Upholstery cleaning question:

[R055]

Hey guys, going to be cleaning all the upholstery because it's pretty dirty from previous owner, I am using 303 multi cleaner, 303 vinyl cleaner, 303 aerospace protectant and a mixture of bleach recommended by 303 for tough spots and mildew.

My only problem right now is the scrub brush destroys the threads/stitches. Is there anything to cover them like a tape while cleaning or any method of cleaning you guys recommend that doesn't destroy the threads?

Also one of my seat cushions(the one everybody steps on to get on and off the boat is starting to rip by the thread and line running across the seat cushion, can I put a small bead of clear caulk to have it hold up better? Hoping to get atleast another 5 years out of the upholstery.

Here is a quick picture showing a small section I cleaned:

 

[robert graham]

Sounds like you may be needing to re-upholster those seats Before 5 years....the sun/UV and weather play havoc with vinyl, plastics and polyester/nylon sewing threads....

 

[R055]

Would rather not if possible, might sell it in 3 years for something bigger/newer so would rather have the purchaser take the hit vs selling it for 500 more but paying 2k for upholstery.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Thos products that you are using are definitely good and should do the trick. To solve the brush problem could you:
Use a softer brush?, Put a thin strip of masking tape over the seams?, or simply avoid brushing over the seams (scrub parallel to the seams). Those are my only suggestions. The seats do look a little ratty though. Are they dry rotted? if they are dry rotted than they are not worth cleaning in my opinion.If they aren't with a good cleaning they could last maybe 3 years, but that is a stretch. Good luck!

 

[R055]

Thos products that you are using are definitely good and should do the trick. To solve the brush problem could you:
Use a softer brush?, Put a thin strip of masking tape over the seams?, or simply avoid brushing over the seams (scrub parallel to the seams). Those are my only suggestions. The seats do look a little ratty though. Are they dry rotted? if they are dry rotted than they are not worth cleaning in my opinion.If they aren't with a good cleaning they could last maybe 3 years, but that is a stretch. Good luck!

Definitely not dry rot, they're dirty with mildew in places. Will try to see what's the thinnest masking tape I can find. Brush is already pretty soft, any softer and it won't clean.

 

[tpenfield]

I'm thinking that if a soft scrub brush is destroying the threading, then the seat coverings are probably soon to come apart. This might be your last cleaning on this set of upholstery. I am wondering what the tape will do and how you will clean under the tape, etc?

 

[R055]

I'm thinking that if a soft scrub brush is destroying the threading, then the seat coverings are probably soon to come apart. This might be your last cleaning on this set of upholstery. I am wondering what the tape will do and how you will clean under the tape, etc?

Oh man, was thinking I'll clean with something lighter on the threads then put thin piece of tape and clean with brush everywhere.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I have had very good luck using a "Magic Eraser" for stuff like that worked great in the boat I just bought

 

[R055]

I have had very good luck using a "Magic Eraser" for stuff like that worked great in the boat I just bought

Heard it was extremely bad for the vinyl, it erases the vinyl and it's protective layer. I'm using diluted bleach for any touch spots and 303 vynil cleaner and multi purpose cleaner for everything else, also adding the aerospace protectant to protect from sun once clean.

 

[spoilsofwar]

I have had very good luck using a "Magic Eraser" for stuff like that worked great in the boat I just bought

Magic erasers work well to clean stuff, but, being abrasive, they ultimately damage stuff like vinyl. You may not notice it as you use them, but the vinyl's life is likely to be affected.

There is an upholsterer on this forum (or, at least he used to be, when I was a more frequent poster) who swears magic erasers are the devil in regards to vinyl cleaning. I will take a professional's word for it.

 

[R055]

Yeah I bought some thin tape and will now mask the threads before cleaning to avoid screwing up the threads and will try to get as much use out of this vinyl as I can.

 

[R055]

Will also post some before and after pics in about a month (estimated amount it'll take me)

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

Heard it was extremely bad for the vinyl, it erases the vinyl and it's protective layer. I'm using diluted bleach for any touch spots and 303 vynil cleaner and multi purpose cleaner for everything else, also adding the aerospace protectant to protect from sun once clean.

Thanks for using our 303? products and for sharing your experience using our products! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Have a great day!

 

[OllieC]

I thought someone would have pointed this out already (unless I missed it)

"DON'T USE BLEACH!!!!" It will destroy the threads in your seats.....

 

[airshot]

Well I am an old school guy, a boater from years back, so....I have mentioned this on a number of threads so here goes again...get your self some D&L handcleaner.
It is a cream type of hand cleaner that removes stains and grease, but the good side of it is it has lanoline in it which is good for the vinyl. It will be soft and supple when you are done and will not harm the threads. Go to an old car collection show and see how many oldtimers there use it for upholstery and those old vinyl tops that cars used to come with. It can be a little hard to find nowadays but I still see it on occasion. I still have a can of it from 12 years ago and yep it still works great. I have a young neighbor that has gotten into restoring some older cars and when he ran into trouble getting some old vinyl to look good I introduced him to D&L handcleaner and now he swears by it.

 

[bruceb58]

I have had very good luck using a "Magic Eraser" for stuff like that worked great in the boat I just bought

Don't ever use bleach unless it's really really diluted and never ever use magic erasers on vinyl.

 

[R055]

No Title

Here are some quick before and after pics i took. I used the 303 multi surface cleaner on everything first with a scrub brush, then used diluted bleach on any left over stains/harder to get dirt and mildew. And topped off with aerospace protectant. In the after picture i left the engine cover middle section as a comparison. Also took the picture on different days so different lighting. Also pictures are crappy quality because of the 1mb limit i had to screenshot the original puctures.