vinyl discoloration, need help!

[toolguy1967]

I have an 70'Reinell with 7 yr old blue upholstery. I keep the boat & vinyl impeccably clean and maintained. The problem is I clean the seats & engine cover with Soft Scrub, apply a light coating of Armor All, and cover the boat. After a few days of 100+ degree So Cal heat, I uncover the boat only to find the vinyl has partially turned brown. It's very difficult to clean. I've tried switching brands of protectant. Is something in the Armor All reacting with the heat? What can I protect the seats with that won't turn them brown?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

I'd try a vinyl cleaner specifically made for marine vinyl. I use Meguiar's Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner(blue spray bottle).<br /><br /> http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=BI <br /><br />You don't need to apply any armor all after. This product alone does very well.

 

[toolguy1967]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

Thanx for the suggestion. I'll try the product you mentioned. Incidentally, the only thing that seems to remove(most of it)the brown staining is Orange Clean (walmart), and way too much elbow grease. Any idea why the vinyl turns brown in the heat?

 

[CoachHolland]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

That Orange Clean stuff is awesome.<br /><br />As far as why it's turning brown, is it damp when you are covering the boat? Could be mildew or some bacteria growth or something else that is growing while covered, but the heat ends up drying it out and turning it brown. Not really sure though.<br /><br />I'll second the recommendation for Meguiar’s for upkeep (once you've got ititially clean with the Orange Clean). I use their various stuff for both my boat and vehicles and they work great.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

I think your vinyl may not be marine vinyl.Is the brown stuff sticky????If it is ,then thats the problem.I use 303 protectant on all my vinyl.It is expensive but the best.Charlie

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

“I clean the seats & engine cover with Soft Scrub”<br />That seems to be a little harsh. I am a flooring inspector and I have gone on more then one inspection where a homeowner rubbed a dull spot in there kitchens vinyl flooring with that stuff. They only time I would use it on vinyl seats is if I had a stain.

 

[lmccollum4]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

I have a boat that was reupholstered about 4 years ago and the vinyl in it does the same thing if left in the sun, it turns brown. It isn't biological or mildew, the vinyl just changes color. I have also noticed it get worse if anything dark is over it that causes it to get hot.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

Sounds like you have the same problem Larry.Who ever did the reupholstry used regular vinyl instead of marine grade.Marine grade will hold up to sun ,heat,wet environment.Regular vinyl will always discolor and get mildew.Been there-done that.I learned my lesson the hard way.Charlie

 

[toolguy1967]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

thanx for all the input folks. I'm unsure whether the vinyl is marine grade or not, it was done before I purchased the boat. The upholstery is 2-tone blue, & I've noticed that only the edges (darker blue) get brown. Possibly that vinyl is not marine grade. As far as using the soft scrub, I do alot of fishing and the seats sometimes get bloodied, etc. I'll try using some of the products mentioned and see what happens. Thanx again.

 

[salty87]

Re: vinyl discoloration, need help!

simle green for regular cleaning on my boat. i also recommend the 303, well worth the price. you can even use it on the hull for uv protection.<br /><br />i would avoid the armor all, nasty stuff. i don't even put it on my tires anymore. i used to spray armor all on car seats until it left the stitching so brittle the seams came apart.