Best Fabric Cleaners

[capndan]

I did a search on this subject, wording it just about every way I could imagine, and only got one hit, with not many responses.

I just bought an '89 Crestliner, which I hope to dirty up inside with lots of fish slime, but I need to clean it up some just so my wife will get in it once or twice before I start catching fish.

It's basically a sound boat, but the vinyl could use some scrubbing. I am interested in recommendations for cleaning vinyl upholstery, without being too harsh. I've read that something like DAWN dish soap will extract more of the oils, making it even older and maybe encouraging it to crack.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

DanL

 

[JoLin]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser does a good job on spots and stains. First time around I'd probably wash it all down and then go to town with a bunch of them.

For general cleaning you'll get a lot of opinions. I use Simple Green or similar for general cleaning of both hard and soft surfaces. I stay away from strong bleach-y stuff like Clorox Outdoor as I've read that it weakens thread.

Keeping the boat covered when not in use will help keep the upholstery nice. UV is your enemy.

My .02

 

[woosterken]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

here you go................

http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/67/303-fabricvinyl-cleaner.cfm

it says it has like a 40spf for uv protection

woosterken

 

[capndan]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

here you go................

http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/67/303-fabricvinyl-cleaner.cfm

it says it has like a 40spf for uv protection

woosterken

I'm a big fan of their 303 Aerospace Protectant. I used their convertible top cleaner and found it not that effective.

My experience has been that the stuff that is "kind" to the fabric doesn't clean so great. Am hoping for someone to give me the miracle cure.
thanks,
DanL

 

[642mx]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

I use the Mr Clean Magic Erasers too... I've tried everything and nothing works as well. I always use some 303 afterwards to protect the vinyl. 3M makes some good vinyl conditioner too.

 

[chris75h]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

I use Fantastic cleaner. I had some bad black mildew on my seats when I bought the boat and I used a small fingernail brush and and Fantastic. It worked great for us.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

I use the Mr Clean Magic Erasers too... I've tried everything and nothing works as well. I always use some 303 afterwards to protect the vinyl. 3M makes some good vinyl conditioner too.

+1 here.....
Works great!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

I use Clorox Cleanup on the viinyl. There isn't enough bleach in it to damage threads but gets vinyl spotless. On a side note, after using any cleaning product on the seats, you should rinse/wipe them down with fresh clean water.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pads are amazing on gelcoat. They get out the toughest scuffs. I don't know what makes them work...maybe it's magic.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Best Fabric Cleaners

Fantastik is recommended by some marine vinyl suppliers. +1 on the erasers too. I used soft scrub with bleach a few times on the old vinyl, and within a year the white vinyl seemed to be turning kind of gray and wouldnt come back white. now, fantastik and erasers on the new stuff.