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Learning how to care for boat vinyl will help keep your Harris boat looking showroom new. Follow these three simple tips to clean boat seats and protect your investment.
Clean It
It’s really important to clean a stain immediately. The best way to clean boat seats is with a damp microfiber towel, providing you catch it quickly. But if you don’t notice your two-year-old making a fountain out of their grape juice box right away, it gets more difficult.
The first rule is don’t make it worse. Swiping a stain can cause it to spread on your vinyl boat seat. Instead, blot spilled liquids before trying to clean the spot. Always carry a vinyl cleaner on board because if you wait until you get back to the dock, a stain will have time to be absorbed into the pores of the material.
The plan of attack should be to start gently and progress to more aggressive techniques only as needed. Even if seats look clean, they could still have hard-to-see stains like from suntan lotion, so it’s a good idea to periodically give them a gentle cleaning. Use a gentle, PH-balanced vinyl cleaner like 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner. Just spray on and leave for at least 30 seconds, then use a wet sponge or medium-bristled brush to gently scrub the stained area and rinse with clear water. Never use a pressure washer on upholstery!
Protect It
One of the most important steps you can take is to periodically treat the vinyl on your boat with a protectant. Think of it as putting sunscreen on your upholstery that not only provides protection from the sun but also keeps it supple and looking new. When treated with products like Star Brite Ultimate Vinyl Guard with PTEF, vinyl becomes highly resistant to stains, thanks to the polymer bond that creates a liquid-repelling barrier. It couldn’t be easier to use. Just spray it on the surface to be treated or onto a clean microfiber towel and spread it on evenly. After it dries, give it another wipe with a clean towel.
Cover It
The sun is the single most damaging element your pontoon is exposed to, though your best friend’s kids might be a close second. Although Harris uses vinyl that has UV protectants, the relentless bombardment of the sun’s rays will prematurely age any vinyl. In addition to fading the original color, ultraviolet rays cause the surface of vinyl to dry out and eventually crack.
Covering your pontoon is the best way to protect the interior of your boat when it’s not in use. Those who dock their pontoons in covered boat slips might be tempted to forgo using a cover, but the sun’s rays can still bombard vinyl when the sun is lower in the sky. Another threat to your uncovered boat’s vinyl shows up as tiny black spots that are difficult to remove and are caused by spider poop. Another related issue comes from birds. Enough said.
By adding these vinyl boat seat care procedures to your routine, the reward is upholstery that looks and feels like new even years after you bought it.
