Tips to Help Keep Your Marine Vinyl Looking New

Protect Your Boat Seats and Flooring

Marine vinyl is a waterproof material that's designed to withstand the elements of fresh or salt water. Used for boat seats, cushions, marine upholstery and more, this durable vinyl comes with built-in UV resistance to withstand long hours of sun exposure, antibacterial and antifungal additives for mold and mildew resistance, can withstand extreme temperature changes, and is resistant to abrasion.

Using the proper protectants can shield marine-grade vinyl from fading due to UV rays, and can improve overall durability by creating a barrier to prevent stains from being absorbed into the vinyl. Never use wax as a protectant because it can cause the vinyl to become brittle. One of the best boat maintenance products is Meguiar's M5716SP Marine/RV Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Protectant. It’s easy to use: with your boat in the shade, shake the bottle well and spray it on a soft towel or use a rubber gloved hand and rub it on to leave the vinyl protected and looking like it just came off the showroom floor.

Although Lowe Boat's marine vinyl seats and floors are treated with UV protectants, the sun’s rays are relentless, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause premature aging. When your boat is not in use, the best way to keep it looking new is to cover it. Even if you have covered storage for protection, critters like spiders can quickly make a mess with their digestive residue. When covering a boat after an outing, make sure all surfaces have been dried thoroughly before installing the protective cover. 

Clean Spills and Stains Immediately

According to Spradling, a leading company that manufactures and markets coated fabrics for the marine industry, cleaning attempts are 50% less effective for a stain left untreated for 24 hours. Most wet stains, if caught before they set, can be cleaned with just a squirt of a hose or a blot of a rag. The general theory for cleaning vinyl is to start with gentle methods, and if that doesn’t work, progress to more aggressive cleaners and processes. If hosing or blotting doesn’t remove the entire stain, use warm water (never hot) mixed with a little pH neutral soap specially designed for boat vinyl and gently scrub with a medium-bristle brush followed by a clean-water rinse. This is also a good recipe for monthly, general cleanings when your boat isn’t being used. If none of these methods are successful, it’s time to escalate the cleaning methods. 

Clean Stubborn Stains

Like the oath doctors take, the first rule of cleaning stains is to do no harm. Harsh cleaners can permanently discolor and damage vinyl. If there is any doubt about a cleaner, try it first in a hidden area. 

Avoid using:

• Lacquer solvents
• Undiluted bleach
  
• Cleaners with abrasives
  
• Citrus-based cleaners
  
• Magic Erasers or stiff-bristled brushes 
  
• Cleaning products that are not pH neutral
  
• Cleaners with more than 10% alcohol
  

For tough stains like fish blood, bird poop, blue jean dyes or red wine stains, use a good marine vinyl cleaner like Star Brite Ultimate Xtreme Clean. Spray on and leave for at least 30 seconds. Then use a wet sponge (never the kitchen pot scrubber type) or medium-bristle brush to gently work the stained area in a circular motion and rinse with clear water. For really stubborn stains, a one part bleach to 10 parts water solution can be used if rinsed immediately.

Clean Woven Vinyl Floors

The beauty of vinyl flooring is its ease of cleaning. Most times it’s a hose-it-and-go proposition after a day on the water. For stained areas, including pet accidents, use Spot Shot, which is an aerosol that can be sprayed directly on the stain then worked with a brush followed by a water rinse. For really difficult stains, use Clorox Clean-Up (1.84% bleach). Just spray it on, leave it for 3-5 minutes then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse.