make canvas chaps for it. Sailrite has instructions for that on their website. If you are good with sewing and get inexpensive fabric, this may be worth it. If you need to pay someone, the costs might be a significant fraction of a new dinghy.

Mark

[solecollector]

Well Mark I have to say I don't like your answer....! I was hoping for the magic bullet - but had a feeling that I was hosed. The little logo on the bow of the dingy is even coming off due to sun damage. It is a Caribe (9' hard bottom).

Do you think it will be more prone to little leaks often? Even with the covers on it?

Thanks for you input - much appreciated!

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by solecollector

Well Mark I have to say I don't like your answer....! I was hoping for the magic bullet - but had a feeling that I was hosed. The little logo on the bow of the dingy is even coming off due to sun damage. It is a Caribe (9' hard bottom).

Do you think it will be more prone to little leaks often? Even with the covers on it?

Thanks for you input - much appreciated!

No, it is a hypalon dinghy soof the good type. Covers will take care of the problem.

[zeehag]

for around 200 usd you too can have chaps made for your pontoons. caribe used to make some, but ceased production a while ago, i was advised with my last caribe purchase....is a good dink, and is hypalon. protect the pontoons so it will last longer.

[sailorboy1]

have you tried just cleaning it yet?

[zeehag]

try joy soap and a 3m green pad......or even sea/lake/river water or hose water and a 3m pad--stuff is called oxidation.

[colemj]

As for cleaning, look up which solvent is recommended for wiping hypalon (I forget). Soap won't help much. That will be your best bet, but will also only be a very short term solution (experience speaking here).

If the dinghy is in otherwise great shape, chaps are your best option.

Mark

[s/v Jedi]

I can confirm that it cleans very good with Cif. It will feel like new hypalon after that.

[colemj]

I don't know what Cif is, but if the chalking is extensive UV damage, the hypalon itself has lost its UV protection deep through it. While this doesn't make much weaker or leak-prone, it will never stop chalking more than a shortish time.

Cleaning it will definitely remove the surface chalk for a while, but chaps are the surest cure.

Mark

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by colemj

I don't know what Cif is, but if the chalking is extensive UV damage, the hypalon itself has lost its UV protection deep through it. While this doesn't make much weaker or leak-prone, it will never stop chalking more than a shortish time.

Cleaning it will definitely remove the surface chalk for a while, but chaps are the surest cure.

Mark

Good old Dutch product (Unilever). It's called Jif in some countries where that doesn't mean peanut butter it is an abrasive so you get rid of the deteriorated material, exposing fresh material, at the cost of losing some material of-course.