Mybecca Marine Vinyl Faux Leather Fabric
For those who want a classic white leather appearance for their marine upholstery, you might want to check out this faux leather fabric from Mybecca.
Made from high-quality vinyl, this product mimics the appearance of leather, giving your boat upholstery a touch of classic elegance that only leather provides. However, leather doesnt work well with the harsh marine environment which is why I found this faux leather version the next best thing.
Aside from its appearance, I love how its water-resistant as well, making it perfect to serve as a marine upholstery fabric because it can withstand the moisture its constantly exposed to. Moreover, since its faux leather rather than actual leather, its considered very animal-friendly as well.
Its also quite durable and long-lasting, allowing it to bear the constant exposure to the elements like sunlight, water, and more. The surface is very easy to clean as well, making it a low-maintenance option for busy boat owners.
Although this one is white, I also love how there are other colors available that allow me to mix and match as I please to match my boats chosen aesthetic. Its appearance is also high-quality enough that you can mistake it for actual leather rather than vinyl.
Its also fairly easy to clean so theres no need to worry about maintaining its appearance, allowing boat owners to keep its pristine appearance with less effort.
- Can be difficult to work with, especially when done manually
- Lack of UV protection
What Is The Best Way To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats
Clean your boat as frequently as possible to prevent molds or mildews. You can do conventional cleaning using water and mild soap to remove dust, dirt but not all molds and mildew. Or use appropriate boat vinyl cleaner brands that fit your boats condition considering the harsh environments where you operate it.
How To Care For Marine Upholstery
- Written by Connor Doe on Jan 15, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Maintaining marine upholstery requires one or two annual deep cleans and periodic surface wipe-downs. After a boat sits for long enough, its upholstery will get dirty. Whether due to dust, dirt or the accumulation of grime and mildew, the upholstery is one of the first places that will start to show wear. You should keep up on the maintenance or else you will risk faded, cracked or ruined marine upholstery that will require replacement more quickly.
Step 1 – Clean Mildew off the Marine Upholstery
First clean off any mildew or mold that has accumulated on the vinyl upholstery of your boat. Mold and mildew grow after a season of disuse. Even if the boat is covered, you may find unwanted growth on the seats. Considering the boat’s marine use, it is typical that some water would have remained that gave rise to mildew.
Mix a small amount of ammonia with 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Wearing latex gloves, thoroughly scrub the seats, both on top and underneath. Scrub down all vinyl surfaces until you remove all of the mildew.
Step 2 – Mix and Use the Cleaner
Step 3 – Apply Vinyl Protectant
Step 4 – Consider Any Necessary Vinyl Repair
A Word on Replacement Versus Maintenance
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M 09023 Marine Vinyl Cleaner
For an all-in-one solution to your boat vinyl needs, I recommend checking out the 3M Marine Vinyl Cleaner, Conditioner, and Protector. Its a three-in-one formula that can help restore your boats vinyl surfaces to their former glory.
You can rely on this products functionality due to its highly versatile formula. This means that only one bottle is sufficient for all of your vinyl cleaning needs. With this 3-in-1 formula, boat owners can effectively clean, condition, and protect their boats vinyl surfaces in one go.
Its fairly easy to apply on vinyl as well as leather surfaces. Besides, its formula is specially designed to combat the damage caused by exposure to harsh marine conditions. This might be due to its nature as a conditioner and protectant at the same time.
- Its 3-in-1 formula is designed for enhanced convenience and versatility
- Helps restore the natural sheen of my surfaces
- Has an easy to use formula for easier application
- Can also be used on leather surfaces without any worries
- Less effective as a cleaner
Is Boat Upholstery Worth It
Upholstery brings new life to your boat. It is recommended to go for new upholstery instead of restoring an old one. New upholstery brings variety in materials, designs, effects to your boat. Multi-colored covers, though, slightly adds to the increase of cost but fairly looks better.
Likewise, if you count for upholstery your hood-top, interior and body paint along with seats, it certainly increases the cost. The professionals doing upholstery gives estimated to cost only after assessing the entire work. The upholstery work takes days or weeks depending on the workload.
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The Fabric Exchange Marine Vinyl Fabric
This vinyl fabric is made of 74% PVC and 26% polyester, allowing it to offer the benefits of both plastics. What I really like about the product is its texture. Though the texture may not be very smooth like other vinyl fabrics, the texture gives it a nice look, making it very stylish when you upholster it onto your boat seats. In fact, it comes in 13 different colors, with each color having its own unique texture to it. With the availability of different colors, you can get to choose which style you want.
Other than that, it is also completely waterproof and weatherproof, making it perfect for protecting outdoor boat seats and pilot chairs. Another feature that makes it pretty appealing is the fact that it is really versatile.
While the first choice is more geared toward outdoor use, this product can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Just like most marine vinyl fabrics, this one is also 54 inches wide per role.
However, it is the best one for you if youre after something that can give a nice design, especially a beautiful interior look. This one has great aesthetic appeal and a wide variety of colors to choose from.
