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        We provide vinyl, leather and cloth repair services to restaurants, marinas and automotive dealerships in the city of San Francisco. Our processes can repair vinyl upholstery burns, cuts, tears, rips and discoloration. Call us today for a free estimate.  Don't Replace, Repair and Recondition! |
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Vinyl is subject to deterioration from thermal heat (baking grime into the surface), UV radiation (causing fading and cracking), abrasion (sliding in and out of seats) and solvents found in some cleaners and dressings. A microscopic view of automotive vinyl would show raw PVC (polyvinyl chloride) covered by a thin layer of plastic called the "topcoat". The topcoat is the part of the vinyl you see and can touch. To keep vinyl soft and flexible, manufacturers add agents known as plasticizers to the raw PVC. A major function of the topcoat is to hold in these plasticizers, which otherwise would evaporate as the sun heats them. This is why new cars develop a greasy "vinyl haze" on the inside windshield for the first three to six months.
Protecting the topcoat is the top priority in properly maintaining automotive vinyl.
All vinyl manufacturers agree on and recommend the following: |
| Proper Vinyl Care and Maintenance |
 * Medium-soft brush * Warm soapy water * Wipe or rinse with cool water and then dry Use a medium-soft brush, warm soapy water, (such as Ivory soap), wipe or rinse with cool water and then dry. Stubborn stains should be cleaned with an alkaline (soap) based formula, not a solvent (acid) based formula. Mildew Stains: To kill the bacteria creating the mildew, use a medium-soft brush and vigorously brush the stained area with a 4 to 1 mixture of water and ammonia; rinse with cool water. Note: All cleaning methods should be followed by a thorough rinse with water using a sponge or wet cloth. . |
| Things That Will Damage Your Vinyl |
 * Household cleaners * Powdered or other abrasives * Steel wool * Industrial cleaners * Dry cleaning fluids * Strong petroleum distillates or solvents * Bleach or detergents Obviously abrasives should never be used on vinyl. Strong petroleum distillates are a universal "no no" for both vinyl and rubber and waxes should never be used on vinyl. Virtually all vinyl manufacturers agree that no type of silicone oil should be used on vinyl. Silicone oil vinyl treatments should not be used for several reasons: 1. Silicone oils typically attack the vinyl topcoat by trapping heat. 2. Silicone oils contain no effective UV screening ingredients. 3. Silicone oil formulas are greasy, build-up products which attract dust, and soil more quickly. READ THE LABEL! Product directions suggesting more than one coat for better cosmetic enhancements are build-up products and not recommended by vinyl manufacturers. . |
