www.iFourWinns.com

So, my front seat pads on my Funship are getting gummy and I haven't been able to get rid of that feel. It gets pretty hot in Escondido under the blue cover (turns my boat into an oven). Normal washing hasn't resolved the problem.
Any ideas about a product which might bring the vinyl back to life, or at least stop it from breaking down further?

Thanks,

Erik.

try 303

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Four winns 180 horizon

Sounds like Armorall has claimed another victim. I'm not sure how to get it off, although I would think there's a way to. If you do get it off, use 303 Aerospace Protectant from now on. Armorall=BAD, BAD.

You might call an auto/marine upholstery shop and ask their advice.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

No, never used armorall....

I'll give the 303 a try and possibly the Maguires product.

Thanks - I'll post back the results.

Sorry - I was thinking you bought your boat from someone else. I have no idea what would cause that other than armorall.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

My concern is that the vinyl is breaking down due to heat and possibly one of the aerosol sunscreens that people use nowadays? Pure conjecture on the sunscreen...
Last night I scubbed one of the seats pretty well with Meguiar's Vinyl cleaner. It looks considerably better, but still has a tacky feel to it as opposed to being nice and smooth.
Would 303 lay down a barrier coat on the vinyl? Or is that not the way it works?

Thanks!

303 is primarily a UV blocker. It's got other stuff in it as well, but I don't think it would hide or suitably cover whatever it is that's on your seats.

I've heard of sunblock discoloring vinyl, but not physically altering it's structure. Strange.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

One thought - inspect the seats carefully, is the gummy area only on the area of the seat where one sits, or is it all over the seat? I'm thinking that identification of the cause may help with selecting the cure. If it is only in the area of the seat where one sits, lotions, oils or bug sprays is likely the cause. If it's front and back, but not beneath the seat, very possibly a cleaning product (as 230 Mike suggests) is the cause. I say not beneath, because folks generally clean what they can see, and not underneath things like boat seats.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Hi Jim,

The gummy (really more of a tacky feel) area is pretty much where one would usually sit. The sides and ends of the seats feel more or less normal to me.
So far I have tried:
Meguiar's Heavy Duty Vinyl cleaner
Meguiar's Vinyl Cleaner/Protector
303
Babes Vinyl protector

I'm thinking that I'll take the seats down to the dealer and/or an upholstery shop and see what they have to say also.

Any input much appreciated!

I don't know about where you are, but here in Kansas City we've got a couple of upholstery shops that can diagnose/fix/replace/fabricate anything. I'd bet a good shop can get to the bottom of it right quick.

My kids started using one of the aerosol sunblocks this year for the first time, and the policy is that you put it on outside of the boat before getting in, for just this reason. Also, in our boat, if you have sunblock on you have to sit on a towel.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Seems like a prudent set of rules.....

Thanks - I'll try to find someone good out here to take a look at them.

Happy 4th everyone - boat safe if you're out there!

EvilZ, I saw on the 303products website some information indicating that suntan lotion type sunblock can absorb into vinyl and harm it. I suspect this is where your issue came from. If you are (were) told by local upholstry shops that replacement is the only option, then I'd be tempted to try some cleaning agents that would otherwise be considered harmful to vinyl in a last ditch effort to remove the gumminess (like dishwashing liquid, acetone, or adhesive remover). I'd then hit the vinyl several times over the next few days with something like 303 Aerospace protectant. One thing's for certain, no more sunblock covered skin on the seats, sit on a towel or swim!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Just going thu some old post and read this. If the vinyl hasnt been replaced try using Mr Clean Magic eraser. I have used this on a small stain which lead to doing all my vinyl due to how much dirt and gunk it pulled out

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97 205 Sundowner

Can't they just put the sunblock on in the garage Mike?

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

No joy on this problem - finally took the seats in to get reupholstered and hope to have them back on Saturday. Guy said to not use anything to clean the seats except soapy water....

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe