Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

[sleddude]

I have a 1997 Avon RIB, it is around 11 feet, and I am pretty sure it is a Hypalon boat. It has painted on bow numbers from the previous owner and I would like to clean them off with a solvent, but not sure what to use. I don't want to degrade the material.

some people tell me mineral spirits, MEK, turpentine, etc. However, none of them know what they are talking about when it comes to RIBS. All of these chemicals scare me.

Any ideas?

 

[canada_bob]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

Are you sure the numbers are painted on, and not transfers ?

 

[sleddude]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

definitely painted on with some type of paint with a rubber consistency.

 

[canada_bob]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

Hmmmm, I've managed to peel transfers off just by pouring boiling water on them, that's done the trick for me. As for paint, A buddy of mine in the UK used X-TEX a non solvent/water based paint remover, not sure if you can get that brand over here, but I guess there will be an equivalent ?

If you find a water based {rather than solvent based} paint remover it should be safe to use on Hypalon, but always best to patch test.

You're right to be concerned about MEK, never mind what it might do to a RIB, it's likely to do you more harm as it's highly toxic stuff.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

I have a 1997 Avon RIB, it is around 11 feet, and I am pretty sure it is a Hypalon boat. It has painted on bow numbers from the previous owner and I would like to clean them off with a solvent, but not sure what to use. I don't want to degrade the material.

some people tell me mineral spirits, MEK, turpentine, etc. However, none of them know what they are talking about when it comes to RIBS. All of these chemicals scare me.

Any ideas?

You could try acetone, Tip-Top R4 fabric cleaner if available, or sand away with thin metal sand paper and lots of water.

Happy Boating

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

Might be easier to paint over them in a color matching the dink, and then paint your numbers on.

 

[Chris in Indiana]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

I used MEK once, but have always used Toluene ever since since I had to buy a whole gallon to do a patch once. Both are hard to find noxious chemicals, I think I had to go to a specialty shop that only sells house paints to professionals. I only use this stuff outside, and rub carefully to not pull dye out of the hypalon. Goggles and 100% neoprene gloves are a MUST as either chemical will dissolve latex, pvc or anything else. Clearly it's a pain, and not cheap, but I've had excellent luck removing old glue, stains, paint and sharpie marker letters.

One more comment, be certain to soap up the boat and get the residue off when you use any solvent on Hypalon.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

could buy a hunk of hypalon, cut the size you want - paint the new numbers on it and glue it over the old.

or hunk of PVC....

the old AVON name plates were pvc- used 3M 5200 adhesive to re-stick those on mine.

 

[Chris in Indiana]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

Howard
How well did the 3M 5200 work out? Has it lasted a long time? Sound like an alternative to the Shore adhesive I typically use. Shore works great but the prep work is a pain and it's contact cement so you have to get it right the first time.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Avon Hypalon - need to remove painted bow numbers

worked fine. been on there 3 or 4 years now. no sign of them wanting to come off again