White Vinyl seat stain removal

[tkrfxr]

I need help. I found a stain on the back of the helm seat where a plastic envelope was left after winterizing at the end of last season. Unfortunately, the color logo on the plastic transferred a stain onto the vinyl on the seat, and I can't get it off!

I tried:
soap and water
vinyl stain remover
chlorox
mineral spirits
xylene
MEK
Fiberglass stain remover

I don't want to use Acetone, yet, but I wonder if anyone has experienced this problem...

here is a pic

 

[crazy charlie]

You aint gettin that one out.Been there and learned it the hard way by leaving a simple bag of hotdog rolls on my white seat.I tried EVERYTHING.It will eventually fade but keep rubbing everything from paint thinner,nail polish remover and tooth paste which will make it fade quicker but dont be in a rush and leave it uncovered in the sun if you want to accelerate the fade.Get used to it for now.Charlie

 

[Horigan]

Maybe try Magic Eraser? I just discovered this product and have been amazed at what it removes. Probably won't work, but worth a try.

 

[JimS123]

A friend had dingy seats so he located a company that paints vinyl marine seats. They used an airless spray and the result looked like a brand new seat.

 

[gm280]

Any type "remover" you want to try needs to be done in an area to see exactly what it will do to the vinyl first. I would certainly try Acetone and even lacquer thinner. I've had issue where one would work but not the other and vice verse. Also try some hand cleaners that cuts grease with some pumice in it. Amazing what those hand cleaner removes... JMHO

 

[JASinIL2006]

I accidentally got a bit of blue lube (coupler grease maybe?) on one of my white seats and the lube stained the seat. I never found anything that removed the stain. (I did not use Magic Eraser because it's an abrasive and I didn't want to damage the vinyl.) Over the course of several years, the stain has faded, but it's still visible.

 

[Scott Danforth]

majic eraser is essentially 600 grit sand paper. while it will remove the stain, it will also remove the protective layer of the vinyl.

either live with it, or you are looking at either a vinyl paint to cover or to re-upholster the panel

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Scary as this sounds...stick with me.
I had the same issue when I left a new beach towel to dry on the sunpad all day then overnight and a few days after. The dye went right into the vinyl. I literally tried everything possible on the market.
Eventually giving in and thinking it was a write off anyway...I let a friends dad try what he had suggested all along. I couldn’t dare watch it though.

He got a white rag face cloth...some paint thinners and carefully clothed over the stain until the vinyl was actually getting soft and nearly melting...he then quickly washed over it with water. He repeated this 3/4 times which had an instantly visible better result, but not gone completely.
he then told me to leave it in the sunlight whenever possible. (Not an easy thing in Scotland). I did and over the period of about 5 days in the sun...it was totally gone. Couldn’t believe it.
I then sealed it all with a cleaner and conditioner from meguiars. Still as good as new.

 

[crazy charlie]

hi. Scary as this sounds...stick with me.
I had the same issue when i left a new beach towel to dry on the sunpad all day then overnight and a few days after. The dye went right into the vinyl. I literally tried everything possible on the market.
Eventually giving in and thinking it was a write off anyway...i let a friends dad try what he had suggested all along. I couldn’t dare watch it though.

He got a white rag face cloth...some paint thinners and carefully clothed over the stain until the vinyl was actually getting soft and nearly melting...he then quickly washed over it with water. He repeated this 3/4 times which had an instantly visible better result, but not gone completely.
He then told me to leave it in the sunlight whenever possible. (not an easy thing in scotland). I did and over the period of about 5 days in the sun...it was totally gone. Couldn’t believe it.
I then sealed it all with a cleaner and conditioner from meguiars. Still as good as new.

there is a huge difference from dye from a beach towel and what he has on his seat.he has ink from plastic packaging,

 

[QBhoy]

there is a huge difference from dye from a beach towel and what he has on his seat.he has ink from plastic packaging,

What’s the huge difference ?

 

[crazy charlie]

What’s the huge difference ?

That question only get a BIG DUHHH

 

[QBhoy]

That question only get a BIG DUHHH

Enlighten me then...genuinely...or maybe I should assume your Iboats name and no explanation from your reply means I shouldn’t expect too much sense out you ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

one is a fabric dye, the other is a plastic material transfer

 

[crazy charlie]

Enlighten me then...genuinely...or maybe I should assume your Iboats name and no explanation from your reply means I shouldn’t expect too much sense out you ?

Im gonna stick with A BIG DUHHHH as all the enlightenment you deserve...genuinely!! Charlie

 

[QBhoy]

Im gonna stick with A BIG DUHHHH as all the enlightenment you deserve...genuinely!! Charlie

Ok then. I’ll let you crack on and get back to the basket weaving. Take it easy !

 

[crazy charlie]

[h=2]tkrfxr , any luck getting the vinyl cleaned?? Charlie[/h]

 

[crazy charlie]

guess we will never know.......

 

[capitol1]

It may not work, but I bought a 1999 Regal with cream colored seats. The were marks and stains. I used Maguire's Vinyl & Rubber cleaner and removed all the marks. It also conditioned the vinyl. Good luck