Treat Vinyl Before or After Storage

[thinkxingu]

Hi All, I'm bringing the boat in to storage tomorrow and am wondering if I should treat the vinyl seats before I bring it in or when I pick it up in spring. It will be stored indoors, was new in spring, and has been covered all summer except for when we've had it out. Thanks!

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[SAB1]

I treat mine periodically through the season with 303 aerospace protectant as well going into and out of storage

[DBreskin]

Marine vinyl is pretty durable. I have a small white section on my doghouse (engine cover) that started to discolor last year. It's the original vinyl from 1992 so I can't complain.

I suggest you check with the manufacturer for their recommendation. I don't think protecting it too often will harm anything other than your bank account.

[Rich]

Just make sure the vinyl is clean and dry. Dry is the most important to prevent mold growth.

If clean and dry, it will be fine.

If you can keep it out of the sun, that will help also as UV will deteriorate it over time, but you already said it would be indoors.

[eyvoom]

Hi All, I'm bringing the boat in to storage tomorrow and am wondering if I should treat the vinyl seats before I bring it in or when I pick it up in spring. It will be stored indoors, was new in spring, and has been covered all summer except for when we've had it out. Thanks!

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I would do both. Something like a 303 aerospace protectant would be ideal. It can only help. You won't notice a difference next year or the year after, but down the road it will make a world of difference. Over time the vinyl will shrink and separate at the seams. Treating the vinyl often will help prevent this.

[thinkxingu]

Hi! Now that the boat's out of storage, I need to know what to use for cleaning/treating vinyl seats. I've heard Mean Green and 303 Protectant are a good combo, but am looking for suggestions.

Thanks!

[Rattletrap]

Hi! Now that the boat's out of storage, I need to know what to use for cleaning/treating vinyl seats. I've heard Mean Green and 303 Protectant are a good combo, but am looking for suggestions.

Thanks!
303 multi surface to clean 303 Vinyl protect to protect nothing like it

[VitaBene]

303 protectant hands down. I clean with "Amazing", "Awesome" (both Amazon Prime cleaners) or Simple Green. For spring cleaning I use a bucket with a little soap, warm water and Simple Green on the entire interior including the rugs, compartments and under seats, etc... then a lot of wet vac work!.

Regardless of what you use to clean 303 all the way for vinyl (they also make a great leather protectant that I use on leather motorcycle bags)

[thinkxingu]

A read on a bunch of boating sites that Mean Green, not Simple Green, is great for cleaning vinyl. At $2.77 a bottle, it'll balance out the $40 303 Protectant.

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[Woody38]

There is a degreaser that I use for everything from household to automobiles and that is "Super Clean."

The shower appears to stay cleaner longer and the Brake dust on the wheels stays off for a while.

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

[RUGMAN]

can the 303 treatment be purchased locally?

[thinkxingu]

can the 303 treatment be purchased locally?
Parafunalia, as well as every marina I've been in, has it. I bought a gallon on Amazon for $40 shipped--the 32 oz. I saw was somewhere around $18. Mean Green gallon at Walmart is $5.

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[SAB1]

Ive been using Mean Green since I bought my boat back in 1997. Great stuff.

[noreast]

303 protectant hands down. I clean with "Amazing", "Awesome" (both Amazon Prime cleaners) or Simple Green. For spring cleaning I use a bucket with a little soap, warm water and Simple Green on the entire interior including the rugs, compartments and under seats, etc... then a lot of wet vac work!.

Regardless of what you use to clean 303 all the way for vinyl (they also make a great leather protectant that I use on leather motorcycle bags)

I agree, "Amazing" from Bio clean has gotten stains out for me that nothing else would. Including 303 cleaner. They also have a pontoon (or aluminum) cleaner that I haven't tried yet. But 303 protectant for sure.

[loony]

The best product have user for the last 15 years for general cleaning and removing mold and mildew for both vinyl and the gelcoat is Great Value Mold & Mildew Remover (Walmart).
It is a slightly diluted version of tilex and much cheaper. For vinyl, I spray, wait a few minutes then wipe off. For textured vinyl, I use a soft scrub brush then wipe off. I always rinse thoroughly after each use, followed by sealing the vinyl with 303 sealer protector. The vinyl has remained soft an supple all these years without any cracks.
The gelcoat gets moldy where the mooring cover contacts it, I also use the mildew cleaner, rinse then wax it. Works great.