RDL
New member
Can anyone recommend a method and or prodcuts for cleaning your cockpit cushions etc.
Thanks,
Rob
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Thanks,
Rob
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Cockpit Upholstery
- Thread starter RDL
- Start date
tcm
...
Re: Cockpit cushions cleaning
Ah, cockpit cushions.
These are usually made of plastic leatherette, the type of stuff that pencil caeses used to be made from.
You can get the main clag off with washing up liquid. But it's not too good. The next option is brushing fairly hard, and this works quite well, with a nailbrush, not too hard a nailbrush, mind.
But they still won't be new-looking. They'll be so-so. It's now time for heavier guns. First option is professioanl cleaner/chemical of the type flogged by poster "hlb" on this forum as "elixir of Boat cleaner" and use very small amount diluted in water, max 1 to 20water.
Acetone is a possibility for small spots of biro etc. BUT be very careful as you can dissolve the plastic.
The ideal solution for cockpit cushions (as will all else) is to remove the cause of the problem, not to trey and cure the result. The cause of the problem is that the cushions are out in the cockpit for days and weeks on end in filthy air, and the tiny bits of crap get into every little bit. So, if you can manage it, remove the cockpit cushions when you leave the boat. Stickem down below. It's foor this reason that i cought a boat when the cushions aren't glued to the seatbacks but have a nice clips at the back. Sometimes you can unglue seatbacks, sometimes (if the seat itself has been upholstered rather than a opioece attached) then you can't.
The next stage in the route to cushion heaven is to cover them with removable towelling covers. This makes them far far more luxurious, instead of cold and/or sticky. You can still take them down below when away from the boat, and you can washem. Beiges will look good in a marine environement for longer, hiding any salt water "tide" marks, altho navy blue looks smarter at least to start off.
hope this helps
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Ah, cockpit cushions.
These are usually made of plastic leatherette, the type of stuff that pencil caeses used to be made from.
You can get the main clag off with washing up liquid. But it's not too good. The next option is brushing fairly hard, and this works quite well, with a nailbrush, not too hard a nailbrush, mind.
But they still won't be new-looking. They'll be so-so. It's now time for heavier guns. First option is professioanl cleaner/chemical of the type flogged by poster "hlb" on this forum as "elixir of Boat cleaner" and use very small amount diluted in water, max 1 to 20water.
Acetone is a possibility for small spots of biro etc. BUT be very careful as you can dissolve the plastic.
The ideal solution for cockpit cushions (as will all else) is to remove the cause of the problem, not to trey and cure the result. The cause of the problem is that the cushions are out in the cockpit for days and weeks on end in filthy air, and the tiny bits of crap get into every little bit. So, if you can manage it, remove the cockpit cushions when you leave the boat. Stickem down below. It's foor this reason that i cought a boat when the cushions aren't glued to the seatbacks but have a nice clips at the back. Sometimes you can unglue seatbacks, sometimes (if the seat itself has been upholstered rather than a opioece attached) then you can't.
The next stage in the route to cushion heaven is to cover them with removable towelling covers. This makes them far far more luxurious, instead of cold and/or sticky. You can still take them down below when away from the boat, and you can washem. Beiges will look good in a marine environement for longer, hiding any salt water "tide" marks, altho navy blue looks smarter at least to start off.
hope this helps
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tcm
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Re: oh, and....
when cleaning, you can't use loads and loads of water unless you are sure you can dry them out - you can;t dry them out unless taking them home in central heating or on a very hot day.
Bleach is a no-no. I did clean cushions with some of this, nice and clean, then ruined every single pair of trousers I owned. Time for new cushions.
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when cleaning, you can't use loads and loads of water unless you are sure you can dry them out - you can;t dry them out unless taking them home in central heating or on a very hot day.
Bleach is a no-no. I did clean cushions with some of this, nice and clean, then ruined every single pair of trousers I owned. Time for new cushions.
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simongoldthorpe
New member
Acetone - but try a small area first.
Does anybody know where you can buy acetone in decent quantities, bigger than the little rip-off tins you get from chandlers that hold enough to remove the wife's nailvarnish and cost a fortune?
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Does anybody know where you can buy acetone in decent quantities, bigger than the little rip-off tins you get from chandlers that hold enough to remove the wife's nailvarnish and cost a fortune?
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Talbot
Active member
To buy acetone in quantity go to a fibreglass resin resaler. Then you can buy it by the gallon at about the same price as one of those silly little cans. However it is not something you want to store in your garage in quantity!
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tcm
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You can buy it in france no probelms, from places like Castorama, together with oddlesof nasty chemicals like hydrochloric acid, nitrc acid etc etc.
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franktheseadog
New member
NB acetone will not work on suncream. In fact, nothing seems to work on suncream. My upholstery now has a faint yellowy hint to it that NOTHING will remove. I have tried the lot. Have spent a fortune on so-called cleaners to no avail. Any ideas?
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tcm
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Nope. The worst seems to be some sunfactor 20 sunscreen that i have (tried to)ban from the boat. Cushion covers are the only solution that really works i have found so far...
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Dave1258
New member
Decosol>>>>>Halfords
<hr width=100% size=1>If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying.
<hr width=100% size=1>If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying.
robind
New member
Try "Truck wash" Great for all plastic cleaning used commercially in the transport trade particularily on truck side walling. let me know how you get on.
Regards
Rob
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rejuvanu.com>RejuVanu</A>
Regards
Rob
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rejuvanu.com>RejuVanu</A>
Planty
New member
Try:
http://www.labpakchemicals.co.uk/
Got some (5L) off them last year, came by carrier, excellent service.
