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Yes sticky. From what I have been reading my new to me dingy may be stuck for good. It is in great shape except for the sticky surface. I just scrubbed it with MaryKate inflatable cleaner and it came out mint. It is however still very sticky. Does anyone have any real experience with this ailment? I have read cures from peanut butter, talcum powder to acetone. I don't want to ruin it and the fabric still seems really solid. Painting may be the last resort. Help!!

I know what you're talking about but have not experienced / dealt with it myself. Curious - how old is your dinghy, what material, constant or occasional sun exposure?

Make, model, age, how it was used, colour, and how many henweights it has - all useful information...

2000 Quicksilver 270, grey PVC. Just got it. It was used as a tender.

Try some ArmorAll?

Or perhaps use some talcum powder - many rubber items are stored using it.

Hi. I had the same problem with my inflatable. mostly the transom, I used acetone to clean it, M E K also works.
I was told to by a P V C paint to spray it with after. however I didn't get around to that as an internal hole in the inflatable was beyond my repair.
Andrew

Acetone is probably good but check it first on a non affected area to make sure it doesn't react or begin to dissolve the material.
Oh - and don't smoke anything while you're doing this!

Is this a coating to seal fabric components? If so, removal of the sticky could mean removal of the sealing properties. Ability to re-seal could be problematic as well.

My experience is not quite exactly what you are dealing with but in a way similar. I had a tent where the waterproofing became sticky (from not completely drying out the tent before storing it). I attempted to remove the sealant and then apply new sealant on the opposite side of the fabric but never was successful - spent a lot of time and some $$$ and ended up with a still sticky tent. Your dingy is not a tent but if the stuff that is sealing fabric floats has broken down, probably pretty similar. In that case, applying powder as necessary is probably the only option short of replacement. Have you contacted the manufacturer for advice?

I actually got through to someone at Mercury that cared enough to talk to me.

Evidently the condition is caused when the surface is damaged by sunlight exposure. After time the surface is penetrated by bacteria that attacks the peanut oil used in the manufacture of the fabric. The end result is a sticky ooze that comes out of the fabric and PVC parts. He thought it was interesting that peanut butter was offered as a possible solution and there may be some truth to using it. He stated that a flexible topside paint is the suggested solution. It won't make the problem go away but will work as a fix to get more years out of the boat. Looks like a fall project.

Catigale,
If he got hold of Merc, then I know what his dingy is.I had one and mine had 3 white henways, he should look to see if his are still there, it seems they have a knack for getting loose.
T.

hahahah. I know it sounded good from them though. Getting itchy to uncover the boat. The 14" of new white stuff just put a damper on that. BTW my henways are black and they are still there. Think sailing!!

There's about 3 or 4 pounds of BS in this thread.

Hmmmm....Anyone tried using wd40 I know it works on the sticky glue left after stickers. Ron Dauntless.

1 sick of dynamite should do the trick. Caution, could cause damage to outboard if not removed.

Hmmm...I'm still thinking about the peanut oil used in manufacturing and am wondering why water mammals don't try to eat it I seem to remember way back in the early days of pvc pipe ,They used peanut oil also ,but had to change the formula due to gophers and other undergroung critters eating it