Vinyl cleaners?

[SteveInOakland]

I did a search and found many helpful posts. Need something potent but not harmful -- have a 1973 white interior and want to save at least some of it. I can get the oil-like stuff off, it's the general dirtiness that's hard. I already used Fantastik, which is often good with that kind of thing; not so good here.

After reading something by Enrique, I hit the West Marine site and turned up these options:

3M Vinyl Cleaner/Restorer 17.99

MEGUIARS Heavy-Duty Vinyl Cleaner $11.99

MEGUIARS Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner From $11.79 USD

STARBRITE Plastic Polish/Restorer $9.49 USD

STARBRITE Vinyl Shampoo $7.99 USD

STARBRITE Vinyl Polish & Cleaner $13.49 USD

WEST MARINE One Step Plastic Cleaner/Polish $7.99 USD

WEST MARINE Vinyl Cleaner $7.99

Preferences? Suggestions?

Thanks,

Steve

[kenz240z]

I've had good luck with the Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber cleaner/conditioner. Also, Windex will help remove any old Armor All.

[26th-Z]

Check out this web site. http://www.carcareonline.com/ I buy a lot of stuff from them. Highest regards.

Chris

[Carl Beck]

HI Steve:

All the listed products are simply detergents and none are magic cleaners. Anything that will remove stains and deep ground-in dirt from 33 year old vinyl - will in some way also be harmful to the vinyl. The question then becomes how much harm can you afford to do, without wasting the item your trying to save.

So far, the best cleaner I've found for vinyl that can be cleaned..(and I repeat that many times the old vinyl simply can not be)... is "SoftScrub" - the kitchen counter top cleaner, second best is the Orange Hand Cleaner... both have a slightly gritty consistency.

A better approach - that actually can do less damage to the vinyl - Don't try to clean the item to "as new" condition - it isn't new and it never will be again. Clean it as best you can with any good detergent, rinse it off, and let it dry in the warm sunshine. When it's warm, wipe it down with lacquer thinner and re-dye it with SEM Vinyl Dye. (SEM products are sold by most Automotive Paint and Supply Stores).

Good luck,

Carl B.

72 Metallic Blue 240-Z with white interior

[Marty Rogan]

Hi Steve,

I have a '72 LeMans Sport Convertible with a white interior. What I have been using for years to clean it is TSP. It stands for Tri-sodium phosphate. TSP was the active ingredient that they used to use in laundary detergent. they stopped using it long ago because of environmental concerns.

TSP works really well to get old ground in dirt off. You need to rinse it well when you are done. I have never had it harm the vinyl. But like Carl says, it will never look brand new again. I have also used SEM with excellent results and recommend it highly.

Good luck!

Marty

[zman525]

some retard painted my red vinyl blac... im trying to scrub it off and its slowly coming... and recommendations for that? ...im really mad and determined to make it red again. i didnt think u could paint vinyl and have it stick wel... any input on that would be great

[ricksaia]

The best stuff I have found is Purple Cleaner from Car Quest. It eats dirt and grease, but is safe for all vinyls. It also does wonders for degreasing engine compartments. It is a citrus base, so it is biodegradible. Been using it for years, love it. Rick.

[kenz240z]

Hi Zman525, I think you should be able to make your vinyl red again. Try the method Carl Beck suggested (post #4 in this thread). I've used the SEM dye before to turn a dark green vinyl dash into blue. Worked great!

[zman525]

k thx... the red underneath it is mint, i dont get why someone would ever paint it! makes no sense...

[MikeW]

Hi Zman525, I think you should be able to make your vinyl red again. Try the method Carl Beck suggested (post #4 in this thread). I've used the SEM dye before to turn a dark green vinyl dash into blue. Worked great!

I've used SEM as well but at least on the door panels - which were originally tan but changed to black by a previous owner - I at least tried to remove as much of the black as possible using cotton balls and acetone. This was because the old black was cracking and flaking in places and I didn't want to just cover that up with new dye. I suppose it all depends on the condition of the top layer.

[zman525]

the top layer is flaking in many places. and scrubs offf with much effort... i think ill just use a mix of these ideas ( sorry for stealin this thread btw i didnt wanna make a new one and clutter the site more) thanks!