www.iFourWinns.com

Can some of you share your experiences and tips on how to get out tough stains on vinyl cushions? Also, what do you guys use to keep/bring back the shine of your colored gelcoat?

I've been using the following....keep in mind my boat is not very old, 5 yrs, and im not looking to remove any ten year old oxidation or anything like that.

For tough spots on fiberglass or gelcoat:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=GSQPSZNL4HgsH8PTZGX97RglGSJS11T0NCbl

For polishing entire hull and fiberglass sufaces:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=XFX9V9980KgsH8PTZGX97Rgl363763TK99bl

For vinyl:
http://www.shop3m.com/3m-marine-vinyl-cleaner-conditioner-and-protector.html

I find the wax works great, but this vinyl cleaner doesn't get anything more than minor scuffs out.

Thanks.

I hope someone suggests a vinyl cleaner that works; the dye from my red cockpit cover is being been absorbed into the top of my off-white vinyl seats, where the cover is in continual contact. I've not been able to shift the pink stains with anything (including some spot application in some small areas of fairly aggressive solvents not available to the general public; nothing shifts the stains). Year on year the vinyl is getting pinker and pinker!.

I'm assuming it's the red cover that is doing this; but maybe it's the same problem that occured in the UK a few years ago with uPVC windows; a faulty or low antioxidant level, that caused white windows to turn pink!

Graham

Anyone use this one?

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/176650125.htm

For vinyl I have had very good luck with Magic Erasers and Meguiar's products.
No. 57 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner
No. 39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner
No. 64 Flagship Premium Vinyl & Rubber Protectant
For very tuff stains I have had great success with using a Magic Eraser and the #39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner.

For gelcoat I have not seen anything better than Meguiar’s No. 63 Flagship Premium Marine Wax .

Lots of good information here http://marinerv.meguiars.com/

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Add more life to your days, not more days to your life.

3M Vinyl cleaner worked better for me , McG's leaves seats kind of "greasy",and it doesn't clean as well .
Rich

I also use MMG's #57 and it does do a good job of cleaning and conditioning the vinyl but as the previous posted stated, it does leave the seats greasy. Best to apply it a few hours before guests arrive. Good product though but will give 3M's a try next time.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I use soft scrub with bleach on hard stains. I try to keep it off the stitching as much as I can.

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FW reccomend 303 Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner. http://www.303products.com/. Should be available in the UK Graham - I can get it here in Oz from the local auto accessory shop...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

When dealing with vinyl you REALLY want to avoid using anything BUT cleaners designed for it. Especially vinyl that's out in direct sunlight all the time. The plasticizers in vinyl (the stuff that keeps it flexible/supple) are very sensitive to solvent-like cleaners. You won't see the damage right away. Well, not unless you something disastrous like acetone on it. But over time you'll feel it getting stiffer and cracking much sooner than it should have. No boat materials will last forever in harsh outdoor/marine conditions, but using the right cleaners will postpone the damage.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista