How can I restore my 16 year old Brig Inflatable RIB?

Bob asked:

Hi, I have a 16 year old BRIG, it holds air well and the boat is still serviceable but looks bad.

I just sealed and painted the floor boards and transom. Is this dirt build up or sun damage to the white dye in the pvc? Will your cleaner work?

I’ve tried several mild cleaners with little success but some bar keepers friend on seam test spots did help some. The boat has life remaining, but I just want it to look better. I’m not interested in painting it.

Thanks, Bob

Answer:

For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.

Hi Bob,

From what I can see in the photos, there’s more that’s going on than dirt.

The drip pattern on the bow of the boat seems to indicate that someone tried to use a chemical of some type to clean up the boat and realizing that it was staining the fabric stopped and rinsed off the residue. In this case the damage may or may not be reversible, depending on; if the discoloration is superficial or indelible. Indelible stains cannot be reversed.

The brownish stains on the top of the tube towards the aft of the boat is typical of damage cause by suntan lotion. People sit on the tube in these areas and suntan lotion from their legs and hands wind up on the tube and then the sun reacts with it and causes these tan stains and sometimes a brown sticky stain. I assume that the tube was never properly protected, otherwise this damage would not have occurred. Inflatable boats are NOT maintenance free! The tube needs to be protected against UV from the sun as well as other environmental damage from day one.

The only way to determine if the stains can be removed is by trial. Speed Clean^® is a cleaner restorer that I would recommend. It’s very aggressive but will not damage the tube. Many household and automotive cleaners and protectors do more damage than good. If you can get the tube satisfactorily restored, then apply Poly Guard^® protector and keep re-applying to prevent the damage from re-occurring.

Keep in mind that there are no guarantees, but these are the best products you can safely use.

Speed Clean^® and Poly Guard^® are recommended by Brig as well as most major inflatable boat manufacturers.

Thanks for your question,
Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar