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cleaning vinyl

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by flatmotor40, Apr 7, 2013.

  1. flatmotor40
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 621

    flatmotor40
    Member
    from georgia

    What is the best to clean this sticky old vinyl that goes inside.Mine seems to be grungy and sticky been a while since I have it installed ready to put back in after paint.It seems to be on steering wheel also.Tried soap and water and a little goof-off but what is best Thanks it is in a Monte Carlo
     
  2. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    If it is sticky it sounds like the surface of the vinyl is going away. It might be that nothing will get that sticky layer off but you might try something like Simple Green on a few spots and see what it does. If you do get it off then put a good protectant on it. I have recently refound Vinylex by Lexol in the blue bottle at Pep Boys and it is about the best vinyl treatment I have found. I have used others that were ok, like 303, Meguiars, etc, but Vinylex not only makes it look nice but it does some cleaning also.

    It could be also that the previous owner used something like Armor All which I have found to create some stickiness and it attracts and holds dirt too.

    Don
     
  3. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 2,952

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    Wax and Grease remover that car painters use. Also great for cleaning grunge off steering wheels.

    Do not use Thinners or MEK
     
  4. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    ^^^^^ Than makes sense, never thought of wax and grease remover.

    Don
     

  5. 56premiere
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 1,445

    56premiere
    Member
    from oregon

    There might be plastisizer migration. The 70s 80s stuff done that a lot. Cleaning won't help if that's it. Jack
     
  6. doozcoupe
    Joined: Mar 15, 2007
    Posts: 310

    doozcoupe
    Member

    mineral spirits
     
  7. Dizzie
    Joined: Feb 7, 2012
    Posts: 245

    Dizzie
    Member

    I have used Simple Green with some success on vinyl. Won't cause any damage
     
  8. hallrods
    Joined: Feb 21, 2012
    Posts: 1,238

    hallrods
    Member

    An older upolsterer told me lighter fluid cleans the best
     
  9. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,659

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Get a microfibre cloth from the dollar store, the terry cloth style. Put about a quart of water in a tupperware container. Give the water 1 or 2 squirts of SprayNine. Soak the cloth in the water, squeeze it out and start cleaning. I was amazed at how it removes dirt. When the cloth gets dirty throw it in the container, snap on the lid and shake it like a washing machine.

    Nothing else cleans vinyl as thoroughly and as fast.
     
  10. Get some "Awesome" cleaner. Read the label it's a concentrate.
    I find it at the dollar store in QTs and it works on just about everything you can possibly imagine.
     
  11. Roger Walling
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,149

    Roger Walling
    Member

    I agree with 56primiere when he said "There might be plastisizer migration.
    The 70s 80s stuff done that a lot. Cleaning won't help if that's it."

    I have used every type of cleaner and solvent in a body shop and all I end up with is a clean sticky surface.

    Baby power solves that problen, short of painting it.
     
  12. oldsjoe
    Joined: May 2, 2011
    Posts: 2,607

    oldsjoe
    Member

    I have used a product from 3M called Marine Clean on my convertible tops and vinyl interiors it's made for boats and outdoor furniture follow the directions and it works very well. don't know about the sticky feel though.
     
  13. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,258

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If the sticky is armor all or an equivalent, you need to use ammonia to break it down before any real deep cleaning gets done. Armor all is a painter's worst nightmare. I recently did a car from the 'hood that the owner even used it on his CLOTH SEATS!! I hate that shit with a passion, and 9 outta 10 times that's the problem.
     
  14. corncobcoupe
    Joined: May 26, 2001
    Posts: 7,352

    corncobcoupe
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I personally use this product................


    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...1beIqG2CEh0SXP5yYa9fV4g&bvm=bv.44770516,d.b2I

    I use a wood or plastic handle brush...... I spray the product on and let it sit for 15 seconds and then use the brush to get into the vinyl pores, then wipe it off with paper towels.
    Always works great.

    If it's a barn find car decades of dirt, I may spray it twice, but usually one liberal spray coat works well.


    The company owner ( Dean) is a chemist and happens to be my neighbor up the road.
    A video on his website on how to use the product.
    The guy knows his stuff.
    All of his products are top quality.


    Cob
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2013
  15. may sound strange but give WD-40 a try
     
  16. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    What sort of made me think his interior is just at the end of it's life is when he said the steering wheel is sticky too. I have seen some steering wheels that get gummy on the outside and usually that means the wheel surface is breaking down. I had a Ford Crown Vic that the steering wheel got sticky like that and it was because of the heat here in Florida. I could get it off but it kept getting sticky again pretty fast. He is in Georgia, so maybe the heat has killed his stuff too.

    Don

    Here is a link I found that discusses cleaning vinyl furniture that is sticky. Maybe vinyl seat upholstery is similar and will respond to what they suggest here:

    http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-sticky-residue-from-vinyl/
     
  17. USA Tires Sign Joe
    Joined: Aug 13, 2006
    Posts: 1,072

    USA Tires Sign Joe
    Member
    from Western NJ

    Dawn dish detergent, warm water, soft bristle brush and elbow grease.
     
  18. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,775

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    I used 3M Adhesive and Glue Remover because nothing else worked. After 3 or 4 applications the wheel in the 74 El Camino was smooth and shiny again and while I drove it for the next 2 years did not ever get sticky again.
     
  19. flatmotor40
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 621

    flatmotor40
    Member
    from georgia

    I bought this Monte Carlo in 71 new and now doing a frame off and I tried Dawn to no prevail and a little Goofoff worked along with next step Purple something but will try the other methods.Over years probably use Armor all.Seemed to do pretty good.I know that after years it does get hard but trying to keep it going Thanks
     
  20. BillyM
    Joined: Feb 9, 2010
    Posts: 144

    BillyM
    Member

    I've had good luck with "Simple Green" as well....but you'd be well advised to test in a safe spot first......the "Green" is a bit misleading....the stuff is strong as hell!
     
  21. CutawayAl
    Joined: Aug 3, 2009
    Posts: 2,144

    CutawayAl
    Member
    from MI

  22. Bull
    Joined: Mar 17, 2006
    Posts: 2,288

    Bull
    Member

    I use our Power Clean on vinyl, then follow up with our Vinyl Shine.
    http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/product.php?productid=26&cat=0&page=1
    [​IMG]
    http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/product.php?productid=93&cat=0&page=1
    [​IMG]

    For tougher stuff, you can use Crud Release. It's like Power Clean on steroids.
    http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/product.php?productid=98&cat=0&page=1
    [​IMG]

    As you can see, I've got loads of vinyl to keep clean!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Be sure to use coupon code HAMB15 for 15% off your order too!
    http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/home.php?cat=24
     

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