Spots in vinyl upholstery

[indytoatl]

Does anyone know what causes these spots in the upholstery? Is there anyway to clean or remove them? The boat is a 2008 with 60 hrs on it. I tried bleach and other household cleaners but they didn't work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Looks like Mold stains,....

donno how to get 'em out...

 

[emilsr]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Mold stains would be my guess as well.

Stay away from harsh chemicals (like bleach) as it's hard on the stitching. Many times a few days in the sun in hot/dry weather will eliminate mold problems and staining.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Actually, it looks like mildew to me... comes from a dark/moist environment.

I like the ArmorAll cleaning wipes for removing that junk, no bleach to eat the stitching and they do a pretty good job. Available in the automotive dept at Wal-mart.

Keeping the interior of your boat dry will cut a lot of that stuff out.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

I have used bleach in the past with decent results . . . just work the surface and stay away from the stitching as much as possible . . .

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Actually, it looks like mildew to me... comes from a dark/moist environment.

I like the ArmorAll cleaning wipes for removing that junk, no bleach to eat the stitching and they do a pretty good job. Available in the automotive dept at Wal-mart.

Keeping the interior of your boat dry will cut a lot of that stuff out.

Armor-all is death in a bottle with vinyl/leather, it will degrade it over time, use a good vinyl cleaning spray, its expensive but worth it
Malco Leather and Vinyl Cleaner

It looks fungal, pink spots are bacterial, and impossible to remove. They may not come out as well, but use a 50/50 water/rubbing alcohol mixture, rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly then protect it with the proper cleaners/protectants

303 Aerospace Protectant Cleaner, UV Protector for Vinyl & Rubber Products

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Armor-all is death in a bottle with vinyl/leather, it will degrade it over time

Yeah, silly me... they've only been selling it and staying in business for I don't remember how long, and I've been using it for over 30 yrs. with nothing but great results.

I guess the other folks that buy it are just like me and love to kill their vinyl and leather.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

contact any leather/vinyl manufacturer and they will tell ya about armor-all, but do as you will.

 

[indytoatl]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Thank for all the replies. I thought it was mildew'sh myself. I will try a couple of your suggestions on a small area and post the results.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Yeah, silly me... they've only been selling it and staying in business for I don't remember how long, and I've been using it for over 30 yrs. with nothing but great results.

I guess the other folks that buy it are just like me and love to kill their vinyl and leather.

JNG, I think you owe JDA an apology. Veada a leading Marine Seat manufacturer agrees with him.

How to Clean Vinyl Boat Seats

Just because a lot of people use it does not mean it's the best thing to use. I think I'll stick with their advice and JDA's You're free to continue using it. I don't and never have cuz I was told it was not good in a wet environmnet a LONG time ago by a really Sage old boat shop guy. Guess the Big Time MFG's agree with him too!!!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Of course they don't want you to use ArmorAll, they want to use their product.

... and if y'all will reread my original post, I didn't suggest using ArmorAll protectant... I suggested the Armorall Cleaning Wipes:

Car Cleaning Wipes by Armor All? - Effective, Disposable Cleaning

I don't and never have cuz I was told it was not good in a wet environmnet

My boat isn't subjected to a wet environment, it stays covered and dry when not in use... like it's supposed to be to prevent exposure to the elements.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Yea, about that Armour-All stuff . . . I used it on the vinyl seats . . . then shortly thereafter, I read some of the Nautolex (Vinyl manufacturer) product information, which said not to use products like Armour-All. :facepalm: . . . I wish they would say 'why' not to use it . . . . . . I still don't know 'why'.

Anyway, so I stopped using it on the vinyl and used it on the Plexiglass instead . . . also used it on the rubrail.

Anyway, back on topic . . . I wonder if there is a product that will be more of a mold/mildew preventer for vinyl, etc. There is the stuff you can get for house paints that keep the mold away . . . I wonder if there is some thing similar for vinyl ???

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Anyway, back on topic . . . I wonder if there is a product that will be more of a mold/mildew preventer for vinyl, etc. There is the stuff you can get for house paints that keep the mold away . . . I wonder if there is some thing similar for vinyl ???

This stuff is supposed to help:

Moisture Absorber from DampRid | The Home Depot - Model#: FG83K

... but there's probably some mucked up obscure reason you shouldn't use it in a boat and I'll get bashed for posting it too.:faint2:

It's little more than calcium chloride with added scent.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

I was not bashing you for posting, I was just letting you know that armour-all was not good for vinyl and leather...I recently redid a 2006 chevy silverado driver seat, and when i took it to the chevy dealership to get matching leather he said it looked extremely bad for a 6 year old cover, then commented the owner must have used armour-all....I asked customer who confirmed they did, and even talked to my manufacturers about it, they say the funny thing is that what makes it look so great is what deteriorates its integrity. I apologize if it came off as bashing you.

the 303 protectants I listed earlier also prevent mildew/mold from adhereing to answer tpenfield

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spots in vinyl upholstery

Of course they don't want you to use ArmorAll, they want to use their product.

... and if y'all will reread my original post, I didn't suggest using ArmorAll protectant... I suggested the Armorall Cleaning Wipes:

Car Cleaning Wipes by Armor All? - Effective, Disposable Cleaning



My boat isn't subjected to a wet environment, it stays covered and dry when not in use... like it's supposed to be to prevent exposure to the elements.

From your direct link faq's

" What are the ingredients in Armor All? Cleaning Wipes? Do they include silicone, alcohol or petroleum distillates?
Armor All? Cleaning Wipes contain propylene glycol ether, isopropanol and surfactants.

Can I use Armor All? Cleaning Wipes to clean inside my home?
Armor All? Cleaning Wipes have been specially developed and tested or use on automobile surfaces. They are not recommended for any painted or glass surfaces. If used on household surfaces, such as plastic or vinyl, just make sure you test first in an inconspicuous area, and make sure that you avoid using on surfaces where slipperiness may be a problem. "

AA is a petrol product .. and is not good for specified products on hand.

As far as gettin rid of red spots on your vinyl . .. I dont think you can.

Some have tried bleach .. some have tried magic eraser with black streak remover .. some have tried pimple remover .. most of them have failed.

The pink is an algae .. its not sure if it comes from your Vinyl .. or the foam. ( there is a debate if its from the Foam or the Vinyl ).

I dont think you can get rid of it .. you might be able to tone it down with some Bleaching agent ( some use that pimple remover ). Most of us have to redo the vinyl ..

Is it the foam ? dunno . ..

Its a microbe .. I think its deturious from the microbes.

Nothing I have found that can take away those red/pink stains.

The best solution for Vinyl cushions was "black streak remover" and a "magic erasure" .

I dont think its gonna work for this though .. sorry.

YD.