Pink Spots On My Boat’s Vinyl Upholstery

Skipper September 9, 2004 Ask The Skipper

Question:
I have some pink discolor spots from what I suspect is a combination of sun & mildew on my used Pursuit Denali’s seats. I have used all your products after purchasing at the Toronto Boat Show a few years ago. Vinyl can be tricky…
Any safe ideas in your line?

Regards,
Doug Mcphail

Answer:
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Hi Doug

The solution used by most professionals for tough spots on vinyl is a 50/50 solution of Boat Clean Plus and Boat Scrub. Try rubbing a small spot with this solution on a cloth or a small scrub brush.

I suspect that your problem may be indelible and therefore irreversible. In our experience, pink spots are usually the result of using the wrong cleaner. Corrosive cleaners like can react under the influence of UV from the sun to produce these indelible stains. This is not the only cause but the most common. Other causes can be mildew, except that their stains are usually darker or purple. Another cause is from improperly manufactured vinyl. There were some isolated manufacturing problems back in the late 80’s or early 90’s, but I have never heard of these problems on Pursuit’s.

If you can get the stains out, I would suggest that you immediately coat your vinyl with Vinyl Guard (once a year application) to prevent further occurrences of staining and to use non corrosive cleaners like Boat Clean Plus only when you have to. Vinyl Guard protected surfaces can usually be cleaned with water. Suntan oil can also degrade vinyl and Vinyl Guard will protect against that as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar