Not sure if this is the right forum for this question about vinyl bed covers...
- Thread starter rogus
- Start date
Everything that follows is anecdotal and only my opinion. If you follow my advice and it goes wrong I'm not to blame. Test any and all proposed fixes in a small, inconspicuous spot before even trying to clean the mold: you need to verify that it's safe first. Q-tips and an inside fold or seam are great for this! Incorrect avenues for cleaning mold include exposure to high heat, dry air, UV light, ozone, and fungicides. This may kill the mold but it and its by-products can still cause health issues. This is contrary to what many backyard cleaners say, but those dopes also never attribute cracked seats to them "rejuvenating" them because it happens over time. Similarly, ozone and sun are great at removing mold and even the stains but they're also great at killing vinyl. Sometimes the damage will take a year to pop up, even after being stored indoors.
I used to detail boats and those suckers breed mold and mildew of all colors so I've tried everything from straight bleach to Comet and Scotch Brite. Never first of course, and please try to only use a microfiber cloth here if possible. Also, avoid using any type of abrasive material whatsoever- no Comet, Barkeeper's Friend, etc. until you've decided you're fine with ruining the cover. The pros have the good chemicals, and some give away trade secrets on boat or detailing forums (hint, hint). There are products available at most major big box stores, Lowe's, or boat shops such as Starbrite mold & mildew remover, 303's version of the same, or Magic Mist. The first 2 have bleach as the active ingredient though, so you may want to try something else first. I also had very limited success with any of them. There are other store bought options but you're most often choosing from a list of pH basic chemicals and all of them can cause damage in the improper strength or combo. Some are actually acidic and we know those can cause damage, though a few seem safe unless left to sit. Unless of course you look for specialized enzymatic cleaners for mold and then you still have to double check that they're safe for your vinyl. There are different types of vinyl so there's no one chemical that saves our butts.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers do perform magic (scuff mark/ Sharpie killer) but OFTEN FADE COLORS ON VINYL (hellooo stripes) so test them first just like anything else you use. I'd use them as a last resort/ touch up in this case, and would start with rubbing alcohol sprayed directly on the cover using the highest proof possible. I've used Everclear and even 151 in a pinch, and I'm not joking. Then try denatured, but dilute it with water before going full strength. Then lemon juice/water or distilled vinegar/ water (30%/70%). All are safe on certain things and slightly fade others but I've never had an issue with denatured on vinyl and it cleans amazingly well. It does remove graphics from some things though. I used to buy a specific oven cleaner just for cleaning interiors of all kinds but it's not available anymore, and it was essentially foaming denatured alcohol. I'm perfecting my own cleaner mix for home use that's basically a 50/50 blend of Dawn and Murphy's, then make the final sprayed solution contain 5-10% denatured alcohol- this stuff cleans everything well and cuts though grease as well as organics like dirt and food faster and better than just Dawn. The amount of soap to water will vary depending on grease level so add the alcohol after deciding that. Be advised that not all denatured alcohol is created equal, as they can contain varied amounts of methanol and benzene. Benzene can melt things. Wear gloves. Brillo Basics Dish Spray has also given results, though it takes a while. I haven't tried it on everything but have coated multiple interior pieces without issue.
Naturally, you can't (REALLY, REALLY shouldn't) use more than 2 different cleaners on something like that or damage can occur before your very eyes and it's nearly impossible to fix correctly. Often is, actually, since each product strips another "something" from the piece and dries, melts, or fades it immediately. I watched a pro tape off and spray color on seats to fix this more than once, and when done properly it blends nicely.
If at all possible use only one cleaning product and protect the cleaned cover with something for vinyl that also has a UV inhibitor. Regular Meguiar's is good stuff but they've also got an "Extreme Marine" version, Starbrite has Vinyl Guard, 303 has "Protectant", there's Vinyl Sauce but I'm less than impressed, and we sold a lot of 303/ Starbrite at Wichita Marine but many people just use Pledge. I hate using Pledge due to wax buildup in the stitching and seams, requiring a toothbrush to properly clean. It also streaks easily but is actually pretty decent for vinyl that doesn't see sun if I'm honest. It does contain yellow color and can stain light items over time, and it's not great for skin either. Probably due to the silicone content, which I also dislike for leather but care less on vinyl which doesn't absorb anything. The propellant is petroleum based, also not great for leather but is related to vinyl.
