Vinyl discolored and cracked

[1960vw]

My 1993 Starcraft Elite 170 had new vinyl redone all around about 4-5 years ago. Now it is fading on seat tops which is burgundy over white. Also noticed some spots have hardened and shows sign of cracking. I thought marine vinyl was tougher 1 What happened?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

Maybe too much money was saved on the material . . .

There are various grades of vinyl. I suspect that the material used was not at the head of the class.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

What do you use to clean and protect your boat's vinyl surfaces? How do you store your boat - covered or uncovered?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

My 1993 Starcraft Elite 170 had new vinyl redone all around about 4-5 years ago. Now it is fading on seat tops which is burgundy over white. Also noticed some spots have hardened and shows sign of cracking. I thought marine vinyl was tougher 1 What happened?

Ayuh,.... My best guess is, ya didn't keep it covered, 'n the Sun rotted 'n faded it.......

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

How old was the Vinyl when the work was done???? You can never be sure.
Quality of it when new ??? Some colors fade very fast for some reasons.

my 10 year Black & white Chaparral looks & feels like new still. BUT ...It is covered by a full black Sunbrella cover 360 out of 365 days every year.

Tough to determine reasons for failure.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

Ayuh,.... My best guess is, ya didn't keep it covered, 'n the Sun rotted 'n faded it.......

'ell yeah!!! that UV damage is a sun of a beach!

Exposure to the elements (rain, sun, snow) will age a boat quicker than anything.

 

[1960vw]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

Thanks for the replies! When I bought it, previous owner "said" it was recently done.Could have been some cheap stuff for a sell. It looked real good. I used 303 Aerospace Protectant once every spring and fall and had it covered. I noticed the fade early last year and remembered I did wash it down real good after a trip to the lake but maybe had some sun tan lotion residue ? I don't know, looks like next spring I'll get it redone where needed. Not all of it is bad. Oh well , it runs too good to let look ugly!!!!

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

If you keep it covered, and are using 303, AND the vinyl is quality stuff, it should not be causing you any grief this early into its life...

My guess is junk vinyl, maybe not even marine quality. Since you mention cleaning it, you never cleaned it with magic erasers or any other abrasive stuff do you?

 

[1960vw]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

I used some blue marine soap from Pep boys to wash stuff down. You're probably right about the quality.

 

[rick3452]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

Google S.E.M Vinyl paint (dye) you can clean, prep using thier product, and spray "paint" your cushions, works awesome...

 

[1960vw]

Re: Vinyl discolored and cracked

Interesting product! Just a matter of how to match my burgundy by looking color chart online. what can be done on the somewhat hardened part of my vinyl?