Hard & Brittle Seats

[okula225]

Hey Guys, new owner of a 2006 ar 230 here. Purchased the boat in the cold, seats are in good condition, no fading, or large cracks, however they are pretty hard. Any remedies to soften and bring the seats back to their baby smooth past? Just concerned with them cracking if not addressed soon.

Also have some very tiny cracks in the top portions of the seats, in the gray thinner vinyl areas. Any remedies for this? Was thinking of using a permatex adhesive sealant and then rustoleum vinyl spray to fill in the small accent areas. Any success here?

 

[Julian]

How cold was it when you sat on them? Could the cushions have been left exposed and wet and then frozen? Not heard of anyone complaining of "hard" seats before.

 

[BlkGS]

My seats were sort of hard and rough when i bought my boat. I knew it needed new seats when I bought it. If it's like mine, they were slightly discolored as well, and need replaced. You could maybe try to repaint them, but of the vinyl has started to break down it's probably a losing effort.

 

[Liveto99]

Will the sauce help? It keeps the new ones looking great. Someone will jump in that knows.

 

[okula225]

How cold was it when you sat on them? Could the cushions have been left exposed and wet and then frozen? Not heard of anyone complaining of "hard" seats before.

It was about 40 degrees, will see what happens when they warm up. Plan on using a conditioner, heard some guys had success with softening seats up that way.

 

[okula225]

Will the sauce help? It keeps the new ones looking great. Someone will jump in that knows.

Which sauce exactly?

 

[okula225]

My seats were sort of hard and rough when i bought my boat. I knew it needed new seats when I bought it. If it's like mine, they were slightly discolored as well, and need replaced. You could maybe try to repaint them, but of the vinyl has started to break down it's probably a losing effort.

They really aren't that rough, I think they've just dried out a bit. Color still looks good. Heard some guys had luck with mineral oil to re hydrate them and then using a 303 vinyl cleaner and conditioner on them. If no luck, I'll replace them next winter.

 

[Julian]

Which sauce exactly?

He's probably talking about the Boat Bling line of products, they make a Vinyl Sauce and conditioner. I use them on my boat and think it keeps my seats like new.

 

[okula225]

He's probably talking about the Boat Bling line of products, they make a Vinyl Sauce and conditioner. I use them on my boat and think it keeps my seats like new.

Just purchased, will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks!

 

[Liveto99]

Yes that’s it. I just tried it last week for the first time they look great.

 

[Dwrat]

Nothing will make them soft again.
I say this after trying everything out there for my old tritoon.
Edit:
I just did a quick search and found this. Vinyl Softener by Leather Magic! Restore Stiff, Brittle Vinyl Back to Original
Will it work, I don't know but if I still had my old boat I would give it a try.