As an absolute last resort or to cover up faded areas you can use products like shoe polish but that's a joke. My secret is slightly better: it's called "heel dressing" and I like Angelus Roll Call Military Grade Edge Dressing. Ask an enlisted man what he thinks about its coverage or durability... They've also got a product called "Walk on Black" that I haven't tried but am interested in. It supposedly has better wear resistance.
I used to detail boats and those suckers breed mold and mildew of all colors so I've tried everything from straight bleach to Comet and Scotch Brite. Never first of course, and please try to only use a microfiber cloth here if possible. Also, avoid using any type of abrasive material whatsoever- no Comet, Barkeeper's Friend, etc. until you've decided you're fine with ruining the cover. The pros have the good chemicals, and some give away trade secrets on boat or detailing forums (hint, hint). There are products available at most major big box stores, Lowe's, or boat shops such as Starbrite mold & mildew remover, 303's version of the same, or Magic Mist. The first 2 have bleach as the active ingredient though, so you may want to try something else first. I also had very limited success with any of them. There are other store bought options but you're most often choosing from a list of pH basic chemicals and all of them can cause damage in the improper strength or combo. Some are actually acidic and we know those can cause damage, though a few seem safe unless left to sit. Unless of course you look for specialized enzymatic cleaners for mold and then you still have to double check that they're safe for your vinyl. There are different types of vinyl so there's no one chemical that saves our butts.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers do perform magic (scuff mark/ Sharpie killer) but OFTEN FADE COLORS ON VINYL (hellooo stripes) so test them first just like anything else you use. I'd use them as a last resort/ touch up in this case, and would start with rubbing alcohol sprayed directly on the cover using the highest proof possible. I've used Everclear and even 151 in a pinch, and I'm not joking. Then try denatured, but dilute it with water before going full strength. Then lemon juice/water or distilled vinegar/ water (30%/70%). All are safe on certain things and slightly fade others but I've never had an issue with denatured on vinyl and it cleans amazingly well. It does remove graphics from some things though. I used to buy a specific oven cleaner just for cleaning interiors of all kinds but it's not available anymore, and it was essentially foaming denatured alcohol. I'm perfecting my own cleaner mix for home use that's basically a 50/50 blend of Dawn and Murphy's, then make the final sprayed solution contain 5-10% denatured alcohol- this stuff cleans everything well and cuts though grease as well as organics like dirt and food faster and better than just Dawn. The amount of soap to water will vary depending on grease level so add the alcohol after deciding that. Be advised that not all denatured alcohol is created equal, as they can contain varied amounts of methanol and benzene. Benzene can melt things. Wear gloves. Brillo Basics Dish Spray has also given results, though it takes a while. I haven't tried it on everything but have coated multiple interior pieces without issue.
Naturally, you can't (REALLY, REALLY shouldn't) use more than 2 different cleaners on something like that or damage can occur before your very eyes and it's nearly impossible to fix correctly. Often is, actually, since each product strips another "something" from the piece and dries, melts, or fades it immediately. I watched a pro tape off and spray color on seats to fix this more than once, and when done properly it blends nicely.
If at all possible use only one cleaning product and protect the cleaned cover with something for vinyl that also has a UV inhibitor. Regular Meguiar's is good stuff but they've also got an "Extreme Marine" version, Starbrite has Vinyl Guard, 303 has "Protectant", there's Vinyl Sauce but I'm less than impressed, and we sold a lot of 303/ Starbrite at Wichita Marine but many people just use Pledge. I hate using Pledge due to wax buildup in the stitching and seams, requiring a toothbrush to properly clean. It also streaks easily but is actually pretty decent for vinyl that doesn't see sun if I'm honest. It does contain yellow color and can stain light items over time, and it's not great for skin either. Probably due to the silicone content, which I also dislike for leather but care less on vinyl which doesn't absorb anything. The propellant is petroleum based, also not great for leather but is related to vinyl.
As an absolute last resort or to cover up faded areas you can use products like shoe polish but that's a joke. My secret is slightly better: it's called "heel dressing" and I like Angelus Roll Call Military Grade Edge Dressing. Ask an enlisted man what he thinks about its coverage or durability... They've also got a product called "Walk on Black" that I haven't tried but am interested in. It supposedly has better wear resistance.
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I haven't had 151 since the military but it sounds good! I keep a large bottle of Dawn in my garage. Haven't used Murphy's before but will give it a shot. Thanks!
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