The Best Boat Vinyl Cleaners for 2020

As of today, vinyl wrapping is getting more popular when it comes to boat covering due to its affordability and easy installation procedure. However, the extreme condition of the marine environment and the usual wear-and-tear makes the maintenance and cleaning of this type of covering equally important.

For this reason, all boat owners use the best boat vinyl cleaner to clean and maintain the vinyl coverings of their boats. In this article, we will be reviewing 12 of the best marine vinyl cleaner and boat care products that an owner can use to clean and maintain their boat’s vinyl covers.

Best Boat Vinyl Cleaner Reviews

1. 3M Marine Vinyl Cleaner

We all know that boats are constantly exposed to difficult conditions such as the constant temperature changes, the strong effect of the sunlight, and the difficult water condition. All these factors can greatly affect the boat in so many ways and the need to protect it is so important.

Because of this, you need the best marine vinyl protectant that not only cleans but protects the boat at the same time. For me, the 3M Marine Vinyl Cleaner, Conditioner, & Protector is the perfect product that meets the needs in maintaining and cleaning the major parts of your boat.

I was amazed at how this product was so easy to apply to the vinyl and other leather parts of the boat. The instruction was easy and all you have to do is follow and you will have the cleanest and well-maintained boat at the quickest time possible.

Meanwhile, I was also mesmerized by the ability of this product to restoring old furnitures in my boat. Apparently, it comes with a formula that restores and rejuvenates old furniture to make it look new again.

But the best feature that caught my attention is its capability to remove dirt in any type of seats, covers, boat bumpers and other similar materials quickly. As it turns out, it comes with a cleaning agent that masterfully remove any type of dirt in different parts of your boat.

However, the only downside of this product is the relatively high-price compared to the competition. Maybe there are other products that do the same results but it’s for you to find out.

2. Meguiar’s M5716SP Marine Vinyl Cleaner

Quality and affordability are the two words that best describe the next boat interior cleaning products that we are going to review. It is one of the highly-rated vinyl cleaners in the market that provides protection and cleans vinyl surfaces in your boat.

The feature that stands out the most about this product is the mixture of high-quality and premium ingredients that enables it to shine and clean all vinyl, plastic, and even rubber surfaces in your boat. This will ensure that your boat will be heavily protected and well-maintained against constant usage and the harsh condition of the marine environment.

I also like that it leaves a natural glossiness to all surfaces after the application. This is completely different from the artificial and greasy appearance that other products give as a result of the application.

Meanwhile, the special formula and ingredients which were used to make this product also enable it to condition and protect the different surfaces of the boat from the difficult conditions of the marine surroundings. In short, it will protect the vinyl surfaces from fading, cracking, or even drying as a result of the difficult condition.

In terms of usage, this product comes with an easy-to-use spray trigger that provides convenience to the cleaner during the application. This is truly one of the best boat interior cleaner products that you can purchase as it offers a lot of features and benefits.

As good as this product is, the only downside is it leaves a foul odor after the application. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the manufacturer immediately.

3. 303 Products 30204 Multi-Surface Marine Cleaner

This next vinyl cleaner takes pride as one of the best boat upholstery cleaner available in the market today. Flexibility is also the word that best describes this product as it can also be used on any type of vinyl surfaces.

However, the feature that caught my interest is its ability to remove stains quickly while revitalizing discolored and old surfaces as it brings back its freshness and glossiness. This is due to the different ingredients that provide optimum cleaning power while protecting and cleaning different parts of the boat.

I also liked that it does not leave any oily residue after the application which is totally different from other regular vinyl cleaners. Other regular products even leave a foul odor which is not good to the users of the boat.

Safety is also another factor that makes this product stands out. I am amazed at how this product was manufactured without the presence of alcohol and bleach but remains effective in protecting and cleaning any types of surfaces in the boat.

Furthermore, this vinyl cleaner is manufactured and made in the USA which means the quality is almost guaranteed. As an added feature, this product can also be used on selected house cleaning activities.

However, as good as this product is, the downside is it cannot be used on PVC or plastic surfaces. Be sure to find another product if you have to clean these types of surfaces.

4. Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover

Looking for a product to clean boat seats is now easy with this product from Star Brite. This is a vinyl stain remover that specializes in removing stains coming from mildew and mold. Its usage is not limited to vinyl as it has been proven effective to clean and protect plastic, fiber glass, wood, tile, and concrete.

