Vinyl Top Restoration

[drewpster]

Ok I need help making up mind what to do. I have been working on a top notch refinish job on my old pocket cruiser. The deck came out better then I imagined. A few months sanding, fairing and priming yielded a paint finish I am very proud of. The cabin top is covered in vinyl. I like the retro style in keeping with the original boat design so either a top restoration, or, an all out replacment is in order. The original vinyl is in good shape except a few light stains and a little fading. Anyone have any experience getting old vinyl to shine like new again? Is replacing it my best option?

 

[tmh]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

I'm no expert, but one thing I do know....when/if you clean it, make sure you put it in place on the boat to dry so it doesn't shrink.

I was told by someone to wash my older covers in a big washing machine using Woollite (sp?) and a gentle cycle. Then snap in place on boat to dry. Then use a waterproofing spray appropriate for the material to re-waterproof it. I guess the waterproofing doesn't work well unless it's pretty clean, btw.

Let me know how it goes because I have one to do this winter also.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

drew post some pictures;
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cg...%3Fa%3Dviewthread%3Bfid%3D37%3Bgtid%3D1179789

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Hows this Admiral?

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q187/drewpster/1coatbow.jpg

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

photobucket.com/albums/q187/drewpster/1coatbow.jpg

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

How about that Admiral?

 

[mnwild_mntwins]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

I have a similar issue. All the vinyls seats in my boat are stained and dirty. I took one of them off and washed it in the washing machine. It's a little cleaner, but not up to my standard. I also bought some upholstery foam cleaner (WASTE OF MONEY). Does anyone have any product that works good on vinyl? I know with car upholstery they sell paint. And for leather, you can dye it (like shoe polish). But I haven't found anything for vinyl.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Drew go to the picture you want, top line under pictur push Ctrl and c together, a 'c' will appear on the line. then come to this post, click on the yellow square with the mountain, a box will appear at the top of the page, backspace the stuff out of it, then hit Ctrl and 'v' together, the new address will appear, then click OK. theaddress should show in this box, then click add reply.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

After reviewing all the photos on photobucket, I have the following thoughts -

1) The vinyl looks good in the pictures. If it is just stained, then try a dilute solution of clorox in water (1:5 = clorox : water) and try to bleach it even. Work your way up in strength to 1:1 for the tough stains.

2) If bleaching doesn't give you the results you want, then new vinyl is needed. Doing that vinyl job yourself will be tough. Suggest:
- Contact auto top shop to get a price on new vinyl installed. Even if pricy, it will look professional and new.
- Remove the vinyl, and paint.

3) I am assuming that there is missing trim around the "open" edges where the vinyl contacts the deck, no?


Keep us posted...

Mark

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

OK! This is cool.
Thanks Adm.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Capt,
To answere your question I do have the trim for the edges of the top. It is aluminum and I am sure you have a good idea what it looks like. It is in rough shape as well. I considered removing the vinyl fairing the top and painting. But to tell you the truth, the deck nearly kicked my rear end and I have no idea what the top looks like under that fabric.

http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q187/drewpster/[/img]

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Here is a good shot of the aft portion of the deck. (Mas epoxy fairing, Interlux Pre-coat, Interlux Brightside) Needs one more coat and I am finished here. All the previous holes have beed filled. A deck pipe and spotlight cabling hole forward were also filled.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Here is what it looked like before fairing, filling and paint. Both inside corners aft inside the cockpit had to be repaired with epoxy. And I added some support underneath.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Here is the process of filling and fairing the rather large deck pipe and spotlight holes on the bow. There were also holes all around the outer edge of the deck where the old rubrail screwed to the deck, these were also filled the prep for a new rub rail. Ton of work? Youbetcha!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

My guess is the vinyl is just glued to the fiberglass/gel coat. If you can remove a small area an inspect, you'll get a better idea of what is involved with painting.

I'm inclined to believe the vinyl is an add on to make an upgraded model. Can't be sure, but that would be my guess. If that is true, then there is probably gel coat underneath. The glue can be cleaned off with acitone or some other suitable solvent. Probably won't take as much work to get paint ready than what you had to do with all that fairing work.

The vinyl adds a touch of class and uniqueness to the boat, but in the long run, a painted surface will probably be less stain and damage prone than the vinyl.

Let me know what you find under the vinyl.

BTW, that is a really professional looking paint job you did!

Mark.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Thanks Mark, I will be painting the hull as well. I hope it comes out like the deck did. I will be using Interlux Perfection (fighting lady yellow) to do the hull. I will also be doing the bottom with green antifouling paint. Then, it just a matter of sanding and refinishing the mahogany bulkhead and entry hatch. My 7mos. baby girl should be just about ready to graduate college by then. (feels like it anyway) then its back in the water!

I checked out your MFG. Beautiful job! The white on the hardware really sets it off!
Drew

 

[dhatcher]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

man all that love you been putting into this boat, i cant wait to see when its finished, keep up the good work man

 

[drewpster]

Re: Vinyl Top Restoration

Thanks for the thought dhatcher,
The weather is turning fall here and average 40 degree days are not far away. Unfortunately, any major painting to be done will have to wait until spring. I do however have tons of work left to do in the cockpit and in the cabin. I spent two years prior getting the mechanics, electrics and plumbing finished before the cosmetics started. If there is continued interest, I will post projects as they come along. Here is a quick run down of work completed thus far:
electric head, holding tank, elimination of overboard dump
complete rewire, addition of house battery, charging system, addition of lights, instrumentation, shore power w/panel and bilge heat, onboard charger, combiner, isolated house/start 12v systems, 12v breaker panel (ABYC specs as close as I can get)

carb rebuild, electronic ignition, exhaust upgrades, transmission rebuild, raw water pump rebuild, hoses, belts, addition of seacock, prop strut repair/ shaft alignment, shaft log and rudder through hull repack

Bottom job/ blister repairs (took awhile on this one) needs repaint w/ color change, 2 yrs old more to follow here

I am sure I am forgetting some stuff. All the work was and will be done by me. I still have plenty of projects to do. As most of the below decks work has had a good start I will be concentrating on cosmetics at least until the weather dictates.
I do not want to sound as though I am tooting my own horn here. I am by no means an expert in marine restoration. I do have a pretty good background but allot of the projects I have listed here were the first time for me. I am obsessive about research. Truth is, without the Internet, forums and people like you I would still be trying to get the thing in and out of the slip without damage. I have had allot of help. And I look forward to getting more from you folks.
Unfortunately I have not kept much of a record of the work that has already been done. I will however be covering the cosmetics as completely as possible. And of course I am more than happy to share what I have learned so far. Its been a barrel of fun, (and a truckload of money) so far.
Drew