Cleaning Inflatable

[CDR Smith]

Will turpentine damage the fabric on a PVC or Hypalon inflatable? Seems to do a really good job of removing black scuffs, etc, but I don't want to do something stupid.

[john61ct]

Must be kidding right?

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...rs_5589-1.html

[a64pilot]

Not much that I’m aware of will hurt Hypalon, except for some pretty strong things like maybe acetone, things I wouldn’t use to clean with.
PVC may be a different animal, I’d try testing a spot first, rub the cleaner around looking to see if it gets sticky or softens or similar.
I’d stay away from solvents, turpentine is unusual, old fashioned cleaner, haven’t been around any myself.
I’d try to determine if it’s PVC or Hypalon first and maybe start with water based cleaners, maybe 409?
I’ve tried one dinghy cleaner on my old dinghy, whatever it was it was overpriced and worthless.

[cherylchecheryl]

Star Brite has an inflatable boat cleaner that I used that worked very well. NRS also makes one.

There is also a 303 Aerospace Protectant that is good for UV ray protection (after you clean the tubes), although it will initially leave your tubes slippery. So be careful initially that you don't slip. My inflatable also has an aluminium floor, so I sprayed the floor with white spray paint.

I haven't tried this on the boat tubes, but Magic Eraser is very good for many things, so you might want to try that too.

[CDR Smith]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Must be kidding right?

Nope. Not kidding, but thanks for the link anyway. I'm using 303 Multi Surface Cleaner and following it with 303 Protectant, but for the really tough black scuffs, turpentine seems to work where other products don't. Turpentine is not a petroleum product and does not seem to have any effect on the fabric. I follow it with a scrub with the 303 cleaner and rinse well with water.

Just looking for thoughts from people with more experience than I have.

[cherylchecheryl]

Saw this "Black Streak Remover" at Bass Pro tonight. Don't know if it works, but thought I would pass along.

[a64pilot]

The black streak remover is really meant for RV’s that get a black streak from the roof, not sure why, most have a rubber membrane roof and I guess even though it’s white it leave black streaks.

For that type of thing I’ve had good luck with 409 and Simple Green, but be careful with Simple Green around any aluminum that is polished as it’s acidic and will dull polished aluminum, like car wheels for instance.

Magic eraser is very good but slightly abrasive, it works as it’s abrasive.

[CAELESTIS]

Try Softscrub with a white 3M pad

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Must be kidding right?

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...rs_5589-1.html

It's a shame they didn't do a test on everyday household products that might be used rather than 20-30€ cleaners.

Jif/Cif cream cleans PVC dinghies very well.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

It's a shame they didn't do a test on everyday household products that might be used rather than 20-30€ cleaners.

Jif/Cif cream cleans PVC dinghies very well.

Yep we use Cif too. However, there is another cheap product in the UK, not sure if its available elsewhere. TFR (Traffic Film Remover) is what the truckers use to clean their lorries (rigs for those on the big island out West).

It's cheap and strong so I clean the decks and dinghy with it. Use gloves when using it neat on stubborn stains as it removes the oils from your skin.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Maxed...MEWJY1T4C4F8YG

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

snip
409 and Simple Green, but be careful with Simple Green around any aluminum that is polished as it’s acidic and will dull polished aluminum, like car wheels for instance.
snip

When I used Simple Green on my Hypalon dinghy it caused discoloration of the Hypalon fabric anywhere it collected or where the fabric was in contact with a puddle of runoff. It didn't sit very long, either. Eventually the discoloration blended back to match other parts of the dinghy, but it caused some initial concern. I don't really know how much it affected the fabric or if there was any long term damage. But now would not use it on a dinghy.

Before that happened, I had used it for home cleaning of a painted wood toilet seat. It was left to air dry and the paint became etched. I don't know what type of enamel was used but in general I now think Simple Green is very potent and might damage some surfaces.

[Nicholson58]

We grew four inches of grass on the dinghy bottom in Marin, Martinique before we learned to keep it lifted out of water. We inverted the dinghy on deck and attacked it with undiluted bleach. No damage to the hypalon. It took about thirty minutes to clean.

[WSMFP]

Try a Mr. Clean magic eraser for the scuffs.