What I like best about this product is how it cleans upholstery fabrics found inside the boat. As it turns out, it comes with a specialized bleach technology that will not destroy nor harmed the fabrics including the threads and the stitches.

Furthermore, this product is a cleaner and a stain remover rolled into one product. It is composed of effective ingredients and fast-acting formula that removes stains, dirt, grime, and grease. This product is truly the best way to clean vinyl boat seats that has stains coming from mold and mildew.

Meanwhile, this product also comes with an easy-to-use spray bottle that enables the cleaner to apply it easily in any area. In fact, you do not need to spray heavily as you only need to spray to the affected area until the stain disappears.

In addition, this is also a product that is proudly made in the USA which means the quality will go hand-in-hand. In fact, the company which produces this product has been making similar products for the last 40 years.

The downside of this product is the quality of its container. I have noticed that the bottle is loosely covered and it leaks after a few weeks of using. Although this is a minor issue, this should be taken care of by the manufacturer.

5. Marine 31 Fabric Vinyl Cleaner

In this part of this boat vinyl protectant reviews, we will be featuring the only biodegradable product in this article. Yes, the Marine 31 Fabric and Vinyl Cleaner was made to be eco-friendly and non-toxic which made me proud of this particular product.

I have tested this product on my boat’s cushions, boat covers, and seats and the result were absolutely perfect. This product was made to remove staining, dirt, and even some form of mildew to any vinyl and fabric surface.

In terms of flexibility, this product can clean most of the parts of your boat. I have personally experienced this to be effective in deck awnings, Bimini tops, boat and sail covers, marine cushions, and even on inflatable boats.

In terms of its usage, this product has an easy application process. All you have to is spray on the area and there is definitely no need for scrubbing to get the desired results. As a bonus, this vinyl cleaner does not leave any unpleasant smell after the application.

Another feature that I want to emphasize is the easy-to-use spray bottle which will provide comfort to the cleaner during the cleaning process. All you have to do is spray and wait for the dirt to be removed quickly.

However, there is a minor issue that all everyone must know and that is about the proper usage of the product. This product was not made to remove mildew as there are other products from the company that was specifically made for it.

6. Star Brite 96232 Vinyl Cleaner

A lot of boat experts said that this vinyl restorer for boats is one of the toughest in terms of removing dirt, stains, and grimes to any vinyl surfaces. However, as tough as it is, this will not bring any damage to the vinyl surfaces of your boat.

I am also amazed at how this product was made without any strong chemicals and acids which means it is safe to use to anyone.

Furthermore, this product was designed to be effective on any surfaces made of vinyl, leather, and rubber. This is called flexibility and I really like this feature as this product is effective to different types of surfaces.

For this product to be more effective, the need to use cloth is important in wiping out the dirt after the spraying of the product. For stronger stains, the need to reapply a few more times is necessary to see an effective result.

This product also comes with a spray bottle which means it is easy to use and apply during the cleaning process. After spraying, wipe the dirt using a cloth in a circular motion to achieve the best result.

Last but certainly not least, this product was manufactured and made in the USA which means that the quality is extremely high.

However, the downside of this product is the quality of the container. I see the cap a little bit loose and is composed of low-quality materials.

7. Spray Nine 26932 Marine Cleaner

The next product that we are going to review is probably one of the more popular vinyl cleaners in the market today. In fact, this product is the top-rated vinyl cleaner according to PowerBoat while the Practical Sailor considered this as one of the top-rated general cleaners.

Does this rating support what it does in the real environment? I would definitely say yes as I have tried and tested this product in many parts of my boat.

Furthermore, I consider this product as a multi-purpose cleaner where it not only cleans surfaces but also disinfects to help maintain the cleanliness of the boat.

I am also impressed by how this product can keep your boat germ-free as it can eradicate germs and bacteria quickly. It can also make your boat look fresh and new as it removes stains and discoloration of vinyl surfaces.

Furthermore, aside from germs and microscopic bacteria, this product has also the ability to prevent and control molds and even mildew from developing in vinyl surfaces and carpets. This will make your boat clean, healthy, and free from any dangerous bacteria that might affect people inside the boat.

Aside from cleaning vinyl boat seats, this vinyl cleaner can be used to clean on other surfaces of the boats such as canvas, cushions, fiberglass, inflatables, and even lifejackets. This product will give you a lot of features and uses to help clean and refreshes your boat.

