Vinyl stains

[houstonshark]

Well, I learned one of many lessons to come last week. Two weeks ago we went out on the boat and pulled it out of the water as the sun was going down. We cleaned the boat as well as all the ropes, life jackets, boards, etc.

Since the sun was already down, the jackets, ropes and boards just had to hang dry in the garage. Before we left the river house, I towel dried as much of the equipment as I could and then decided to just place a couple boards that we were not taking back with us in the racks, folded inside the boat.

This past weekend when I went to pull the boat out of the garage I noticed 2 stains in the white vinyl. One was on the Captain's chair and the other on the bench behind the captain's chair. These stains were directly under my new board that was hanging upside down. It appears the stains came from water leaking out of my bindings which are new also.

I tried to clean them with Boat Bling Vinyl Sauce but it didn't make a dent. Any suggestions? Obviously, one would be to not let equipment drip dry into the boat!

[thtrog]

Depending on how bad it is, getting it out in direct sunlight for a few hours should fade the stains.

[chpthril]

X2 what ET says. Direct sun light works wonders on stains. But as far as a cleaner goes, try a little Dura-Gloss Mildew Buster or Simple Green. Then rinse the are real well.

[NICKYPOO]

x3 on the sunlight. Hopefully it'll do the trick. I can only imagine your state of bummedness when you saw that.

[WakerideN]

x3 on the above for the sun.. but if that does not work use this.

its the best product I have found to take just about anything off your vinyl, only use for stubborn stains.. everyday use I use 303.

http://www.amazon.com/Malco-Leather-.../dp/B00397YNL8

[kspwski]

x2 on the Amazon link to Malco Plastic and Leather cleaner, works wonders!

[IDBoating]

I've used a kitchen product called Soft Scrub with great success on jetski seat vinyl. Test an out-of-the-way area first with this, and all other, products.

Report back!

[houstonshark]

x3 on the above for the sun.. but if that does not work use this.

its the best product I have found to take just about anything off your vinyl, only use for stubborn stains.. everyday use I use 303.

http://www.amazon.com/Malco-Leather-.../dp/B00397YNL8

Thanks for all the quick responses! I just ordered some Malco Leather and Plastic Cleaner based on your recommendation. I've heard that the sun works wonders on vinyl stains; the problem is that if it is sunny and we are at the river then we are on the boat! I guess before it gets too hot we could go out without the bimini up.

Surprisingly, it didn't bother me all that much NICKYPOO. I plan on reupholstering the captain's chair at the end of the season anyway. Maybe it didn't bother me as much because I was the one who did it! If someone else had done it, I probably wouldn't be too happy...

[NICKYPOO]

Good point. Someone brought a magazine onto my boat once and sure enough, it got wet and the printing ink transferred right to the vinyl. I freaked out and that was the last magazine ever on my boat. That years ago and nothing would get it out. Over time, the sun has magically made it disappear.

[Timmy!]

The Malco should work but if you are impatient, go to the dollar store and buy some LA's Totally Awesome cleaner for $1 and try it. If it's REALLY bad, try...Magic Eraser but do so carefully because it will sand away your vinyl.

[2thdoc01]

I used magic erasers all the time on my Malibu vinyl...worked awesome!

[robert theisen]

I used magic erasers all the time on my Malibu vinyl...worked awesome!

Good thing you didn't use it on the hull.

[2thdoc01]

Good thing you didn't use it on the hull.

I did...now I have a Tige coming!