Upholstery Cleaner

[duke]

Anyone have any recommendations for a really good upholstery cleaner? Specifically the seats. Just bought and the seats are in need of a heavy cleaning. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Looking for something to restore to like new condition.

[FHMan1905]

i use Fantastic and finish with 303.....but my seats don't need a "heavy" cleaning but it is worth a try...just whatever you use when you get them clean go over them with 303....great protectant from the sun....great on the hull too...does the same sealing on the hull as the seats...good luck

[sand2snow22]

This stuff is supposed to be the best. She claims magic erasers are hard on the vinyl after awhile, this stuff isn't. I'd follow with 303. Too bad I just picked up some Boat Bling vinyl cleaner:(

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Exquisite-Boat-Vinyl-Upholstery-Cleaner_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1 116QQitemZ320220631661

[sand2snow22]

Dang, after reading this, I really should get some now!

http://www.wakeboatworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=1

[brucemac]

yeah, been wanting to try that exquisite

just been using mild soap and water, magic erasers as needed and finished with lots of 303.

[flipper]

I like babe's seat soap. Works pretty good for me

[CHaus21]

I'll second babes...

[ntidsl]

i third and fourth babes!!!

[Sodar]

Zep Vinyl Cleaner I have heard is awesome.... just throwing all the options out there!

[atlfootr]

Another vote for Babes, that's 5!

[JerryS]

I use the stuff developed by G&T Vinyl. It's called EphX. It is the stuff recomended by MC in the literature included with the boat - but under it's new name.

Here's the description.

"EpHX Vinyl cleaner scientifically formulated exclusively for G&T Industries, the world's largest supplier of marine grade vinyl (and the supplier to Correct Craft/Nautiques). No watered down cleaner, this pH balanced formula will easily tackle the toughest soil/grime, but will not damage the surface of your vinyl or leave an oily residue. It is one of the few cleaners that will NOT harm your vinyl. 16FL OZ Spray Bottle."

I got it here, but I declined the free CC stickers they offered when I placed the order :)

http://www.shopwhitelake.com/epvicl.html

[Jerseydave]

MDR Krazy Clean for regular cleaning...........recommend to me by my MC dealer, and works well.
I use magic eraser on really dirty areas, follow with 303.

[jgarner]

I was going to order some of the Equisite cleaner and try it, but the shipping was way to much in my opinion. The shipping is more than the price of the cleaner...

[P-hat_in_Cincy]

I was going to order some of the Equisite cleaner and try it, but the shipping was way to much in my opinion. The shipping is more than the price of the cleaner...
I kinda thought the same thing so I did a 'best offer' which they accepted. Took some money off and I get to try it out.

Well...after getting it, I see I have a lot of work ahead of me! I had grown to think my vinyl was a light "Dove Grey", but after putting this stuff on...well, take a look for yourself (cr@ppy phone pic).

[bigmac]

Fantastik is specifically off the list of approved vinyl cleaners, according to G&T, the vinyl supplier to MasterCraft. I've used 303 cleaner, Meguairs, Babes and others. Magic Eraser works fine in extreme circumstances, but by far the best I've used has been Vinyl Finish, which is made/marketed by Global Products Solutions, the division of G&T that does vinyl products. It's worth noting that GPS makes the 303 products.

For protection, they recommend 303 Protectant (as you'd expect). For cleaning they recommend Vinyl Finish, which is soon to be unavailable, replaced by Ephyx Vinyl Cleaner.

FYI, here are the cleaning recommendations from the company that manufactured your vinyl upholstery:

http://www.gtglobalproductsolutions.com/marine/vinyl_cleaning_guide.pdf


Note specifically that they do not recommend
Formula 409
Murphy's Oil Soap
Simple Green
Armorall
Bleach
Baking Soda
Fantastik

[Prostar19]

Babes Babes Babes. I use it with a soft brush then wipe it off. It even gets the yellow out of the threads

[Sodar]

Fantastik is specifically off the list of approved vinyl cleaners, according to G&T, the vinyl supplier to MasterCraft. I've used 303 cleaner, Meguairs, Babes and others. Magic Eraser works fine in extreme circumstances, but by far the best I've used has been Vinyl Finish, which is made/marketed by Global Products Solutions, the division of G&T that does vinyl products. It's worth noting that GPS makes the 303 products.

