Cleaning vinyl and leather!

Randy_W

Randy_W

reliable source of info
This has been an issue for 40+ years, people tend to use an elephant gun to kill a gnat! The worst thing you can do is use alkali cleaners such as 409/Fantastik, etc... on vinyl or leather, especially vinyl. Every time you use it to get the dirt off, you remove a layer of the vinyl coating, so after a while you get spots that won't clean any more, the reason they won't clean is because you're seeing the backing where the coating is washed away. Use the mildest soap first and work your way up the chain, bear in mind that lighter fluid is better for your leather/vinyl than 409 type cleaners are. When you clean, always follow with a quality treatment to preserve the oils. ;)
 
good advice Im sure!
Its surprising what a spray bottle with warm water,and just a few drops of dish wash detergent, a warm damp rag,and a soft tooth brush, followed by paper towels will sometimes remove

"(Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic)

Vinyl - Polyvinyl chloride - PVC - is thermoplastic. It may be made in a film and bags used for food wrap and micro-waving, or molded in a rigid form in containers. It is made into refrigerator gaskets, used to coat fabric for upholstery and to coat wallpaper for washability, and in making floor tile, horizontal and vertical blinds, countertops, window screens, and other items. It is used in dishwashers for lining the inside and coating the wire racks. It is not affected by most chemicals. It is strong, resists weathering and most chemicals, and may be transparent, as film.

It may have an odor when boxed so needs airing before use. Also may have an odor if not dried thoroughly before storing. Do not use moth repellents with it as they harm it. Do not put on lacquered surfaces as it may stick. It withstands moderate heat but do not expose to too much heat.
Vinyl Upholstery

Regular Cleaning
Vinyl upholstery fabrics are produced porous to allow perspiration venting and will absorb stains. Wash with mild detergent and water. Use a soft bristle brush for stubborn soil. Rinse and dry. Some household cleaners and solvents remove plasticizers from vinyl, making them brittle. Abrasive cleaners scratch the smooth surface. Sometime letting detergent solution stand on surface and "soak" a few minutes loosens soil."
 
The newer polyurethanes are far more resistant to stains and to cleaners, but caution should still be used. ;)
 
I always use a leather/vinyl cleaner from the detail section at the auto parts store :)

I currently have the spray Turtle Wax Leather Conditioner.
 
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