ribdriver
Member
Is there an easy way to tell if a Zodiac dinghy is Hypalon or PVC? I ahve always assumed Hypalon, but now I actually need to do a repair I thought I should find out!
Thanks
Thanks
Hypalon Vs PVC
- Thread starter ribdriver
- Start date
VicS
Well-known member
Zodiacs can be either .
See the Info tab on the Polymarine website for a list and some simple tests
http://polymarineshop.com/index.php/about/
See the Info tab on the Polymarine website for a list and some simple tests
http://polymarineshop.com/index.php/about/
2Tizwoz
Well-known member
Tuff-Coat
Or from another website http://www.tuff-coat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=2 :-
Hypalon or PVC?
We are often asked how to tell the difference between Hypalon and PVC? For the novice it is not obvious at first. But with a few tips you can become quite good at making the disctinction.
Here is our best attempt to answer this.
Hypalon
- Seams on hypalon boats are glued. They appear much flatter in profile than PVC boats. The seams are simply overlapped and glued. Check around the seams and you will most likely see traces of excess glue that has seeped out. Hypalon boat manufacturers use a 'contact cement' type of glue in their seams. PVCs are not glued.
PVC
- Seams on PVC boats are heat welded. They are 'thicker' in profile than Hypalon boats. Often the seams are covered with a strip of material which makes it difficult to see the heat welded seam. But look around to other areas of the boat and you will most likely identify the heat welded seams. See photo below.
- UV Damage appears brownish and often sticky to the touch
Testing
Find a small area on the boat that is hidden from view and apply a small amount of Acetone or Xylene on a rag and rub the test area.
If area becomes sticky, if the top color rubs or runs, then the material is most likely PVC.
Or from another website http://www.tuff-coat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=2 :-
Hypalon or PVC?
We are often asked how to tell the difference between Hypalon and PVC? For the novice it is not obvious at first. But with a few tips you can become quite good at making the disctinction.
Here is our best attempt to answer this.
Hypalon
- Seams on hypalon boats are glued. They appear much flatter in profile than PVC boats. The seams are simply overlapped and glued. Check around the seams and you will most likely see traces of excess glue that has seeped out. Hypalon boat manufacturers use a 'contact cement' type of glue in their seams. PVCs are not glued.
PVC
- Seams on PVC boats are heat welded. They are 'thicker' in profile than Hypalon boats. Often the seams are covered with a strip of material which makes it difficult to see the heat welded seam. But look around to other areas of the boat and you will most likely identify the heat welded seams. See photo below.
- UV Damage appears brownish and often sticky to the touch
Testing
Find a small area on the boat that is hidden from view and apply a small amount of Acetone or Xylene on a rag and rub the test area.
If area becomes sticky, if the top color rubs or runs, then the material is most likely PVC.
ribdriver
Member
Looks like PVC then...many thanks
stevensuf
New member
Sand the material. Hypalon will matt down and produce a dust. uPVC will just scratch, There will be no difference in colour. also inside the tubes hypalon will be a dark grey if you can look inside a valve.