Painting PVC Inflatable Dinghy

[Geoff E]

Hi All. I've got a PVC 10 ft inflatable dinghy that is only a few years old but is showing brown sticky topsides in places. Last year I cleaned it with different PVC cleaners and then applied PVC Dinghy UV protectant all over the topsides. Looked great for the rest of the year but when I uncovered my dinghy from the forward deck this year and put it back in the davits, it showed that brown sticky topsides again. I've seen different advertisements for PVC dinghy paints but most of them come from the UK and shipping paint from UK is a challenge. What has anyone done here in regards to painting their dinghy with flexible PVC paints and what was the outcome after a couple years. Thanks for all replies.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Ten years might be a world’s record for the lifetime of a PVC inflatable. Not sure painting it would be worth the effort or expense but interested in others’ experience.

 

[Geoff E]

Thanks - we live the Pacific Northwest so climate is not quite so hard on the PVC but still takes its toll over time.

 

[sailcapt340]

We’ve had 3 PVC Dinghies. The reason being each were under warranty and were replaced. That whole process gave us 7 years worth of PVC dinghies. But sadly they all developed the brown sticky spots in various areas as yours is doing.
I have tried all the products to clean them but they don’t touch the “fungus” that developed. Mercury was the first company to coin the phrase “fungus” to me with their PVC dinghies.
I‘m sorry to say once it starts, it is in the fabric and will spread.

As a word of caution…..be cautious with painting them. They tend to bleed and stain everything when you sit on the pontoons. Or brush or lean against them during the ride. I have 2 pairs of shorts and a pair of pants to prove it.
My advice, stay away from painting your dinghy topsides.
You’ll never hear the end of it if wives, friends or family ruin their best pair of new white whatever. Don’t ask!

I‘ve since gone to an Achilles Hypalon and never looked back. There are other fabrics out there, Orca comes to mind but I have no experience with them or know of anyone that does.
They are just as expensive as Hypalon within dollars of each other.

I can say though DOW 303 does work repelling UV rays better than most others. It’s what I use, but you have to be religious with using it during the summer season.

I hope this helps you in some way, but really rethink the topside painting. Your wardrobe will thank you.

 

[thinwater]

Paint means the dinghy fabric, PVC or otherwise, will not see the sun or UV and will thus last MUCH longer.
Protectants are wax, and I've seen no evidence (link to it if you find it) that they material reduce UV exposure. Same with gel coat. They also don't last long, generally wearing off within a few months. What they can do is reduce chemical oxidation by sealing pores. This is well proven on tires, which contain wax in the formulation for this reason (you can also Google that).

I've used MDR Amazon paint for several inflatables, and also for a UV strip on an old sail as an expereiment. It does very well, without chipping, for about 5 years. in the Mid-Atlantic. After that, it does not chip, but it will wear thin and deserves recoating. Chose a very light color; dark collors, even gray, cause the inflatable to get hot and pressurize in the sun while hanging on davits. If you vent it, then it gets floppy as soon as you put it in the water and it cools. The closer to white the better.

Practical Sailor Inflatable Paint Test

 

[thinwater]

And PVC dinghies are a waste. Buy Hypalon. Even my inflatable kayak (Walker Bay) is Hypalon.

 

[MikeHoncho]

Build chaps for it