Vinyl seat repair

[Bsly]

We have recently purchased a 2014 suntracker pontoon boat. Some areas of the backs of the seats are showing wear. Dried out vinyl. What is best way to repair?

 

[jlh3rd]

Best way?....new seats or re-upholster. You can see similar damage I had in the pic. I went as long as I could.
You can possible stretch a few years using a majic eraser, and vinyl cleaners. I also used a small sponge with some clorox in it on just those areas. It helped but eventually it hits a point of no return.
The issue, as in my case, was caused by the cover pressing against the vinyl under summer sun. The heat gets concentrated and bakes the vinyl over periods of years. Mine did last 17 years, not too bad.
My hopeful cure is my new, white cover with extra padding sewn in where the cover touches the seat backs and sundeck. It's a catch 22 unless your boat is in a covered slip.
Some have said it can be painted with a vinyl paint.

 

[Bsly]

We have recently purchased a 2014 suntracker pontoon boat. Some areas of the backs of the seats are showing wear. Dried out vinyl. What is best way to repair?

Has anyone tried vinyl paint with luck?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Your vinyl is toast. Only way to fix is replace

Vinyl no longer lasts more than 7-10 years since the reformulations back in 2004 when they got rid of arsenic as the anti-microbial

 

[Grub54891]

Your vinyl is toast. Only way to fix is replace

Vinyl no longer lasts more than 7-10 years since the reformulations back in 2004 when they got rid of arsenic as the anti-microbial

Yes. I have a parts boat that sits uncovered all year round. The seats still look ok at least the Vinal does, the wood is shot. On my newer pontoon the vinal needs to be replaced. Wish they still made good stuff.....

 

[tpenfield]

I do boat upholstery when I'm not working on other stuff. The best way (pretty much the only way) is to have it re-upholstered. For pontoons, it is sometimes easier (less expensive) to buy new seats.

 

[cyclops222]

Why a FULL boat cover made of sunbrella is needed.
AND USED !!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Wish they still made good stuff.....

Best vinyl I have used is Sunbrella horizon. They have a 5 year anti-pinking warranty

Today's treated lumber only lasts about 7-10 years as compared to 20+ because they quit using arsenic

Recommend seat covers for storage going forward

 

[airshot]

Back in my younger days, I was a car guy and vinyl roofs were popular. We used " D&L hand cleaner" with landline to clean and protect our vinyl roots in showroom condition. It is still made under another brand name if you search. Your stuff may be to far gone, but the hand cleaner is only a few bucks and might be worth a try. My neighbor is a car collecter, and still uses this stuff on his old car roofs and interiors and they still look like new. Just some food for thought.....

 

[jlh3rd]

Why a FULL boat cover made of sunbrella is needed.
AND USED !!

it was a full Sunbrella boat cover by Dowco that burned the tops of my seats.....and the OP's. That's the catch 22 with SOME pontoons. That's the tan cover on the floor.
hope the new white one works.