Cleaning vinyl?

M

mikeg2

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Joined
Sep 23, 2005
RO Number
19114
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I have a 2004 Albemarle with white seats.On the top edge of 2 seats are black smudges.I tried boat soap,409,and vinyl cleaner with limited results.The rest of the bolsters etc came out great with vinyl cleaner (Starbright I think).Any suggestions for these stubborn spots.Thanks
 
Is it a mildew stain or dirt? Mildew stain remover should take care of either one.
 
If it is mildew, it may take awhile for it to disappear. I get some black area's on the top on my rear seat where the cockpit cover touches it. I spray a mildew stain remover on it several times over the cousre of an hour or so while in direct sunlight. The stain is noticeable less but still visable. After using the boat during the summer and again applying the mildew spray, the sun takes care of the rest.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.Not sure if it is mildew or dirt.There are also a few dark spots on the captains seat under the cushion so now I'm thinking mildew.The top edges of the seats are certainly in an area that would not get dirty.When I get down to the boat I'll try both the magic eraser and if its a no/go a mildew treatment.I would have thought 409 would remove mildew but these are both easy suggestions and I'll give them a shot.
 
Follow up.Mr Clean magic eraser did the trick but it took a lot of scrubbing and the eraser crumbled.Washed it with soap and water since eraser left grit and finally put on vinyl protectant.
 
I do my seats and bolsters with magic erasers once a year, and I go through several of them each time. Sometimes I soak the magic eraser in vinyl cleaner instead of just water if there's hard to remove stains. I follow up with a 303 treatment.
 
I know this will dry out the seats, but I don't leave it soaking on the seat, but, I've gotten black smudges like that off with bleach when nothing else would touch it. Just dab it on a rag then on the seat and make sure to rinse well and follow up with a protectant.
 
I used Brush Cleaner (home depot sells it). I re-dyed some seats in my boat and the prep involved thorough cleaning followed by a wipe down with acetone. Well acetone will make them white I promise that, but it is so strong I believe it does more harm then good... too strong for my 15 year vinyl. Brush cleaner worked very well with a scotch bright pad followed by ample amounts of fresh water to rinse with.

If you use acetone, please try on the backside in an inconspicuous place first and get ready to rinse as well... a lot of people say it has worked for them but just a quick wipe of an acetone rag left a mark across one of seats of bright white as it it had melted off layers of vinyl.

--Rick
 
Use acetone dead last resort. The reason that it can clean up a vinyl seat as if it is melting layers off the top, is because that is exactly what it is doing. In fact, you can "weld" two adjoining cushions together if you are not careful. This kind of power does not come without a cost though. It will very likely shorten the life of the vinyl, but as was my case last year it was that or get new vinyl. Using acetone bought me at least another year. I use it sparingly and also use magic erasers first.
 
Maguries #39 heavy duty vinyl cleaner, cleans like no other product I've ever used, bar done.
 
I use Murphys Oil Soap with water and microfibere cloth on the vinyl. If I have a subborn spot I dip a Magic Eraser in the solution and scrub with that.
 
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