Marine vinyl cleaning

acdc96

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
412
I recently put new marine vinyl in my boat to replace the old rotted stuff. Lately I've been fixing up the engine and been climbing out the side of the boat instead of the transom for some reason. The vinyl has some grease and grime on it. I've been trying to put a towel over it to keep it cleaner.
I need to get the vinyl clean again what should I use to clean it???
 

jimmy wise

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
288
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I use malco cleaner, but any vinyl cleaner will do. a stiff bristle brush helps if its in the grain
 

?ommon?ents_

Cadet
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
28
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

Clean with 1 part simple green 10 parts water. Apply with towel. Allow to set. Remove with seperate towel and clean water. (Brush only if necessary) Dry with seperate towel. Apply Meguiars natural shine protectant and buff with soft cloth. Keep this up and vinyl will look new for the next decade.

FYI. I am a detailer of cars, trucks, motorhomes, motorcycles, and boats.
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I use the tuff stuff spray cleaner and a brush, then 303
 

jigngrub

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
8,155
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

For grease on vinyl I use Dawn dishwashing detergent.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

Something like simple green or another mild soap for cleaning. You don't want to use harsh stuff that'll weaken the thread. It takes enough of a beating from UV. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works great on the tough spots.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,752
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

Never want to use Mr Clean Magic eraser unless its the last resort as it will take off the top protective layer of your brand new vinyl.
 

Starcraft5834

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
1,677
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

Gas cleans grease good..:D just kidding,, what Jigngrub said +1
 

lg260ss

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 25, 2011
Messages
81
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

Spray nine followed up with 303 protectant.
 

dannys2004glastron175mx

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 15, 2014
Messages
307
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

its better to take your rear seats out first thing before you do any work to the engine , it don't take long and its well worth it in the long run :)
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,752
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I have a carpeted plywood piece that is the exact size of my rear seat that goes in the seat's place when I am working on the boat or fishing.
 

acdc96

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
412
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

It's not the seats... Their out of my boat in my basement. It's the side bolsters. It takes .an hour to take each one out and their 10ft long.
I'll try some of the solutions and see what works the best and post my results.
 

jpwilly

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
95
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I used magic erasers and mild mix of water / dish soap and Zep 505 to clean then immediately rinsed and towel dry. Apply 2 coats of leather vinyl conditioner with lotion to protect. Now touch up is easy as using same conditioner to dampen the area and wipe up if there is anything stubborn on the vinyl magic eraser and reseal. My seats and bolsters look new. Simple green, degreaser, etc didn't come close the the results of a magic eraser. But you have to reseal the vinyl with something or they will reseal with dirt.

vinylcleanmagiceraser2_zpsecd7c6a2.jpg


vinylcleanmagiceraser_zpsb0d5cc2c.jpg
 
Last edited:

bajaunderground

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,401
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

If it's the side bolsters, get some plastic visqueen (sp?) and tape it over them? Clean with simple green then treat with 303...great stuff!
 

jayhanig

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
836
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I am not a fan of using a brush on vinyl. You may get it clean but you will also have greatly accelerated its ultimate cracking and splitting. I like using Spray Nine on vinyl with a soft cloth.
 

eavega

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
1,377
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

I've always used Meguiars - M5716 - Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner / Conditioner with excellent results. Vinyl in my boat is original from 1988. I get the back all greasy from climbing in and out while working on the engine/outdrive, and it always comes away clean, shiny, and soft.

-Rgds
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
51,873
Re: Marine vinyl cleaning

the Mr Clean magic eraser is actually an abrasive pad. do not use.

dawn dish soap it the way to go
 
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