cleaning white vinyl

[Tim S.]

Does anyone have a neat trick or technique for cleaning white vinyl. I have an unrestored 65 with white and black interior and the white has yellowed some.

Thanks,
Tim

[John F.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

In the old days I had good luck with soapy water and a few shots of white-wall cleaner. Also use a soft brush if necessary.

[Jack H.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

Good suggestion! Often, white vinyl & rubber turning yellow comes from prior owner's use of various cleaning products intended to 'rejuvenate' the material. You need a simple cleaner that will 'lift' the residual of the prior cleaning products that has soaked in and it can take scrubbing persistance to actually get it up/out...

[Steven B.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

A friend ordered a '65 L-79 Nassau Blue 2 top car with white/blue interior, white soft top and whitewalls. A beautiful car! He used mild soap and warm water every week and when he had a tough mark or stain to remove it was Wesley's whitewall cleaner. The interior looked showroom for years and it was a daily driver. 'And he never used Armor All or any protectant.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Mike E.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

Tim--
I picked up a 64 convertible that had a white vinyl soft top. The top was almost new when the car was put away 33 years earlier, and stored without a cover. The gray/tan cleaned up well with Westley's whitewall cleaner and a lot of elbow grease.

[Mike M.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

My white interior was heavily yellowed, almost tan. I believe among other things, from nicotine and the associated tars.
I tried everything, none of the soaps, current cleaners or Wessley's would cut it.
"Goo Gone" did the trick. It seems to be a petrtroleum based product that proved to be effective on the stain.
Caution is advised, as the cloth I used showed some white being removed along with the yellow. This was probably necessary to remove what ever it was being well imbedded into the vinyl over many years.
FWIW
HaND

[Tim S.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

My white interior was heavily yellowed, almost tan. I believe among other things, from nicotine and the associated tars.
I tried everything, none of the soaps, current cleaners or Wessley's would cut it.
"Goo Gone" did the trick. It seems to be a petrtroleum based product that proved to be effective on the stain.
Caution is advised, as the cloth I used showed some white being removed along with the yellow. This was probably necessary to remove what ever it was being well imbedded into the vinyl over many years.
FWIW
HaND

Mike,
It seems I have run into the same thing you did. The largest problem I have is with the drivers seat and door panel (armrest) The rest of the interior cleaned up okay with warn soap and water. There is room for improvement on the whole interior but the 2 spots I mentioned were the ones that frustrated me. To all, thanks for your input. I'll try to post some pictures of the car soon (65 375hp 5 star)

Tim

[Paul H.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

Westley's Bleach White and a medium/soft bristle brush and water. Don't let it sit too long. Once dried follow it up with some 3M Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant. It's a nice combo I have used with success many times. Good luck.

[Anthony S.]

Re: cleaning white vinyl

You may want to try any store bought cleaner that specifically has the ingredients: dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride & dimethyl ethybenzyl ammonium chloride. It should clean the material and remove years of buildup from products (e.g, treatments, protection products, etc.) that have been applied (which tend to trap dirt/smoke/etc.) Then wipe with damp rag, dry. ALways test any products in an inconspicuous area first. Tony