Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

[pcrg28328]

This my second season with my boat. A 1990 21' Stingray cuddy cabin. It was never maintained that well and I have had a very hard time trying to clean the White Vinyl. I have used bleach and boat vinyl cleaner with no result. My last straw was Acetone. So I was in wally world buying acetone and decided to go to the Auto section to get wax because I just spent a week with cutting polish restoring the shine to the hull. I ran across Mothers VLR. Vinyl, Leather, Rubber. Mothers? VLR Vinyl-Leather-Rubber Care I thought, for 8 bucks I'd try it first. Wow what a difference it made. I still have a few stains to work on but over all I like this stuff. I guess it's acetone for the stains and then another layer of VLR to protect it.

 

[airshot]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

In the old days of vinyl roofs on cars I used to use D & L hand cleaner, excellent cleaning results and had lanolin in it to keep the vinyl soft and supple. Have also used it on vinyl seats, dash boards etc. So far my boat seats have not needed cleaning, but when they do I will be reaching for the D&L based on my past results.

Airshot

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

I've used Tuff Stuff with good results............

 

[V153]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

In the old days of vinyl roofs on cars I used to use D & L hand cleaner, excellent cleaning results and had lanolin in it to keep the vinyl soft and supple. Have also used it on vinyl seats, dash boards etc. So far my boat seats have not needed cleaning, but when they do I will be reaching for the D&L based on my past results.

Airshot

To this day D&L is a suberb vinyl cleaner, and the lanolin helps to restore/preserve the material.

I would NOT recommend 'cleaning' vinyl boat cushions with acetone. Less ya wanna risk a sticky gooey mess.

Bear in mind unless you've flushed the heck outa the seams? Those harsh chemicals are eating up the thread.

Be very careful blasting older cushions with bleach or strong solvents. They might look good for awhile, until the stitchline blows out.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

Magic Eraser works great on vinyl, just do not put too much elbow grease into it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

Magic Eraser works great on vinyl, just do not put too much elbow grease into it.

That stuff is nothing but sandpaper. A good cleaner made for leather/vinyl and a soft scrub brush is far better on the material and threads. There is a chemical embedded in the material that has UV inhibitors for protection. Acetone, bleach and other chemicals remove this.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

Have you even tried a Magic Eraser on your 288Vista? If not, don't knock it.
Then spray and protect with this.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

Have you even tried a Magic Eraser on your 288Vista? If not, don't knock it.
Then spray and protect with this.

I won't try it either. It is an abrasive so i can knock it. I do use that also along with some 303 every now and then. You use that but not there cleaner.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Best way I have found to clean and protect Vinyl!!

For cleaner on lightly soiled vinyl, I use what the vinyl manufacturer and my owners manual recommends. 409 or Fantastik. Then follow with the Meguiars, or 303 if you like it. Stubborn stains, Magic Eraser does good, and has never damaged the vinyl if you know how to use it. Then Meguiars or 303.

Now back to your regularly scheduled topic.....