3 Tips for Vinyl Maintenance
Whether on seats, backrests or accents, vinyl is the workhorse of boat surfaces and if you keep it in good shape, it will last longer and maintain your boat’s value as the years go by. Marine vinyl is a flexible leather-like material and if you follow these three steps, you’ll prolong its life.
Clean and dry it
Vinyl is porous and has petroleum-based plasticizers to keep it supple so not all cleaners will be ideal to use on stains caused by drinks, food, leaf marks, sunscreen or ink stains. There are many products for cleaning boat vinyl but start with the basics. Use a solution of 1 gallon of water to ¼ cup of mild soap like Dawn dish liquid and scrub vinyl with a cloth, soft brush or sponge. Don’t forget the stitching – an old toothbrush is great for getting into tight spaces. Rinse with lots of fresh water. Although white vinegar is great for cutting through salt and maintaining other finishes on a boat, it’s best not to put acid on your seats.
Allow the vinyl and stitching to dry completely. You can wipe seats down with a soft towel but be sure to allow air drying time for all the nooks and crannies that can grow mold and mildew. Don’t use anything with bleach like Clorox or ammonia like Windex. Avoid 409, GooGone and other non-marine cleaners. Abrasive cleaners strip vinyl of its UV inhibitor properties while degreasers clog its pores. Don’t be tempted to use gasoline or a power washer either.
Ink stains will lift with sunscreen but then that must be cleaned off as well. For tough stains, you can use alcohol wipes but follow that up by washing and cleaning the whole area with soap.
Seal and cover it
Once dry, you can apply a protectant to lock in the finish. A sealant will also help keep future stains from forming or make them easier to clean. Lots of protectant sprays are available from Meguiar, 3M, Starbrite, Marine 31, or 303. Don’t use automotive or household/patio cleaners/protectants that have silicone in them.
Be sure to cover your Bayliner for storage because sun damage on vinyl is almost impossible to clean or reverse. However, be sure to provide good ventilation under the cover because dark, airless environments are havens for mildew that looks like a pink stain on white vinyl (which is why it’s called “pinking”).
Repair it
Tackle damage when it occurs to prevent it from getting worse. Burns and tears won’t get better on their own so try a DIY kit with an applicator and a base compound that matches the vinyl color. If you don’t feel handy, take your vinyl to your Bayliner dealer for recommendations or assistance.