Dye stains on vinyl.

[Grebo]

Hi, I have been helping out the OH with a couple of jobs, one is cleaning a bunch of saloon vinyl covered cushions, cream of course ( how I love cleaning  :( )  Well I gave them a good scrubbing with some jiff & they have come up real nice, apart from a couple of patches where I can see that the colouring has come out of some scatter cushions. Red & Blue  ???
I have no idea what kind of vinyl it is, fairly soft to the touch with a small 'leather look' grain to it.
Any bright ideas on what might shift the dye ?

Suzi

[Mike8560]

Fry mr. Cleans majik eraser

[Grebo]

Thanks Mike, will try it tomorrow.  ;D

Suzi

[byhammerandhand]

It's been a few years since I've done vinyl work, however:

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a light abrasive.  It might be too abrasive.   I use it to remove scuff marks and errant spray colored lacquer from painted walls and trim.

You might try isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as it is a selective solvent for many dyes and inks.   Do not use methanol (wood alcohol) as it can strip the protective and color layer right off.  Dampen a rag and use a sweeping motion.

Before you use either of the above, run a test in an inconspicuous spot to make sure you will "do no harm."

Some dyes will not come out successfully from a light colored vinyl (or leather) and the cure is to get  out what you can then re-color with leather / vinyl color coats.

[Grebo]

Thanks Keith, I didn't make it back to the boat today so will go armed with magic clean & rubbing alcohol on Monday  ;D

Suzi

[scottymc]

I find that wax and grease remover is on of the best things to use, it come under a variety of names that I cant recall at the moment. The stuff to use though is what is used in the auto paint shops, it is used as the last thing to wipe a car down before it is sprayed but does not affect the existing paintwork, which is what vinyl basically is, fabric with a paint job (try cleaning it with paint thinners and you will see) Handy stuff to have around ,good prep before gluing, which reminds me we call it "prepsol over here. 

[DBR1957]

An associate of mine use to do auto upholstery and used a product called
Acryliclean to remove marks. My favorite is 3M Sharpshooter. I use it first
before any alcohol, acetone or solvent type cleaner. If the 3M won't get
it off I warn the customer I'm not responsible for damage/discoloration before
I try a solvent.