Vinyl Interior Cleaning

[danielclubs]

I recently bought an '86 Starcraft open-bow and am very pleased with it. Overall, the boat is in great shape. The vinyl interior only has a few tears but I am trying to clean it up a bit. The vinyl is white but the places where wearing occurs (arm rests, center of seats) has become very white while the rest remains a light gray. I have used many things to try and clean (soft scrub, bleach-white, etc) and nothing seems to match the bright white in the worn areas. I would simply like to get a consistent color so it doesn't look dirty and worn. Any suggestions out there? Thanks!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

[quote The vinyl is white but the places where wearing occurs (arm rests, center of seats) has become very white while the rest remains a light gray. /quote]
Sorry dude,I cant figure out what color your seats are ???Are they white or light gray??

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. No cemicals, and once you try it, you won't believe how well it works.

 

[danielclubs]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Sorry Charlie, I guess I was in a hurry while writing...trying to do too much in one day. The original vinyl is slightly "off-white" or a very light gray. So, where it has been worn, it is completely white, while the rest remains the original off-white. It's kind of like your favorite pair of jeans...your butt and knees wear to a lighter color than the rest. I guess that's stylish in pants but makes my boat look used and dirty.

I'll try the magic eraser...thanks for the recommendation.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

If the color change is because of wear in the high use areas, you are stuck with multi-colored seats unless you are ready to re-upolster or die them.

If the color change is because the high use areas are cleaner than the other areas, then soft-scrub mold formula should work well.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Do a few test spots with some softscrub that contains bleach to see if the entire interior is discolored or if the wear spots are discolored.Try a 3m scrubbie pad with the soft scrub.Magic erasers are great for general cleaning but this sounds like some elbow grease is needed.

 

[Holdimhook]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

What Strato said! That magic eraser is the stuff!8)8)

 

[imported_JLowe]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Having only limited experience here, but I was recommended a different solution. We used, amongst other things, a liquid rubbing compound on the vinyl. It and some elbow grease, did a decent job of removing some tough stains/scuffs. If you have some around, it might be worth a test spot?!?
Our 1998 Rinker looks almost brand new now!!

 

[danielclubs]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll try the liquid rubbing compound as that is about the only thing I haven't tried.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Daniel, Have you tried "Spray-9". It works very well on vinyl. I also use the "Purple Stuff" which is the generic version of Castrol Superclean.

 

[NBE]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

There is also a product called BBS (Bass Boat Saver) that works very well on a lot of different materials and stains. Even removes old fish blood stains from carpet.

 

[vegas_storms]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Magic Eraser!!!

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

I also vote Magic Eraser. Worked great for me.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Be very careful when using a product with bleach in it. If you get it in the seams, it will dissolve the thread.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

Be very careful when using a product with bleach in it. If you get it in the seams, it will dissolve the thread.

Been there,done that,the stitching fell apart! Bleach is bad!!

 

[vegas_storms]

Re: Vinyl Interior Cleaning

I'm buying stock in Mr. Clean after using Magic Eraser on my 89 Cobalt. Looked pretty beat up and know, well take a look.