Best Cleaner for Vinyl?

[ffmedic74]

I used G&T Marine Specialties Group cleaner, but G&T just got bought out by spradling vinyl:
http://www.spradlingvinyl.com/news-detail.asp?ID=53

As far as I know they have a new company making their vinyl cleaner. Anyone know who it is yet?

[Stef_Jelos]

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...

What kind of brush? I've never used anything other than cloth rags but would like to try a brush.

Thanks.

[rogier]

Using about 35 different types of (professional) cleaners over the last 15 years, I've found (Epifanes) Seapower Inflatable Boat Cleaner to be the best possible cleaner out there for Vynil interior. It performs miles ahead of any of the other (EU Available) cleaners I've used.

It does not touch the vynil topcoat, cleans almost all stains with minor scrubbing and leaves a waxcoat making the vynil protected again.

Good luck!

[tmb]

I've been trying to purchase from ACE but they won't responsd to my emails!!! Great service.

[Flipside]

303 Protectant protects very well, but Tough Stuff gets mold and stains out. Not sure if it is good for vinyl so I always follow up with 303 Protectant.

[Watarski]

The mildew is out of control in my '85 2001. Any one of these mentioned that excel in cleaning this? I've used the starbrite mildew remover in my old '99 SAN, but it was too harsh on the vinyl and threads...

[DanielC]

The humidity in your area is going to make it hard to get rid of the mildew.
I use a very dilute mixture of Dawn dishwashing detergent, and water in a spray bottle, and a soft bristle brush, and gently scrub the vinyl with that. Wipe off with clean towels.
Here in Oregon, getting the boat out into direct sunlight will help dry the vinyl, and bleach out the mildew stains. But the humidity in Oregon is a lot lower than Florida. Just to be clear, do not use actual bleach on the vinyl.
Using 303 will help protect the vinyl, after it is clean, however the UV protectants in the 303 may interfere with the sun light bleaching the mildew stains. If you have good luck with the sun bleaching the mildew stains away, clean the vinyl again with the Dawn, water mixture, and then apply the 303 protectant.
I have a constant battle with mildew on the carpet under the motor cover. I end up pressure washing the carpet two or three times a season to get rid of it.

[waterskifanaticGAJ]

I use ivory dish washing liquid for everyday cleaning, and for the nasty stuff I use Spray Nine, or the 3M cleaner or protectant. I am having trouble finding a consistent supplier.

[johnboyy7]

Can you use 303 fabric guard on vinyl or is that just fotr the cover? That is different from 303 protectant right? Is 303 a good preventer? I'm looking to clean real good and have something to really help keep it clean.