How can I restore the vinyl?

B

BocaDon

New Member
Oct 10, 2006
12
Boca Raton, FL
A few months ago I used Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser pad to clean stains off of the white backrest of the stern seat. It did a great job but now that section looks like the color is disappearing and the section is turning a speckled gray. It does not come off and I am afraid that the Magic Eraser contained something that is bleaching the color out.
Any thoughts on how to correct this?

Thanks...again
 
vinyl restoration

Unfortunately it is possible the bleach/cleaner in the eraser pad 'ate' the color layer of the vinyl and it cannot be restored. Vinyls have a mixture of chemicals in them that are constantly being expelled as the vinyl ages. UV has taken its toll as well as the natural aging process. Start getting bids on recovering or finding new skins - its probably about due for an update anyway. Or sell the boat and get a newer (and bigger!) one.
 
We've used Magic Erasers to clean our vinyl seats regularly since we got the boat two seasons ago and have not had any issues with color changes or fading. I didn't think it had any cleaners embedded -- although I see there's a new one with "foaming cleaner". We've used the white or white/blue pads without the cleaner.

Perhaps something else caused the problem -- did you try removing the stains with any other cleaners/solvents before using the Eraser? Are the seats covered when you're not using the boat?

Perhaps 303 Vinyl Protector will help restore them.

Jeff
 
Having been in the fabris business.. I'm afraid 'whosyourdaddy' is right. Age and the chemicals in the cleaner have about done it in at those spots. I'd think those spots are very weak now... are they somewhat brittle also?

Perhpas a vinyl guy can help you if you don't want to go the whole skin.
 
Larry, That's very alarming -- should I not use the erasers as frequently, then? I spray the seats with 303 after each cleaning.

Jeff
 
Hmmm. Now I'm confused. That link is to the MSDS for the Erasers, but according to wikipedia:

melamine foam is a foam-like material consisting of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. The foam, because of its microporous properties, may remove otherwise "uncleanable" external markings from relatively smooth surfaces. For example, it can remove crayon, magic marker, and grease from painted walls, finished wood, and hub caps.

The open cell foam is not only microporous, but its polymeric substance is also extremely hard. This means it is actually working like sandpaper but on a very small scale, getting into tiny grooves and pits in the subject being cleaned. Because the bubbles interconnect, its structure ends up being more like a maze of fibreglass strands than like the array of separate bubbles in, for example, styrofoam.

Melamine foam is safe to use for cleaning as long as the manufacturer's instructions are followed. If applied to the skin, especially in sensitive areas such as the face, irritation may occur.

From their entry at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde-melamine-sodium_bisulfite_copolymer

Also see the entry at about.com:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_mr_clean_magic_erasers.htm

But then there's
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0913181926569.html?9


So is it safe or not?
 
Magic Erasers, like all other cleaning products, have their place. If you can't get your vinyl clean with anything else, then I would use them. But I would use something like Spray Nine for regular cleaning of the seats. Likewise, if you use 303 protectant, your seats should not get dirty as easily as with no protectant and you should not have to use magic erasers as often to clean stubborn dirt and stains.
 
I think I wasn't very clear -- I use them when needed to get the vinyl clean. Unfortunately, with my crew, that's pretty often :smt013 , so we end up needing to clean the seats regularly. I hesitate to use any chemical cleaners on the vinyl for the same reasons as Whosyourdaddy, and figured if I'm gentle the scrubbing of the Eraser wouldn't be much worse than using a still brush.

After reading the info at the links I copied above, I'm comfortable that there aren't any hazardous or destructive chemicals in the Erasers.

And I agree, 303 Vinyl Protector is a requirement any time I clean the vinyl regardless of the cleaning method.

Jeff
 
I use the Roll Off product for vinyl and fiberglass deck and even woodwork. If it can't get something out I then move on to the magic erasers. Always finish with the 303 protectant.
Eddie
 
I have had two spots which did not want to come clean and I used the Magic Eraser quickly then, wased whatever the Magic eraser has in it off. After that put a Vinyl protectant on there. I think it was a Meguirs or Armour All product( I forget). Anyway, we have made some terry towel covers for the seats so if one of the munchkins or ourselves steps on the seats or spills something, the vinyl doesn't take the brunt of it.
Best of Luck.
 
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