Another vinyl cleaning thread.

[Theryan]

I did a bunch of searching on here, and it seems like the general consensus is that 303 AP is the preferred stuff to get, so I ordered some and it should be here this week.

My question is this: do you have any idea what in the world these stains are?! The guy that I bought it from said that it's from a tree dropping on it, but I've tried cleaners to magic erasers and cannot get this shit to go away, at all.

Hoping that 303 does the trick, but wondering if you have any idea what these might even be, and any suggestions for getting it out.

 

[anmut]

Looks like tree sap. Tree sap can be removed with fingernail polish remover, but be careful about too much on vinyl.

 

[adrianp89]

I considered using steam cleaning to clean the seats. Haven't tried yet though. I have seen some videos of it working magic.

 

[Theryan]

Looks like tree sap. Tree sap can be removed with fingernail polish remover, but be careful about too much on vinyl.

So you do think it is actually tree sap? When the cleaners I had were working (side note: vinyl sauce or whatever it's called is a piece of junk) I started to question if they were like cigarette burns or something.

I'll have to see if I have any nail polish remover. I'd assume I'd want to go over it with protectant afterwards?

 

[the MfM]

I’d try simple green on that.

 

[anmut]

So you do think it is actually tree sap? When the cleaners I had were working (side note: vinyl sauce or whatever it's called is a piece of junk) I started to question if they were like cigarette burns or something.

I'll have to see if I have any nail polish remover. I'd assume I'd want to go over it with protectant afterwards?

Yeah, to me it looks like tree sap from a leaf that sat on the vinyl too long. Nail polish remover is a mild acetone, it will act as a solvent to anything it touches. I would follow up with the Vinyl Sauce or some 303 protection.

 

[Dave burke]

I had a bunch of tree sap on my car last year and tried several different cleaners. Nothing worked. Then the car wash guy said try hand sanitizer and it worked. You have to let it soak in and may require a few applications but it did work.

 

[Theryan]

I had a bunch of tree sap on my car last year and tried several different cleaners. Nothing worked. Then the car wash guy said try hand sanitizer and it worked. You have to let it soak in and may require a few applications but it did work.

Well, that's a strange one. At this point, I'm not above trying it. Is that actually safe to use, though? Wouldn't rubbing alcohol be pretty much the same thing?

 

[Elliott]

If it is tree sap, you can remove it safely with a citrus degreaser, and you can let it soak without any problems. I would use that before any caustic chemicals.

 

[Dave burke]

Mill

Well, that's a strange one. At this point, I'm not above trying it. Is that actually safe to use, though? Wouldn't rubbing alcohol be pretty much the same thing?

I was a bit worried but tried it because nothing else worked. Didn’t harm the paint at all. It was a pretty high end metallic finish as well.

That being said, I’ve never heard of a citric degreaser so you might want to try that first.

 

[pcriley]

I did a bunch of searching on here, and it seems like the general consensus is that 303 AP is the preferred stuff to get, so I ordered some and it should be here this week.

My question is this: do you have any idea what in the world these stains are?! The guy that I bought it from said that it's from a tree dropping on it, but I've tried cleaners to magic erasers and cannot get this shit to go away, at all.

Hoping that 303 does the trick, but wondering if you have any idea what these might even be, and any suggestions for getting it out.

I think 303 AP is really just a protectant. When I deep clean my vinyl i use the 303 cleaner and then the 303 AP to seal/protect.

 

[Theryan]

I think 303 AP is really just a protectant. When I deep clean my vinyl i use the 303 cleaner and then the 303 AP to seal/protect.

I thought so, too, but @swatski swears by it.

 

[Ogtbagger]

I considered using steam cleaning to clean the seats. Haven't tried yet though. I have seen some videos of it working magic.

I have a steamer and I have been wanting to try it. I have not seen any threads on it though. I might give it a shot this weekend.

 

[Jilly Ruby Jane]

Marine vinyl of 3M, works on our boat very well. However our boat is only a couple of months old. Needed something to get the spider marks off, which this did a very good job. I like the fact of cleaning & protecting in one step.

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

Looks like semen to me.... ?

 

[yjander]

Anyone have issues with ants in your boat after using Boat Bling products. I think the pina colada smell is attracting them like crazy. When I was using Mary Kate cleaner, I didn't have that issue, but I recently switched over to vinyl sauce.

 

[Jane305]

You can consider CarGuys multi-surface vinyl cleaner, It will clean even the most unusual dirt such as tree sap, bird poop, grease, and other similar dirt. It does not leave any greasy residue which is normal coming from a regular cleaner.

 

[jdkaeser]

Found a guy on the hull truth site who said to apply Soft Scrub with Bleach to the areas, let sit overnight. Keep off the stitching as it will degrade the thread. I would maybe test it on the underside of one of the seats overnight first to make sure it doesn't discolor.

 

[Sx240]

My buddy always uses wd40 on his seats any thoughts on that before I try it? I’m a first time boat owner so not sure.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Well, that's a strange one. At this point, I'm not above trying it. Is that actually safe to use, though? Wouldn't rubbing alcohol be pretty much the same thing?

Hand sanitizer works wonders on removing tree sap. The active ingredient is isopropyl alcohol.

As mentioned by @jdkaeser, soft scrub with bleach may work as well. A lot of old salts use soft scrub to clean up their rigs. Just use a soft brush and work it slowly.