CUTLASS Best way to deep clean seats vinyl sides?

RICKDIZZLE

Master Mechanic
Sep 16, 2014
346
408
63
Got some more upgrades for my Cutlass seats that before installing want to deep clean the side vinyl. My seats will get reupholstered down the road..but for now I would like to deep clean them prior to new seat trim parts going on. I usually use this from Meguiars for show prep...but would like to actually clean the vinyl as in a couple spots almost looks like there is some dots from possible paint overspray. What do you guys recommend I use prior to retreating with Meguiars 40 and then putting new trim piece on?
1000009234.jpg
 
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Ok so I did a lil research and here was what I did.

Removed old seat side chrome and top seat belt guide.
Used a mix of Dawn and a soft sponge with a non-scratch scrubbing back side with hot water.
I cleaned all the vinyl aspects of the seats first with this solution. Seats were not very dirty from normal care, so this seemed not to do much.
Had a few white specs/dots of what looked like old over spray still.

I then used Super Clean parts degreaser. This stuff you HAVE to be careful with as it is pretty potent. As a matter of fact says to dilute 8:1 with water for vinyl upholstery . I did not dilute it, as I did not intend to soak the whole thing.

What I did was dabbed the corner of the non-scratch scouring side of the sponge in some full strength. I then took care to scrub out the "overspray" spots. Be sure NOT to soak the vinyl and ensure you do not get it on the sewn threads of the upholstery.

Then I immediately used fresh hot water with Dawn again to ensure I fully washed off any aspects of the Super Clean. I let it dry completely and the vinyl looked amazing. You could really see that the Super Clean and Dawn removed all aspects of any vinyl treatment I had on.

As I am obsessive with stuff..did two more full wipe downs with Dawn and then just pure clean hot water. I used the sponge side of the sponge for this. I let it all fully air dry for about an hour, then treated the vinyl with Meguiars 40. I used an applicator to really "massage" in the first coat in small circular patterns. Did this in hopes of really getting into every crevice of the vinyl. Let this set up for approx 30 mins. Then did one more coat in more of a traditional wiping motion, ensuring I left the vinyl damp with product.

After it was cured/dry, I reassembled the few parts I removed and added my new engraved seat side trims. I even polished my stainless screws for the trim.

I think it looks pretty dang good for being almost 40 years old.
here are the end results. 😁
1000009625.jpg

1000009623.jpg
 
Ok so I did a lil research and here was what I did.

Removed old seat side chrome and top seat belt guide.
Used a mix of Dawn and a soft sponge with a non-scratch scrubbing back side with hot water.
I cleaned all the vinyl aspects of the seats first with this solution. Seats were not very dirty from normal care, so this seemed not to do much.
Had a few white specs/dots of what looked like old over spray still.

I then used Super Clean parts degreaser. This stuff you HAVE to be careful with as it is pretty potent. As a matter of fact says to dilute 8:1 with water for vinyl upholstery . I did not dilute it, as I did not intend to soak the whole thing.

What I did was dabbed the corner of the non-scratch scouring side of the sponge in some full strength. I then took care to scrub out the "overspray" spots. Be sure NOT to soak the vinyl and ensure you do not get it on the sewn threads of the upholstery.

Then I immediately used fresh hot water with Dawn again to ensure I fully washed off any aspects of the Super Clean. I let it dry completely and the vinyl looked amazing. You could really see that the Super Clean and Dawn removed all aspects of any vinyl treatment I had on.

As I am obsessive with stuff..did two more full wipe downs with Dawn and then just pure clean hot water. I used the sponge side of the sponge for this. I let it all fully air dry for about an hour, then treated the vinyl with Meguiars 40. I used an applicator to really "massage" in the first coat in small circular patterns. Did this in hopes of really getting into every crevice of the vinyl. Let this set up for approx 30 mins. Then did one more coat in more of a traditional wiping motion, ensuring I left the vinyl damp with product.

After it was cured/dry, I reassembled the few parts I removed and added my new engraved seat side trims. I even polished my stainless screws for the trim.

I think it looks pretty dang good for being almost 40 years old.
here are the end results. 😁
View attachment 244531
View attachment 244532
I like those side pieces they look awesome. What they run for? Well I still need to find a bench seat for my car.
 
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I like those side pieces they look awesome. What they run for? Well I still need to find a bench seat for my car.
They start about $250 for the pair. If you go two tone with gold, they are more.


Krazy Kutting does all my engraving work for me. A lot of times they run sales for 20-30% off. This stuff is all hand engraved and then sent out for chrome. So just be prepared to be patient with orders. I got some parts out now that I am over 2 months in so far waiting lol.
 
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They start about $250 for the pair. If you go two tone with gold, they are more.


Krazy Kutting does all my engraving work for me. A lot of times they run sales for 20-30% off. This stuff is all hand engraved and then sent out for chrome. So just be prepared to be patient with orders. I got some parts out now that I am over 2 months in so far waiting lol.
Ok that's what's up, as soon as I get my new seats for sure I 'll be ordering them. Thank you.
 
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