The only minor issue that I experience with this particular product is the poor quality of the container. When not handled properly, there is a tendency that it will leak even during the shipping.

8. Meguiar’s M4016 Mirror Glaze Vinyl Rubber Cleaner

Upon noticing that the vinyl and rubber surfaces of your boat begin to fade due to aging and other factors, do not lose hope immediately. This is because this product can help you revive and rejuvenate these surfaces using a specialized solution and ingredients.

Aside from revitalizing faded surfaces, this specialized formulated product has the ability to leave a natural glossiness to the surface which makes it look fresh, new, and natural. This is in contrast with other regular vinyl cleaners that normally leaves an artificial appearance after the application.

I am also amazed at the convenience this product offers during the cleaning process. All you have to do is spray to the target area while wiping it after a few minutes. You will immediately notice the result and the restoration of the surface being applied to.

In terms of versatility, this product is one of the best commercially in terms of its usage to boat surfaces. In fact, it can be used anywhere, whether it’s the exterior or the interior part of the boat. In addition, it also deep clean any surfaces making it totally clean and germ-free while making it fresh and restored.

As good as this product is, however, there is one minor issue that I noticed and this is the strong smell it produces during the application. This may not be good for others who do not like to smell strong fragrances during the application or cleaning process.

9. Mothers 91424 Marine Vinyl Rubber Care

If you are wondering on how to refresh old surfaces in your boats and make it look brand new, then this vinyl cleaner is the perfect choice for you. This product has the ability to revive and revitalize old vinyl surfaces in your boat and make it new again.

I also like that this product is not only limited to vinyl as it can also be used on rubberized surfaces as well. With its unique and specialized formula, this product has the ability to clean even the deepest part of any surfaces leaving any part of your boat clean and germ-free.

In addition to the above mention, this product takes pride in its easy application process. All you have to do is spray to the chosen area and use a cloth to thoroughly clean any vinyl or rubberized surfaces. You will definitely see the effect and the result immediately.

Another advantage of using this product is its ability to leave a clean surface without the greasy residue that usually found in regular vinyl cleaner. Furthermore, this product smell so good compared to other vinyl cleaners available commercially.

My only issue with this product is its poor plastic bottle. This has been a problem not only on this particular product but the other products that were reviewed earlier. The poor plastic container has the tendency to crack and leak if not handled properly.

10. Boater’s Edge Mildew Stain Remover

If you are looking for a boat upholstery cleaner and protectant for your boat, then this product is highly recommended. This vinyl cleaner not only removes stains but also cleans dirt, grimes, and grease to any vinyl surfaces.

Convenience is the best benefit that you can get from this product using its easy-usage feature. All you have to do is spray to the targeted area until the stain will be removed. Wait for a few minutes before rinsing and wiping the dirt to finish the application and see the immediate result.

Aside from vinyl upholstery, I also like the versatility of this product in cleaning different surfaces such as fiberglass, wood, concrete, roofs, and gutters. This only means that this vinyl cleaner is your best option in cleaning almost all the parts of your boat.

Technology-wise, this product also has something to offer. The advanced buffered-beached technology it uses makes this product safe from any fabrics and upholstery surfaces. In fact, it will not damage nor destroy the stitching or even the threads found in the upholstery surfaces.

Finally, this product is proud to be manufactured and made in the USA which means the quality will always be present.

The only downside that I see in this product is the need to do a lot of scrubbing to those strong and old stains. For me, this is normal if you are dealing with stains that have been on the surface for a long time but the effort in doing the scrubbing along is a minus for me.

11. IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner

If you are looking for a unique but special cleaner designed to clean and protect the strata glass of your boat, then this product is the perfect solution. This protective cleaner was specially formulated and made not only to clean but also to shine and protect strata glass and other similar surfaces made of clear plastics.

I am also amazed at how this product was made to prevent the glass from being brittle even because of aging. It will also make the surface more flexible and shine as it revives and rejuvenate the surface of the glass and maintain its clarity.

I also like the safety of this product in terms of its chemical composition as this was made to not only clean but also protect the user from the use of harsh chemicals. Clearly, this protective cleaner does not a strong chemical that may affect the user and the surfaces.

The best feature that will convince you to use this product is the sunscreen formula that will make the glass resistant from UV rays. This will help in extending the life of your strata glass wherever it is located in your boat. I have personally used this in the windows of my boats and it has produced the best result for me and my boat.