Paul
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http://www.labpakchemicals.co.uk/
Got some (5L) off them last year, came by carrier, excellent service.
Paul
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Benny1
Member
If you don't want to faff around with anything too strong, then Jif (or Cif or whatever it's called now) works pretty well, but you do need a fair bit of water to wash it off and elbow grease to put it on.
However there is not much getting around the fact that nice bright white cushions will not be nice bright white cushions when they are 5-10 years old.
On a slightly different point, does anyone know why pretty much all European manufacturers fit decideldy poor quality vinyl, even on £1million plus boats, when the vast majority or American built boats (even a £20,000 US ski boat) have excellent quality upholstery?
Or is it just down to the perennial issue of cost and economies of scale? Nevertheless, you would not have thought that it would cost much more (as a proportion of cost when new) to fit even the biggest Sunseeker/Fairline/Princess with decent quality vinyl.
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Benny1 on 12/01/2004 15:01 (server time).</FONT></P>
However there is not much getting around the fact that nice bright white cushions will not be nice bright white cushions when they are 5-10 years old.
On a slightly different point, does anyone know why pretty much all European manufacturers fit decideldy poor quality vinyl, even on £1million plus boats, when the vast majority or American built boats (even a £20,000 US ski boat) have excellent quality upholstery?
Or is it just down to the perennial issue of cost and economies of scale? Nevertheless, you would not have thought that it would cost much more (as a proportion of cost when new) to fit even the biggest Sunseeker/Fairline/Princess with decent quality vinyl.
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Benny1 on 12/01/2004 15:01 (server time).</FONT></P>
tcm
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Re: ooer cif
i would be super-careful of "scouring" products like cif/jif. I use these on metal things like erm old knives and forks, also the bilges a bit, not anything shiny that i want to keep shiny...
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i would be super-careful of "scouring" products like cif/jif. I use these on metal things like erm old knives and forks, also the bilges a bit, not anything shiny that i want to keep shiny...
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itsonlymoney
New member
I use a detergent (washing up liquid) and water mix about 10 - 1 ratio through a trigger spray. For awkward marks in smaller areas "T cut" works a treat. I recently got rid of marks I think were from matalic zips on trousers on my white seats and they came up a treat.
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
Benny1
Member
Re: ooer cif/Jif
Seems to work fine for me...suppose if you scrubbed and scrubbed it could have an adverse effect, but it seems to get most of the grime of the delightful "fake hide" indentations that the vinyl on UK built boats has.
Have always washed it off with a sponge and lots of water, then dried off quickly with a towel so water cannot get intot he foam too much...
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Seems to work fine for me...suppose if you scrubbed and scrubbed it could have an adverse effect, but it seems to get most of the grime of the delightful "fake hide" indentations that the vinyl on UK built boats has.
Have always washed it off with a sponge and lots of water, then dried off quickly with a towel so water cannot get intot he foam too much...
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Benny1
Member
Re: ooer cif
ps it works great on bathrooms too, or so my Mum tells me!
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ps it works great on bathrooms too, or so my Mum tells me!
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pistonbroke
New member
Re: ooer cif
We always use Starbrite vinyl shampoo, heavy staining takes a while to shift but it works really well, especially if used undiluted. Under no circumstances should you use abrasive products like Jif/Cif and certainly not acetone. These products will remove the top dressing of upholstery vinyls and although the immediate results look great, it will harm them and they will be even harder to clean in future.
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We always use Starbrite vinyl shampoo, heavy staining takes a while to shift but it works really well, especially if used undiluted. Under no circumstances should you use abrasive products like Jif/Cif and certainly not acetone. These products will remove the top dressing of upholstery vinyls and although the immediate results look great, it will harm them and they will be even harder to clean in future.
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Benny1
Member
Re: ooer cif
Still doesn't answer the question as to why UK boats have c**p upholstery with "leatherette" grain in them which is what catches all the dirt.
As I said before, the US-style boat vinyl (on all but the cheapest brands) is much better, and doesn't have the silly grain either. The only European boats I have seen with similar style upholstery recently were Azimuts, but even this was not up to the US standard.
As for Jif/Cif, used ot for 7 years on our last boat, a Sunseeker, and always seemsed to work fine. Tried all the other products but they were overpriced and useless. What will the long term problems be with it? I am confused. It is not a strong substance and not massively abbrasive if you use it carefully and after 7 years the SS upholstery was still fine.
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Still doesn't answer the question as to why UK boats have c**p upholstery with "leatherette" grain in them which is what catches all the dirt.
As I said before, the US-style boat vinyl (on all but the cheapest brands) is much better, and doesn't have the silly grain either. The only European boats I have seen with similar style upholstery recently were Azimuts, but even this was not up to the US standard.
As for Jif/Cif, used ot for 7 years on our last boat, a Sunseeker, and always seemsed to work fine. Tried all the other products but they were overpriced and useless. What will the long term problems be with it? I am confused. It is not a strong substance and not massively abbrasive if you use it carefully and after 7 years the SS upholstery was still fine.
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sealine
New member
Hi
we had the same problem, out of desperation we tried garden patio cleared b&Qs own make, and they come up a treat only cost £2.30 to boot. now its part of my on board cleaning kit.
John
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we had the same problem, out of desperation we tried garden patio cleared b&Qs own make, and they come up a treat only cost £2.30 to boot. now its part of my on board cleaning kit.
John
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derekh
Member
I have a simple solution for the suncream. It works every year. I keep my boat at Coleraine, northern Ireland. We don't need sun cream.
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