www.iFourWinns.com

All,

What do you use to clean the exterior seating area? What have you found (chemicals & techniques) that keeps your seats in good clean order? My seats are in good condition and I want to keep them that way. That being said, I do notice a little difference in the color from the beginning of the summer.

Thanks a ton!

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2000 23.8 Four Winns Vista
Windermere

We use a spray vinyl cleaner - can't remember the brand name. I also use Greased Lightning for difficult spots/stains. I'm sure even a mild soap & water mix would work as well.

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2006 348 Vista
"some days you're the bug and some days you're the windshield"

For the vinyl seats Serious Marine Cleaner can't be beat.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Some may frown upon this, but I have used this technique for years and never had an issue.

To clean the seats I use Simple Green. It's non-toxic, so no worries about over-spray or spillage in the water. It cleans very well.

I follow this up with Meguiars Gold Class Leather Cleaner / Conditioner. IMO, this is better than other conditioners because it has UV protection. In essence, it's sunblock for your seats. Works great and it doesn't leave a greasy film.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Boat surveyor gave me this trick.
I use vinyl cleaner, but with a "magic eraser" sponge. Works better than a rag or regular sponge.

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2003 248 Vista on Lake Champlain

What I have learned.

1. Blue Jeans on a hot day is not good for your white seats. They blead blue dye into them. A mess to clean up. (Magic Eraser)

2. Do not allow wet magazines or newspaper on your seats. Ink will blead onto your seats. (Magic Eraser)

3. Make people take their shoes off. Some think nothing about standing on your nice clean seats. (303 Cleaner)

4. I hate toenail polish. My Daughter gets it all over my Boat. (Toenail polish remover or Magic Eraser will remove it).

5. Buy every cleaner known to man and try them all with the exception of Amor All it turns your seats yellow.

6. Carry a bat to deal with those that violate rules 1-3. Daughter gets away with the Toenail Polish, no bat

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Dealer told me from day one to use 'orange' cleaner for the upholstery. It made with citrus oil and works really well as well as smelling nice. I remember using this stuff years ago to get printing ink off my hands - worked great then and still does today... Sometimes the 'old school' stuff still works!

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Thanks guys...these are all great ideas and I will see what works best.

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2000 23.8 Four Winns Vista
Windermere

303 seems to have the highest rated UV blocking out of them all.

To clean vinyl? The best stuff out there and an old "hot rodders" trick is WD40. Clean with WD40, wash down with normal soap/water, then apply UV protectant. Personally I've saved myself a lot of $$ with old cars by cleaning the interior vinyls with WD40, it brings new life to vinyl

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

http://www.lexol.com/category_vinylex.aspx

http://www.lexol.com/Product_vinylex.aspx

This was recommended to me recently and I was very impressed with the cleaning ability and liked the UV protection and low sheen. I've used magic erasers before but worry about how aggressive they are.

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260