I have a small, two person inflatable Plastimo boat. I would like to paint in as it is currently WHITE. Can the forum recommend a method and type of paint in order that I will no longer be visible from space every time I take to the water in my little boat.
In reply to Post #1
Polymarine Superflex flexible PVC Paint
Polymarine Superflex flexible PVC Paint
In reply to Post #2
Of course you are right, and thank you, but any recommendations for less than £112/litre?
Of course you are right, and thank you, but any recommendations for less than £112/litre?
In reply to Post #3
Have a look here https://www.plastidip.co.uk, they say you can use it on boats.
Have a look here https://www.plastidip.co.uk, they say you can use it on boats.
In reply to Post #4
Better. Thank you. £56/litre. Spray too.
Better. Thank you. £56/litre. Spray too.
Sharpie pen 
I'll get my coat
I'll get my coat
In reply to Post #6
Update.
I went for the camo olive (one of three colours to make up a dpm) 400ml spray can. It cost around £20 with the postage.
1) The contents of the entire can would not have been sufficient to cover half of the bow. It would have taken four cans to cover the boat.
2) It just rubs off and is entirely useless.
Its stopping white.
Update.
I went for the camo olive (one of three colours to make up a dpm) 400ml spray can. It cost around £20 with the postage.
1) The contents of the entire can would not have been sufficient to cover half of the bow. It would have taken four cans to cover the boat.
2) It just rubs off and is entirely useless.
Its stopping white.
In reply to Post #7
What prep did you do to the boat
What prep did you do to the boat
In reply to Post #8
Not much by the sound of it
Not much by the sound of it
In reply to Post #9
Beware.
Do not be mislead and end up being wrongly advised by members of this forum.
The Plastidip product is inappropriate for spraying on boats.
End.
Beware.
Do not be mislead and end up being wrongly advised by members of this forum.
The Plastidip product is inappropriate for spraying on boats.
End.
In reply to Post #10
Errr their website states that you can paint it on boats.
The member was trying to help, I don't think he misled you, or gave you wrong information.
Errr their website states that you can paint it on boats.
The member was trying to help, I don't think he misled you, or gave you wrong information.
In reply to Post #10
What prep did you do or did you paint it straight on without a primer?
Their website says this "NOTE: Surfaces that are non-absorbent such as metals should be primed using our recommended Primers, which are available in Clear and Grey.
However, if you wish to remove the coating later do NOT use a primer (such as on a vehicle)." I would think your boat would need primer on it.
What prep did you do or did you paint it straight on without a primer?
Their website says this "NOTE: Surfaces that are non-absorbent such as metals should be primed using our recommended Primers, which are available in Clear and Grey.
However, if you wish to remove the coating later do NOT use a primer (such as on a vehicle)." I would think your boat would need primer on it.
In reply to Post #10
Sorry it did not work, but the web site does say it covers boats. As said it would need to be prime it first.
Sorry it did not work, but the web site does say it covers boats. As said it would need to be prime it first.
In reply to Post #10
Beware 😂
Beware 😂
In reply to Post #14
Melodramatic I suppose. White boats are far more common than green ones and can be obtained at a far more reasonable price. Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run, but I'm not convinced that there is a cost effective option that works.
Melodramatic I suppose. White boats are far more common than green ones and can be obtained at a far more reasonable price. Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run, but I'm not convinced that there is a cost effective option that works.
In reply to Post #15
How much cheaper is the white boat if you have to spend £150 on proper paint and primer, plus many hours work to do the job properly?
The stuff in post 2 is designed for inflatable boats, other similar products are around the same price, and all require thorough cleaning and a primer solvent
Can you really blame the forum for bad advice when you've done a half arsed job using a cheap paint not designed for inflatables without researching it further
10 seconds on google
There are loads of dinghy repair/restoration videos on YouTube
How much cheaper is the white boat if you have to spend £150 on proper paint and primer, plus many hours work to do the job properly?
