Vinyl seat stain removal

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Avocet

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I wonder if anyone can help me with this one, please? Avocet's saloon cushions are a sort of cream-coloured, grained vinyl (at least, I think they are vinyl)! There are a few stains on them that I can't remove. One, in particular, looks like it might have chemically eaten into the vinyl. Not sure if it's diesel, or varnish or somesuch. Detergents certainly won't touch it. I've tried solvents like isopropyl alcohol and meths, but am reluctant to try anything else in case I melt the plastic! All suggestions gratefully received...
 
Avocet said:
I wonder if anyone can help me with this one, please? Avocet's saloon cushions are a sort of cream-coloured, grained vinyl (at least, I think they are vinyl)! There are a few stains on them that I can't remove. One, in particular, looks like it might have chemically eaten into the vinyl. Not sure if it's diesel, or varnish or somesuch. Detergents certainly won't touch it. I've tried solvents like isopropyl alcohol and meths, but am reluctant to try anything else in case I melt the plastic! All suggestions gratefully received...
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Be very carefull with solvents. A definite "no" to acetone and MEK ( butanone,) also to most of the solvents found in antifouling and other paint thinners.

If really vinyl it should not be harmed by some dilute hypochlorite bleach but even if it works it may be slow.
 
VicS said:
Be very carefull with solvents. A definite "no" to acetone and MEK ( butanone,) also to most of the solvents found in antifouling and other paint thinners.

If really vinyl it should not be harmed by some dilute hypochlorite bleach but even if it works it may be slow.
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We had a couple on board a few weeks after purchase and the lady was wearing dark leather type trousers. Next morning we spotted a stain where she had been sitting. I realised prompt action was needed and we tried a variety of things on a small part of the least visible area.

Methylated spirits, IPA, carbon tetrachloride, bleach (followed by sodium metabusulphite), petrol. In fact anything I could get my hands on quickly. Obviously not acetone.

Nothing worked and we had to replace the cushion. We tested a few things on the old cushion and virtually everything left a stain. Don't even think of dabbing a biro point on cream vinyl and trying to remove the stain immediately.

The designer must have been mad to use cream vinyl and they do seem to be quite common.

My wife made up covers for the seating area but left the backs uncovered. We clean all the cushions twice each year and they are still fine. Starbrite vinyl cleaner does remove grime and sometimes very light stains. We also treat the vinyl with something to keep it supple but can't the name of the product.

I would be very surprised if O/P can remove the marks on his cream vinyl.
 
I don’t think much can be done based on marks on cream car seats from jeans . It might be worth speaking to a car seat specialist though for advice - it might be vinyl is not the same as cleaning Connelly leather but they might have advice which is of use.
 
I have had various stains on white vinyl including one from denim jeans and print from a supermarket carrier bag. They cleanaed off eventually.
I would avoid harsh chemicals as it may rot the stitching and can caus ethe vinyl to become hard and split - I know this from experience .
My current preference for cleaning vinyl (and GRP or any plastics ) is Silky Cream Cleaner. The use of a leather conditioner may help keep the vinyl flexible and offfer some UV protection.
Silky Caravan Cleaner - 480ml


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