what do you use to protect inflatable from sun ?

[xxhat]

I carry my inflatable dinghy on the deck half inflated.


I wonder what you are using to protect it from the sun ?


I have a UV cover over the dinghy but it gets hot from the sun and I worry
about the heat damaging the seam glue.


Thanks


jim

[S/V Illusion]

Use a white ventilated cover

[Hasbeen]

I carried a Beaufort inflatable for 6 years, always inflated, upside down on the foredeck when sailing in the high tropics. I carried it for another few years on the Oz Great barrier reef.


I can't remember what it was called, but there is a recommended paint for the material. I painted mine all over in white. This protected it on deck or afloat, & kept the tubes cool enough to sit on in swimming gear. From memory it required painting every 9 months or so.

[mikedefieslife]

I tried a pvc dinghy paint. The paint covers well but gets so soft in the sun that you can easily mark it with rope let alone a fingernail. Doesn’t seem to rub off on clothes though.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

I tried a pvc dinghy paint. The paint covers well but gets so soft in the sun that you can easily mark it with rope let alone a fingernail. Doesn’t seem to rub off on clothes though.

Which brand?

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Which brand?

This one.

https://www.accastillage-diffusion.c...-b26763-1.html

Perhaps it needs some kind of finishing product over the top of it. I tried car wax, and silicone spray. Didn't really change anything.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

This one.

https://www.accastillage-diffusion.c...-b26763-1.html

Perhaps it needs some kind of finishing product over the top of it. I tried car wax, and silicone spray. Didn't really change anything.

Yes, that will stay somewhat soft, like it says on the can. No, putting wax or silicone on it will only make it worse.


You can't put a hard paint on an elastomer, like an inflatable, because it WILL crack. This is obvious.


I've used paint (MDR) and been satisfied. It lasted ~ 5 years.