- Tears pretty easily due to its thin material
- Its dye comes off quite easily
Steam Cleaning Your Boats Cushions
Lots of boat owners tout the benefits of simply steam cleaning their cushions. This is likely more for basic maintenance of their freshness and in no way substitutes for a deep clean if the problem with your cushions is below the covers, but if you do it often enough from the start it might keep you satisfied.
It is recommended to test out the reverse side of a cushion before steaming everything to make sure your fabric doesnt have any adverse reaction to it and to keep the covers on the cushions when doing the procedure in case there is a shrinkage of the material.
If all goes well, steam is a great way to keep things smelling fresh and to kill bacteria on or near the surface and can be an excellent and ideal choice for cleaning the cushions up top as well! Properly applied steam with a wipe down can bring the original colors of your cockpit cushions back to life by removing stubborn mold and mildew.
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Vvivid White Faux Leather Marine Vinyl Fabric
This ViViD product is a great fabric for boat cushions. Its made of 100% PVC material that feels like soft, natural leather for maximum comfort. Its extremely durable and flexible, giving long-lasting protection for your boat seats.
I love that this product has excellent features such as UV inhibitors. This feature gives protection against the sun so the fabric wont lose its color and brilliance. Its also water-resistant, so this product can remain untorn even if exposed to extreme weather conditions. Therefore, its ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Because its marine-grade, its specifically effective against saltwater and other marine deposits or elements. Its the perfect protection against splashes for any water vessel for fishing or just leisure sailing.
What I admire most about this product is its resistance to cuts and scratches. This gives great relief to boat owners with people on board who tend to have too much fun. This anti-scratch feature protects your seats from guests who have pointy items or accessories with them.
To top it all off, this VViViD product is resistant to stains. So, if you cover your boat and car seats with this, your fear of spillage will be over. This is great if you have kids and clumsy adults around or you live near rough roads and waters. You can finally go through bumpy drives with fewer worries in mind.
- Doesnt come with adhesive
Other Important Factors To Consider
While the guide above can help you narrow your choices for the best marine vinyl fabric, its always better to know more about the product so that you can fully tailor the criteria to fit your needs. In order to do so, you must first understand what the product is, how it works, and its types.
What is a Marine Upholstery Fabric?
Basically, marine upholstery fabric is the fabric used for covering up various parts and furniture found in your boat. This type of fabric can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications. For indoors, it can be used for wall coverings, seat covers, as well as a boat cushion fabric and protection for benches. For outdoor applications, it can be used for the pilot chair, outdoor sofas, and cockpit benches.
How Does It Work?
A marine upholstery fabric basically works as the entire material that covers the boat furniture or wall covering. The marine upholstery encompasses not just the fabric itself but also the padding that would protect the furniture. Basically, the entire upholstery acts as a thick covering to keep the boat furniture in good condition.
What are the Different Types of Marine Upholstery Fabrics?
As mentioned above, the three most common types are acrylic, vinyl, and mesh. Well go over them in detail one by one.
Since mesh is made of a string pattern, it also comes in many different patterns. Though its not totally waterproof, the advantage is that its quick-drying and water-resistant.
Why Do You Need a Marine Upholstery Fabric?
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Use 4 Oz Of Laundry Stain Remover Spray
Get a laundry stain remover spray and put 4 oz into the spray bottle.
Using a laundry stain remover spray for the homemade vinyl cleaner will:
- Help remove stains deep in the vinyl: The laundry stain remover spray will help remove the deepest stains from the vinyl.
- Add a scent to the homemade vinyl cleaner: The laundry spray will add a nice scent to the cleaner and have the seats smelling great when cleaned.
- Be kind on the vinyl material: Laundry stain remover will be kind on the vinyl seat material as they have no harsh chemicals.
If you dont have it at home, you can shop for laundry stain remover spray online.
SummaryUsing laundry stain remover spray as part of a homemade vinyl seat cleaner helps remove tricky stains deep in the vinyl. It will also add a nice scent to the homemade cleaner.
Stay Safe When Cleaning Your Boat
Take the proper safety precautions while cleaning your boat. While many boat cleaning products are mild detergents, its a good idea to use rubber or vinyl gloves to protect your hands. Safety goggles are a smart decision to protect your eyes, and kneepads will help reduce fatigue.
As for the cleaning products, always read the labels to find out what its made of, which stains its designed to remove, and how to use it .
Last, because there may be some breathing hazards, make sure to clean your boat in a well-ventilated area. Some polishes and rubbing compounds can be extremely harsh on the lungs, so use breathing protection if youre working in a semi-enclosed space.
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Boaters Edge Mildew Stain Remover
Next, theres the Boaters EDGE mildew stain remover which is a cleaner thats designed to remove mildew from marine fabrics like vinyl and acrylic.
