Cleaning a Zodiac
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Zodiak
I assume this is made of PVC. If so I recommend you get a cover and keep it covered when not in use. I had a Zodiak that lasted one year in SW Florida and then came unglued. I was told iby the Zodiak people t was not a fixable situation so junked it. Sunlight and PVc do not like each other. In sunny Fla most have Hypalon.
I assume this is made of PVC. If so I recommend you get a cover and keep it covered when not in use. I had a Zodiak that lasted one year in SW Florida and then came unglued. I was told iby the Zodiak people t was not a fixable situation so junked it. Sunlight and PVc do not like each other. In sunny Fla most have Hypalon.
I am assuming that it is a new boat. DO NOT USE ANY PETROLIEUM BASED PRODUCTS! AND NEVER USE ARMOR ALL. Check the manufacturer's recommendation for cleaning. For protection, at the very least, you should use a UV inhibiter. Try 303 applied about once a month. There was a very nice product made by Dolphanite (out of business) that was an inflatable protectant/conditioner containing UV inhibiters. If you could find it anywhere snatch it up; and let me know so I can get some.
If it is an old boat, as mine was, you may need to get more aggressive with the cleaning. DO NOT USE ANY PETROLIEUM BASED PRODUCTS! AND NEVER USE ARMOR ALL! I tried many cleaners progressing from least to more aggressive. I found a concentrated product called Super Clean available at Walmart that did a tremendous job. However, I still needed to use something more aggressive on some areas - rub strake in particular. After consulting with the manufacturer, Brig, careful use of MEK was suggested and worked very well.
If it is an old boat, as mine was, you may need to get more aggressive with the cleaning. DO NOT USE ANY PETROLIEUM BASED PRODUCTS! AND NEVER USE ARMOR ALL! I tried many cleaners progressing from least to more aggressive. I found a concentrated product called Super Clean available at Walmart that did a tremendous job. However, I still needed to use something more aggressive on some areas - rub strake in particular. After consulting with the manufacturer, Brig, careful use of MEK was suggested and worked very well.
If it's an air floor, try using outdoor carpeting on the sole. I learned this trick just by a happy coincidence the first day we were out in our new dinghy. We'd chugged over to a restaurant on the water and met a liveaboard cruiser who had a similar if not identical dinghy, and he showed us that trick. We cut it carefully so it gets "trapped" on the port and starboard sides under the tubes when inflated, and we cut holes in it for the valves. Works great. We chose a light/medium blue color so it doesn't show the dirt/sand and we can remove it to shake it out or take it home to clean.
I have found that "Mean Green" will do an excellent job. It is concentrated, so you can dilute it anywhere from 2:1 to 10:1 to use for cleaning. I also use 303 Protectant after it is cleaned, to protect the surface. Mine is a Hypalon Achilles Dinghy.
The Zodiacs are PVC, good material and lighter than hypalon. Any good household cleaner diluted will do. I use Spic'n'Span. The secret is a brush. Bristles allow you to get down into the surface dimples. It usually takes me two rounds of scrubbing to get the job done. For bad stains you can use acetone, but acetone removes all protectants and coatings down to the vinyl, so you need to recoat with 303 Protectant.
My experience with PVC has been very poor. Very difficult to repair (especially seams), not tolerant to sunlight and not a lot cheaper considering the life span if you use it all the time.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/inflatables.htm
Is that a new model? The fast roller used to be PVC,maybe a product of the Avon merger? Does it have the inflatable floor and did they do that in hypalon?
I have a Zodiac 310 with the plywood floor. The diagram for the boat shows the floor being completely flat. On my boat, the forward panels don't lie completely flat; instead are raised up a little, which seems to match the forward part of the boat and the inflatable keel. For those with the plywood floor version, is this the same on your boat, or if you can get the forward section to lie flat relative to the after panels, how do you achieve the flat positioning? (Sorry, don't mean to divert the thread from cleaning -- thusfar, I have used Ivory Liquid dish washing detergent without any adverse effects.)
Dinghy maintainance / 303 Protectant
Searching the archives for a product to use on my Zodiac 310 PVC inflatable after cleaning. I love Stu's outdoor rug suggestion. It seems like 303 Protectant is the way to go. How far will a 16oz spray bottle go? Is it enough for a 10' dinghy?
I am also planning on painting the underside with Pettit inflatable bottom paint. My question is for anyone who's used this paint. The can says it "controls buildup through controlled erosion" (ablative?). I frequently stow the dinghy on my bow and was wondering if this paint comes off on your hands like ablative bottom paint does?
Searching the archives for a product to use on my Zodiac 310 PVC inflatable after cleaning. I love Stu's outdoor rug suggestion. It seems like 303 Protectant is the way to go. How far will a 16oz spray bottle go? Is it enough for a 10' dinghy?
I am also planning on painting the underside with Pettit inflatable bottom paint. My question is for anyone who's used this paint. The can says it "controls buildup through controlled erosion" (ablative?). I frequently stow the dinghy on my bow and was wondering if this paint comes off on your hands like ablative bottom paint does?
No. Sailrite sells 303 by the gallon and you will find plenty of uses, fenders, vinyl windows, zippers, etc. Plan on putting 3 coats on your dink initially, then clean and recoat every season. My 8 y.o. Zodiac 3.10 looks like new, and it hangs, uncovered, on davits in the sun all season long. You need MEK to clean it before patching.
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