Zodiac inflatable material

[SvenglishTommy]

i have an old (c1997) Zodiac 240 Cadet with the slatted floor which I need to do some repairs on. To get the right glue I need to identify the fabric, apparently either PVC or hypalon. Anyone got any ideas what fabric my Zodiac is, or how I could find out?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Tranona]

Almost certainly Hypalon. Go onto the Polymarine site and they have a chart which identifies material by model.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Almost certainly Hypalon. Go onto the Polymarine site and they have a chart which identifies material by model.

I have a Zodiac which is about the same age. That is pvc, not hypalon.

 

[vyv_cox]

The Polymarine site says that except in certain special or very old cases, the material of construction of Zodiacs is pvc. Mine certainly was, although it was rather older than yours, about 1989.

 

[Tranona]

Seems I was wrong. I am more familiar with the bigger Zodiacs which were Hypalon. I did the factory course on repairing them in 1980 and it was all Hypalon except the Zeds which were just coming in (and going out almost as quickly as they came).

Still have my authorised repair certificate somewhere, not that I have done much since then!

 

[VicS]

In any case the Polymarine website describes a couple of simple tests to confirm the material type.

Also info on carrying out repairs http://polymarineshop.com/about/

 

[SvenglishTommy]

Thanks guys, PVC it is.

 

[alan]

When using the glue to make the repair, the instructions usually say put two coats of glue on each of the part at an interval of X minutes; then heat the glue and press the two parts together.
From experience I have found that heating the glue with a proper heat gun until it is bubbling (the glue that is) and then pressing the parts together works a treat; using a hair dryer to heat the glue does not usually get the glue hot enough. Also perform the repair in a warm environment; heat your garage to around 15C.

Alan.