cleaning an inflatable dinghy

[Mike4116]

It occurs to me that I haven't seen a post dealing with cleaning the hypalon or PVC inflatables. My dinghy floats in front of the boat in my slip most of the summer except for my summer cruise. The river water is simply nasty and stains the PVC to no end. Hypalon dinks don't fair any better so, how to clean? I tried scouring power and a stiff brush and it did OK but didn't get all the stains out. Then I tried a combo of scouring powder and Tilex cleaner and that worked pretty good but still left a bit of water line mark.Finally I used simply Bar Keepers Friend and the dirt and stains disappeared. I'd like to take credit for it being an original idea but another boating friend showed me the stuff and how well it works.*!So, if your dinghy is befouled and you're tired of the elbow grease it takes to clean it like new I recommend Bar Keepers Friend. ;D

 

[Ed Wolfe]

cleaning inflatables

In the northeast ,the biggest problem is marine growth . This fall I spent a lot of time around the waterfront and noticed several sailors struggling with marine growth. I suggested the use of a plastic ice scraper to remove the majority of growth. It worked great ,just don't use a scraper with a metal insert as it could cut the PVC. As to cleaning the stains I would be careful as to what chemical to use ,as it could react with the PVC . Also many sailors turn the inflatable over when not in use ,without the motor of course .The reason , when you go to use it it is easy to clean the topsides as you can sit in the boat and wipe it down .

 

[Paul Akers]

I Paint Mine...

...on the bottom and basically do a light scraping at the end of the season and repaint it with ablative bottom paint in the spring. It's a fiberglass hard bottom. The topsides of PVC will sunburn to a brown color if left uncovered in the sun (it "sunburns"). But to clean/wax it, I use a general purpose cleaner and an "inflatable" wax on the PVC. I did the same when I had an AVON made of hypalon, but never covered it. The custom cover that I bought for the PVC from the mfg'r cost about $150 2 years ago. My dinghy is slightly sunburned, but the Barkeeper's wax may be worth it - how much?

 

[Ken Prichard]

Cleaner

My inflatable also sits in the water for long periods and developes a " biology experiment" on the bottom. The stuff we use is "CRC Marine Inflatable Boat Cleaner" made by CRC Canada Inc. We spray this on,wait a few minutes, and then pressure wash and the boat looks like new. Don't get too aggressive with the pressure washer.

 

[Buck2796]

Bar Keepers Friend

(which contains oxalic acid) also works great to remove rust spots from and polish your stainless steel (stanchions, etc. etc.), and as a cleaner for fiberglass. It's good stuff and for about $2.00 a can it's way cheaper than all the cleaning products sold at the boat stores.

 

[Mike B]

Bar keepers friend

Where do you find it?

 

[mpaxman]

What about 'diesel butt' ?

We have ugly smoke stains on the transom (fibreglass). I have tried to scrub them off but to no avail, even using some kind of boat soap. Obviously need some better kind of cleaner. Sounds like a couple of the suggestions here might do the trick. What do you all reccomend?

 

[Capt. Kermie]

Aurora Marine

Aurora Marine carries a complete line of products for the inflatable including a semi anti-fouling coating and a UV protectant coating. I have never been able to get the worst stains out but I still like the Aurora products especially the semi anti-fouling and UV protectant. One should allways use a UV protectant on PVC, even though we have short seasons here in the PNW I use it every year, as I believe it will provide many more years of use - more longevity. Northern climes do not require hypalon so PVC is more popular. The anti-fouling is not as great as bottom paint, but on a soft air floor it makes cleaning much easier.

 

[Buck2796]

Bar Keepers Friend

can be purchased in most grocery stores. It'll be with other powder cleansers like Comet, etc. If you don't see it, ask.Also, Google it... you can buy it off their web site, but unless you buy a whole case it's usually less expensive in the grocery store.And, Yes, Mpaxman, it will remove diesel exhaust stains, very nicely.TRY IT... What do you have to loose? ? .. $2.00 ? ?  If you do, you'll become a believer, just like everyone else who uses it to clean their boat.

 

[RichH]

Bartenders Friend .....

Is nothing more than standard cleanser with oxalic acid added. There are competetive products: Zud, etc. Or you can simply go to a paint store or hardware store and buy oxalic crystals at 1/5th the price and add it to your soap/cleanser .... or best, simply dissolve in hot water and apply direct after you use soap/detergent. Oxalic beaches all those tannin 'moustache' and iron stains (from gelcoat too). To prevent crud adhering I use "303 UV Protector' .... protects both hypalon and/or PVC from UV degradation plus lessens the ability of crud, etc. to adhere to the inflatable. ;-)

 

[Mike B]

No picture to post

Sorry I couldn't find the picture to post.

 

[Buck2796]

Hummmm,

"buy oxalic crystals at 1/5th the price and add it to your soap/cleanser .."By the time you buy the gas to go buy the oxalic acid crystals (at 1/5th the price of ?) and then add them to whatever, I'm guessing you will have just about doubled what it cost to just buy the Bar Keepers Friend to start with.Also, many of the other cleansers are more abrasive than BKF and probable not very good for gelcoat, etc..I have tried Zud and others and nothing seems to polish stainless steel like BKF.But, to each his own..

 

[Dave Groshong]

Barkeeper's friend

Soft scrub with bleach. Whatever you use, rinse really well and don't go without 303 protectant, it's super stuff, like Armor All with UV protection.http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=761Dave GroshongCustomer ServiceSailboatOwners.com