For protection, they recommend 303 Protectant (as you'd expect). For cleaning they recommend Vinyl Finish, which is soon to be unavailable, replaced by Ephyx Vinyl Cleaner.

FYI, here are the cleaning recommendations from the company that manufactured your vinyl upholstery:

http://www.gtglobalproductsolutions.com/marine/vinyl_cleaning_guide.pdf



Note specifically that they do not recommend

Formula 409
Murphy's Oil Soap
Simple Green
Armorall
Bleach
Baking Soda
Fantastik



Great info, BigMac! I stopped using Fanastic a few months ago, because I was just not happy with the performance of it. I think I am going to try some of the GPS stuff. Just what I need ANOTHER cleaning product! :rolleyes:

[jpattigr]

Just used babes tonight for the first time and was blown away at how good the seats look! I have tried many types of cleaners on my seats and nothing has ever worked this well!!
BABES all the way!:D
Glad I bought a 1 Gallon jug!

[TexasMC230]

Babes and 303 for me. Babes also makes a seat conditioner that works well

[TMCNo1]

Babe's makes 6

[Monte]

Fantastik is specifically off the list of approved vinyl cleaners, according to G&T, the vinyl supplier to MasterCraft. I've used 303 cleaner, Meguairs, Babes and others. Magic Eraser works fine in extreme circumstances, but by far the best I've used has been Vinyl Finish, which is made/marketed by Global Products Solutions, the division of G&T that does vinyl products. It's worth noting that GPS makes the 303 products.

For protection, they recommend 303 Protectant (as you'd expect). For cleaning they recommend Vinyl Finish, which is soon to be unavailable, replaced by Ephyx Vinyl Cleaner.

FYI, here are the cleaning recommendations from the company that manufactured your vinyl upholstery:

http://www.gtglobalproductsolutions.com/marine/vinyl_cleaning_guide.pdf


Note specifically that they do not recommend
Formula 409
Murphy's Oil Soap
Simple Green
Armorall
Bleach
Baking Soda
Fantastik


I asked my uphosltery guy why that is. "Simple they dry the vinyl out" Just FYI

[3event]

What type of brush is best? I am thinking about getting the stitching/seams clean.....

[T Scott]

What type of brush is best? I am thinking about getting the stitching/seams clean.....


I use a large paint brush and cut the bristles to only about an inch long. I think the finer bristles do a better job getting deep into the vinyl as apposed to a regular scrub brush. :twocents:

[bigmac]

I asked my uphosltery guy why that is. "Simple they dry the vinyl out" Just FYI

The problems with upholstery damage from various non-approved cleaning chemicals takes a few forms --
discoloration
damage to stitching (bleaches)
damage to gloss
cracking due to extraction of plasticizers (silicone based protectants like ArmorAll)
damage to protective coatings (abrasives, solvents)

[flipper]

Good info, thanks bigmac

[Hollywood]

bigmac, on your .pdf link the cleaner looks like it's changed names again. I have never bought any serious vinyl cleaning products but am thinking about it.

From the G&T product line:

Vinyl Finish -> Ephyx Vinyl Cleaner -> ZCare™ LVP Marine Cleaner

Is this correct?

[kevinNeal]

Where can you get 303 at?
Thanks

[flipper]

Overtons, west marine, Barts, and pretty much any detail shop

[kevinNeal]

Where can you get 303?
Thanks

[Hollywood]

Where can you get 303?
Thanks

Where can you get reading glasses at?

Overtons, west marine, Barts, and pretty much any detail shop

[Sodar]

Here is your closest West Marine....

34235 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA
92629-2895

or you can get smaller bottles at the auto parts store and I have even seen it at Ace Hardware and Lowe's

[flipper]

Where can you get reading glasses at?

:uglyhamme:uglyhamme