The stuff in post 2 is designed for inflatable boats, other similar products are around the same price, and all require thorough cleaning and a primer solvent
Can you really blame the forum for bad advice when you've done a half arsed job using a cheap paint not designed for inflatables without researching it further
10 seconds on google
There are loads of dinghy repair/restoration videos on YouTube
In reply to Post #15
Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run, but I'm not convinced that there is a cost effective option that works.
so
Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run
but your now saying it is B******* then
Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run, but I'm not convinced that there is a cost effective option that works.
so
Having the option to colour the thing can really pay in the long run but your now saying it is B******* then
Plastidip say themselves on their website to clean an area with acetone and try Plastidip to see if you get adhesion.
You want flexithane paint ideally, I know the zapcat racers use this... those are the F1 of racing inflatables (based on weight to power ratio) and they have very high pressure tubes.
For a better price than the polymarine stuff try HMG Flexithane.
HMG Flexithane
Its all about the prep work though, check out
prep guide
You want flexithane paint ideally, I know the zapcat racers use this... those are the F1 of racing inflatables (based on weight to power ratio) and they have very high pressure tubes.
For a better price than the polymarine stuff try HMG Flexithane.
HMG Flexithane
Its all about the prep work though, check out
prep guide
In reply to Post #18
Thanks. We may be getting somewhere. I estimate 2 litres for a 2m tender. £116. If two coats are required it is no longer cost effective.
Thanks. We may be getting somewhere. I estimate 2 litres for a 2m tender. £116. If two coats are required it is no longer cost effective.
In reply to Post #19
No problem.... I'd suggest giving Rawlins a call and see what they think, they will put you right onto what works and if you need a thinner or will need two coats for example... I take it the boat is PVC and not hypalon as hypalon is quite expensive. Anyway, they have always been really knowledgeable when I've spoken to them
Edit: here looks cheaper for bulk HMG paint but I havent dealt with them before. Their website has been going since '08 but I'd check them out yourself first
tools-paint.com
I'd not advise using the hardener (makes this one pack paint into a two pack) because like all two pack paints you'll be risking your health with skin exposure alone - let alone lung exposure - and would really need professional environment and respiration equipment like masks that pull air from outside of the room.
No problem.... I'd suggest giving Rawlins a call and see what they think, they will put you right onto what works and if you need a thinner or will need two coats for example... I take it the boat is PVC and not hypalon as hypalon is quite expensive. Anyway, they have always been really knowledgeable when I've spoken to them
Edit: here looks cheaper for bulk HMG paint but I havent dealt with them before. Their website has been going since '08 but I'd check them out yourself first
tools-paint.com
I'd not advise using the hardener (makes this one pack paint into a two pack) because like all two pack paints you'll be risking your health with skin exposure alone - let alone lung exposure - and would really need professional environment and respiration equipment like masks that pull air from outside of the room.
In reply to Post #20
I sprayed my zodiac with Halfords camo paint. It's a 2.6m boat and I used three tins. Gave it a beige base coat and then used olive green and brown sprayed through leaves to get a pattern.
It's been used about six times since being sprayed and the paint is still on the boat and the boat hasn't rotted away as some people suggested it would when I said I was going to spray it.
I think it will need a top up next year just to colour in where the oars have scraped away some of the paint but for about £8.00 a tin it's not an issue.
I did this as a bit of fun during lockdown and was surprised just how easy it was to do.
I sprayed my zodiac with Halfords camo paint. It's a 2.6m boat and I used three tins. Gave it a beige base coat and then used olive green and brown sprayed through leaves to get a pattern.
It's been used about six times since being sprayed and the paint is still on the boat and the boat hasn't rotted away as some people suggested it would when I said I was going to spray it.
I think it will need a top up next year just to colour in where the oars have scraped away some of the paint but for about £8.00 a tin it's not an issue.
I did this as a bit of fun during lockdown and was surprised just how easy it was to do.
In reply to Post #21
Thank you both. Can the forum note this is the quality of correspondence that is required.
Thank you both. Can the forum note this is the quality of correspondence that is required.
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