This mildew stain remover is great for removing mold, mildew, and even other things like moss and algae stains without the need for heavy scrubbing as its capable of removing stains upon contact. Moreover, its heavy-duty triple-action formula is effective and perfect for heavy-duty use.
What I love about this product is that despite its heavy-duty and powerful formula, its still safe to use for marine and outdoor upholstery like vinyl and acrylic. This makes it perfect for removing mildew from your boat seats.
I also love how it works on different types of surfaces, making it a versatile option for those who want to make the most of their mildew remover. Its professional-grade and concentrated cleaning formula is also perfect for use in different areas, whether at home, sea, or commercial places.
- Versatile and can be used in different environments
- Tougher stains require some scrubbing to be completely cleaned
Mybecca Black Marine Upholstery Vinyl Fabric
Next on the list is another vinyl upholstery fabric from Mybecca which features a leather-like appearance and texture as well. At first glance, youll actually think its real leather with its realistic leather-like appearance and even its texture.
However, unlike leather, this upholstery fabric offers the increased durability and longevity that only vinyl could provide. It offers high resistance to both weather and water, making it perfect for environments exposed to a lot of moisture like boats.
Moreover, it offers high resistance to UV rays as well so you dont have to worry about the harsh sunlight compromising the integrity of your upholstery. Additionally, its grime, dirt, and scratch-resistant as well, allowing you to preserve its pristine appearance with ease.
Its surface is made from 100% vinyl fabric with a backing constructed out of 100% polyester. This allows it to handle heavy-duty environments like the one in boats as it can withstand the harsh weather conditions of the outdoors.
Aside from this, I love how its easy to clean as well, making it another low-maintenance option for those looking for upholstery fabric that is similar to real leather.
However, what I only disliked about this material is that its prone to creasing so if I fold it, it leaves a mark.
- Material is prone to creasing
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M Mildew Stain Remover
The 3M Mildew Stain Remover is a mildew stain remover thats specially formulated to remove dark stains and dirt from light-colored surfaces. It can also be used on vinyl, making it perfect for cleaning mildew from boat seats.
The thing that I love about this mildew remover is that it doesnt simply clean the surface. It also penetrates deeply into the material to clean it thoroughly and effectively get rid of mildew and mold. This prevents them from reoccurring, hence making your life as a boat owner a lot easier.
Additionally, its easy to use and quick to work so its efficient at cleaning as well. Moreover, it has a quick-acting formula that doesnt require any scrubbing so you can say goodbye to vigorous scrubbing all you need to do is spray then wipe.
Its especially effective in removing dark mildew stains from light-colored and white vinyl, so keeping your boat seats stylish and pristine wont be a problem at all.
- Not suitable for use on tougher stains
Aquaguard Teal Marine Vinyl Fabric
If you are more into light colors, then the AquaGuard Teal Marine Vinyl Fabric is a delightful alternative for you. This alternative is a pop of life that will match the sunny weather at sea. Aside from teal, this also comes in other dainty shades such as mint, sky blue, turquoise, and ivory.
As light as it seems, this tough material for boat seats. It weighs 34 ounces but has a thickness of 0.95 mm only. I am still processing how heavier but thinner it is compared to other boat upholstery materials, but I have to move on because it works with effectively how it is.
More importantly, this fabric is certified marine grade. Resembling most upholstery fabrics, this product can be used to accessorize not only boat seats but also bags, shoes, and furniture. But what makes this oustanding over regular vinyl fabrics is its solid protection from water and cuts.
With a blend of PVC and polyester materials, the waterproof front side shields the upholstery from abrasions and heat while the woven backing provides elasticity that prevents the fabric from tearing up.
- Lovely and delightful pastel colors such as mint, sky blue, turquoise and more
- May be bulky to install
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How To Clean Marine Vinyl Fabric
So you are here for one of two reasons…
You recently got a boat and you want to keep it in great shape or the more likely option is you have some mildew or stained seats and you want to get it clean without damaging your seats. Today is your lucky day as you have come to an expert for advice.
Lets start with prevention.
You are probably wondering why outdoor marine grade vinyl would mold in the first place. The vinyl is treated to help prevent mold and mildew. The main characteristic that separates Marine Grade Vinyl and regular vinyl is marine grade vinyl has UV protection and is Mold/Mildew resistant.
Guess What The problem isnt with the vinyl!
The real problem is how the material is cared for and cleaned. We are not pointing fingers, but this is usually the #1 reason marine vinyl breaks down.
So now youre probably asking, what is the best way to prevent mold, mildew and those dreaded cracked seats? First off, you need to cover your seats when they are not in use. The sun will damage anything left outside. This is the #1 cause of fading and cracked seats. If you want your boat seats to last, they simply need to be covered. They dont make boat covers because they look nice and are a pain in the butt to roll up. They help protect your boat from those harsh UV rays. Professional Tip make sure your cover has a vent cap to help with air circulation.
So what will stain your seats? Besides the sun, sunscreen, food, drinks, cardboard boxes, leaves, grass, and ink.
