Vinyl Cleaning

[MikeC]

I ordered both Malco Leather and Plastic Cleaner and Boatdacious Vinyl Cleaner. I will say that both worked equally well and both required the same effort to get the vinyl clean. What amazed me about both of these is just how clean they got my interior (and how dirty my interior was). Even storing it indoors with a cover didn't help. Here's a pic after cleaning one side of the cushion - I'm afraid to take the boat outside now, the glare from the sun may be blinding.

[bhectus]

What will amaze you even further is if you go down to your local dollar store, pick up a bottle of Totally Awesome for $1.00 and see that it works just as good. Really.

[RideButter]

It's true, totally awesome is......totally awesome!

[gride]

I will go ahead and say 3m mildew remover and star brite mildew remover do MUCH better than totally awesome. Your seat looks great. Follow it up with 303 aerospace.

[Chexi]

The Starbrite mildew remover for sure (and I assume also the 3m) are pretty harsh. They should only be used for their intended purpose, mold/mildew that you cannot get off any other way.

Dilute the Totally Awesome (I like 3:1 water for pretty bad situation, 5:1 or even more dilute for everyday cleanings). You can use it straight for super stubborn stains, but that should be pretty rare and in almost all cases not needed. Use a medium bristle brush too, it really helps.

[gride]

Whenever I wash the interior I always rinse it off and wipe it down. Then I use a plain old vinyl cleaner from west marine. If there are pieces that seem they could be cleaner I bust out the mildew stuff, thoroughly wash it off and wipe it down. Then condition it. Actually using the boat in the sun helps too.

[AirTool]

Before using any harsh or even full strength cleaners....soak the vinyl and carpet down with fresh water to start.

That will reduce the chance for immediate stains due to heat and long term stains due to bleach getting out of hand that soaked deep into the dry stuff then didn't get rinsed fully. Bleach products including the good ones do their damage over time.

[drpercival]

Davies Super Tuff is the best I've seen or used for mildew spots and general vinyl. No bleach, non toxic. Made my 2000 Ski Nautique interior look factory new. Works great on carpet. Even took off belt dressing when I foolishly applied the dressing with the engine cover open.

[swc5150]

What will amaze you even further is if you go down to your local dollar store, pick up a bottle of Totally Awesome for $1.00 and see that it works just as good. Really.

After trying pretty much everything out there, I took PN member advice and went to Dollar Tree for some TA. It is truly awesome!! And for a $1 - unbeatable!

[drpercival]

Also, use a magic eraser with the Davies Super Tuff

[RideButter]

I liked the results from the magic eraser, but concerned about its abrasive properties, so I stopped using it years ago.

[markj]

Yep. Magic Eraser is hard on your vinyl. Totally awesome works wonders AND it's only a buck. You gotta get the one that doesn't have bleach though. Follow with 303 and you're all good.

[ccs]

Im just as concerned with damage to the seats/vinyl as I am the actual cleanliness - so I just ordered the Zcare vinyl cleaner (only one recomended by Nautique) and follow that up with the 303 Aerospace Protectant.

The magic erasers on my seats would really concern me -- just wipe a wall down in your house and then look at what the eraser leaves behind.

[swc5150]

I wouldn't recommend using a magic eraser on the vinyl, even though it'll certainly clean up spots. However, the latest vinyl CC uses actually can safely take magic erasers, or even acetone for that matter. I still would never go that route, and they don't recommend it, but the new vinyl will stand up to them. My brother learned this on a factory tour, when the guide was explaining the quality of materials CC uses.

[actman]

I have about 3 tiny black spots on my new seat in my 200. I have been using Megurias vinyl conditioner and cleaner on my seats for the last few years. It works great but can't remove the black spots. Anyone know what would work?