inflatable dingy

[DWT]

I have a 3 year old CARIBE inflatable that gets used once a year. After every uses it is cleaned up, then stored up on the ceiling of my garage.

I whiped it down with a spay just for inflatables from West Marine and the boat, well it looks still band new. But this year that product was no longer available and the salesman said he used a product called 303. Look like a good product from what I read, and it is not cheap, but.......

Some where I read not to use a silicone product on the inflatable because you could never get a patch to adhear to it. The 303 bottle does NOT tell me what is in it, does anyone know what this stuff is?

Will it give me a problem with patching ?

Would you use it on your inflatable?

What do you use 303 for?

[ajman]

Yes, 303 Protectant is good stuff and safe for your Hypalon Caribe. I use it on my Achilles.
303 Products Inc.: 303 Aerospace Protectant

Just to make yourself feel better you can go to Caribe customer service and bounce it off them.
Caribe Inflatables USA, Inc.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by DWT

... Some where I read not to use a silicone product on the inflatable because you could never get a patch to adhear to it. The 303 bottle does NOT tell me what is in it, does anyone know what this stuff is? ...

According to the 303 Products tech tips page:
What You Need to Know About Outdoor Fabrics
At:
303 Products Inc.: What You Need to Know About Outdoor Fabrics

"... WARNING: Silicone "water repellent" products are not recommended. These products are not compatible with the outdoor fabric's factory finish and actually promote staining. Water "sealants" for wood and masonry also are not recommended..."

This strongly implies that “303" contains no silicone.

According to the MSDS for 303 AEROSPACE PROTECTANT:

The COMPOSITION & INGREDIENTS are a Trade Secret.

"... Repels dust, soiling & staining. Protects against UV and ozone deterioration. Use on vinyl & leather interiors, vinyl convertible tops, boats seats, clear vinyl & Lexan windows, spa & pool covers, inflatable boats, canoes, kayaks, car bras, tonneau covers, door and trunk seals, tires, fenders flares, bumpers, trim, lenses, motorcycles, bicycles, ATV́s, personal watercraft, snow mobiles, wetsuits, diving equipment, latex rubber, plastic furniture. Not for textiles, unfinished leathers or floors..."

Goto: http://www.303products.com/techinfo/...PROT-REV-1.pdf

[rtbates]

I don't know about the inflatable, but I use 303 on everything. Just note that there are very different version of 303, depending on the item to be protected. There is 303 for fabric(Sunbrella), 303 for plastic, rubber, vinyl. Don't get the wrong one. It's the best UV protectorant that I've ever used. I clean and treat all my sunbrella twice a year and the plastic dodger windows every time they get dirty. After 5 years the dodger's plastic windows look like new. And are a supple as new.