Best Cleaner for Vinyl?

[jackkloepfer]

I was using fantastic spray for my vinyl, but I'm told that that's not ok. What works best, and won't damage the vinyl?

[AirTool]

RE: Best Cleaner for Vinyl?

I have been using the 3M combination cleaner / protectant cream.

I recently bought the 303 spray cleaner but haven't tried it. I bought it mainly to use on the sunbrella canvas but it is safe for the vinyl also. Then top the vinyl with 303 protectant. For sunbrella canvas, it gets topped with a water repellent but I haven't tried that yet.

[SNMike]

Re: RE: Best Cleaner for Vinyl?

I have been using the 3M combination cleaner / protectant cream.

I recently bought the 303 spray cleaner but haven't tried it. I bought it mainly to use on the sunbrella canvas but it is safe for the vinyl also. Then top the vinyl with 303 protectant. For sunbrella canvas, it gets topped with a water repellent but I haven't tried that yet.

Correctamundo! Airtool is referring to 303 Fabric Guard.

303 stuff is the best IMHO. But if you get a certain stain, smudge, whatever, that won't come off with the above recommendations, try Lexol Vinyl cleaner. It's a gelatin based cleaner that works wonder's...........95% of the time. :grin:

Mike

[core-rider]

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Ace-Deta...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Ace Distribution sells their stuff from the above eBay store. It works great and will note damage the vinyl. It will actually condition the vinyl making it last longer in the sunlight. It takes some work with a scrub brush, but the results are second to none. After using the cleaner I go over the vinyl with 303 Protectant.

I suggets buying the 1 gallon bottle of concentrate. It will go a long way. I'm still on my first gallon after the entire year using it.

[husker]

Where do you buy such cleaners?

[harddock]

303 from marine stores (west marine, boaters world, rv stores etc)
lexol, auto parts stores

Both are problably at other outlets but i know I've seen them at the above.

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Best Cleaner for Vinyl?

Correctamundo! Airtool is referring to 303 Fabric Guard.

That's it

http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...bric-guard.cfm

[jackkloepfer]

thanks, all. I'll try these out.

[steve-o]

303 is not going to clean. It just makes everything shine and locks in the grime. You need to get the grime out before you use the 303.

[MyWakeIsBigger]

Try Overtons too.

[AirTool]

303 is not going to clean. It just makes everything shine and locks in the grime. You need to get the grime out before you use the 303.

The 303 cleaner should clean. Why would they call it a cleaner if it doesn't clean?

http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...yl-cleaner.cfm

[steve-o]

That's 303 cleaner. 303 Protectant is a different product and is what everyone buys and refers to as cleaner. They aren't the same.

Here's their product page.
http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...m?category=274
Note the 303 Aerospace Protectant (which is all I ever see people use or refer to)
and then there is the cleaner you linked. I've never tried the cleaner.

I did a comparison on my old boat side by side of the products. about 2 years ago.
http://www.wakeboatworld.com/index.p...1&Itemid=1

[core-rider]

Excellent comparison steve-o! I came to the same conclusions you did after using Exquisite for the first time. For those who always just spray and wipe, you will be amazed at the difference a scrub brush will do and is worth the extra work. It gets down into the grain of the vinyl and cleans everything. I have always used brushes when cleaning the interior and thought the grain was just always going to have a little grime left in it until I used Exquisite. It all went away and I think made the vinyl cleaner than when the boat left the factory.

If I remember correctly Exquisite is also all natural with no harsh chemicals and completely bio-degradable. Sure it doesn't smell as good as Simple Green, but it isn't harsh on the nose and cleans so much better. That cleaning I just spray and wipe some 303 Protectant for a barrier against future dirt and stains.

[BaylorUBearFootin]

The trick to getting the most out of your vinyl cleaner (303 is great) is to use a medium-bristled brush and get ready to put in some serious elbow grease. The brush lets the cleaner get into the texture of the vinyl and clean it up...trust me...if you put in some elbow great you'll get that vinyl looking like new.

Have fun...

[TRBenj]

Boy, it seems no one here can keep up! I cant believe no one has mentioned the G&T vinyl cleaner- its the only one recommended by Correct Craft. G&T is the supplier for the vinyl in our boats, so its guaranteed not to damage the clear coat or threads like many other cleaners will. The only thing I cant get it to remove are old mildew stains... but its otherwise the best cleaner Ive used to date. White Lake sells it in their store.