Restore dinghy - sun spots

[babybri88]

Hello everyone!

I am a new boat owner of a year and have been leaving my dinghy out in the sun, unprotected. I have noticed that many little grey spots all over the tubes (Hypalon) have appeared.

Does anyone know what these are? Are they spots from oxidation? I tried to remove them with Inflatable boat cleaner but it did absolutely nothing.

Any advice or information would be extremely appreciated! I attached a picture, although it is dark you can see some of the grey spots I am talking about. I can post another photo in the morning if it would help.

Thank you so much for any advice!

-briana

[JPA Cate]

If you're sure it's hypalon, try cleaning it with a little acetone on a rag, and just scrub lightly. Expect to remove a little oxidized hypalon. You can make or buy dinghy chaps in a dark Sunbrella color, which will protect the hypalon. However, they also trap dirt, and need hosing off from time to time. Some folks are concerned with them also attracting spiders, but that has not been our experience with ours. I wrote about our building ours in the Sewing Group under the Community button.

Ann