sticky rib

[gimmesunshine]

i've got a valiant d250 rib and have found on one side only its got really sticky on the rubbing strake only, anyone know what it is and what will get the substance off. its on snap davits and the residue is on the sun exposed side. spoke to valiant at sibs but they werent interested at all and polyform fenders recon'd even if do clean it off it will come straight back..
anyone suggest a cleaner or other advice

 

[ralf2]

not interested!!thats enough for me ,and i was just about to contact valiant in ireland re a purchase thanx
now wheres that zodiac brochure??? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RIN]

I have that problem with my Valiant rib as well. The yellow rubbing strake has gone really tacky. So if anyone has a suggestion it would be most welcome..... Could this be a localised Poole problem?

 

[Blackfeather]

That's spooky. Got the same problem here but ours is a Wetline.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Where's the Zodiac brochure?

Don't be too hasty, they also suffer from the same problem!!

 

[gimmesunshine]

ive heard once the sun has done so much, it triggers a reaction in the plastic and it keeps coming,
might try some acetone...gently

 

[RIN]

Well, let us know how you get on!

 

[markdj]

Stay away from PVC dinghies/ribs. The PVC reacts to the UV light, its a very well known problem but I'm not at all surprised they brushed you off.

It is possible that some manufacturers are using "uv stabilized" pvc but whether this works or not, I don't know. That could be another issue with all this PVC teak decking too but I haven't heard of anything similar.

Look for dinghies/ribs made of hypalon which have a long guarantee, eg. Avon only use hypalon and have a 10 yr warranty on the material and 5yr on the seams - no other manufacturer gives this afaik. Ribeye use hypalon on their larger ribs but use hypatex on their small dinghies with a 5yr and 2 yr guarantee respectively. Zodiac have a 5yr warranty and use duotex.

The material used on inflatables is a bit of a minefield but if you go by the guarantee, (can't find it on the valiant website) that will help.

 

[DAKA]

Wetline and Valiant are one and the same.

I had a Valiant for years and still have a wetine although not in regular use.

Both great boats.

The yellow gum can be cleaned off effortlessly with

Fairy Power spray (from almost any corner shop to Asda)green trigger bottle.

Spray on, leave 20 mins, rub over with a sponge or pan scourer and rinse off to look like new.

during the hot 2 weeks of summer you can apply 50 factor suncream and top with talc.

When I had Volvos it was the only stuff I found that would clean off a seasons soot, again brought up like new.

It is marketed as BBQ cleaner

 

[Wiggo]

Agree with Fairy Power Spray - it's amazing. Watch out using too much as it rots your skin...

 

[Bandit]

I use Polymarine Inflatable boat cleaner to get rid of soot and grime it works to a point on sticky.

I have used Blakes de greasing to remove sticky on a Bombard dingy which works to a point but it is a bit drastic and damages the material in the long run.

See if you an turn your dingy over or cover it to keep the sun off I do this with fenders after 4 or 5 years to double their life and it works or they go sticky too.

Try Polymarine Inf Boat Cleaner first.

Valiant do PVC and Hypalon, Hypalon last longer but cost considerably more.

keep a dinghy inside during the winter or out of the sunshine will extend its life considerably or buy a PVC sell them second hand after 5 or 6 years for half price and buy a new one.

I use Quicksilver built like a brick outhouse.