However, one minor issue of this vinyl cleaner is the product’s relatively high-price compared to the competition. Certainly, there are other brands that are available and has a lesser price tag.

12. CarGuys Multi Surface Vinyl Cleaner

The final product that we are going to review is not only effective for cars but also for boats and furniture found inside our home. This is an effective multi-purpose cleaner that remove dirt even at its smallest molecular particle using an advanced technological formulation.

The good thing about this vinyl cleaner is it provides convenience especially in cleaning different vinyl surfaces in your boats. I have personally witnessed how it effectively clean the interior and exterior surfaces without exerting too much effort.

This product also brings versatility in terms of cleaning different surfaces such as rubber, leather, vinyl, canvass, metal, and upholstery surfaces. It will also clean even the most unusual dirt such as tree sap, bird poop, grease, and other similar dirt.

Furthermore, this product provides the cleanest possible result upon applying to any surface. It does not leave any greasy residue which is normal coming from a regular cleaner.

Finally, this is a risk-free product which means that if you are not satisfied with the result, you will be able to get a full refund of your purchase. I like the confidence of the company in having this policy. They truly believe in the effectiveness of this product in cleaning and shining any surfaces in your boat.

However, as good as this product is, this was not formulated and made to be effective with glass and other delicate materials.

Boat Vinyl Cleaner Buying Guide

Who is This for?

The boat vinyl cleaner is for the boat owners who want to clean and maintain all the interior and exterior parts of their boats. This is also for those who want to remove stains from mildew and molds found in the upholstery fabrics found in the boat whether it is in the chairs, cushions, and other important parts of the sea vessel.

These products were also formulated to improve the appearance of old and aging vinyl surfaces of the boat. Furthermore, vinyl cleaners are perfect for boat owners who want to provide extra protection of their boat from the devastating effects of the ultraviolet rays. This will help in prolonging the life expectancy of the vinyl covers as well as the boat in general.

The boat vinyl cleaner is also intended for boat owners who want to restore the freshness of their old and aging interior and exterior parts of the boat. There are vinyl cleaners that restore and rejuvenates vinyl surfaces especially the color that was lost because of aging.

Features to Consider When Buying Boat Binyl Cleaners

If you are planning to purchase a vinyl pool cleaner in the coming days, it is important to know the different features of a high-quality vinyl cleaner. By knowing these features, it will guide you in choosing the best vinyl cleaner for your boat.

Easy-Usage Feature

Consider a boat vinyl cleaner that is easy to use before and during the application or cleaning process. Of course, a lot of these brands have their own procedures or manuals but it is good to choose a brand with a simple procedure during the application process.

There are brands that also comes with an easy-to-use spray bottle that brings a lot of convenience to the cleaner. This type of brand should be highly-considered because you will not exert a lot of effort during the cleaning operation.

Effective and Quick-Acting Ingredients

When planning to purchase a vinyl boat cleaner, choose the one that effectively remove stains, dirt, and grimes effectively at the fastest available time. With a lot of brands available commercially, the need to do research on the ingredients of each brand and the effectivity of the product should be prioritized.

Comes With a Nice Fragrance

When you want the vinyl surfaces of your boat clean and well-maintained, it is also good when it smells nicely after the cleaning process. Because of this, it is a must for you to buy a vinyl cleaner that leaves a nice fragrance after the application.

This is because there is a lot of the same product that comes with a bad odor and leave an unpleasant smell after the cleaning process. The odor will bring a lot of uncomfortable experience for the people using the boat.

Offers Versatility and Flexibility

Another feature that you must consider is the flexibility and versatility feature of a boat vinyl cleaner. This means that you must consider a product that has the ability to be effective on different types of surfaces.

Even though the boat is dominated by vinyl surfaces, there are also other surfaces found in the boat that needs to be clean. So, choosing a cleaner that is versatile enough to be effective in different surfaces can go a long way in cleaning the whole area of your boat.

Safe Chemical Composition

The boat vinyl cleaners were manufactured to clean and maintain the vinyl surfaces of the boat. However, not all products are made with safe chemical composition and some even contain chemical elements that destroy and damage vinyl surfaces. So if I were you, you need to carefully choose a vinyl cleaner that is safe to the cleaner and to the boat as well.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a boat vinyl cleaner

Advantages

Disadvantages

Care and Maintenance

There are a lot of ways to take care of and maintain a boat vinyl product. The best thing to do is to follow the instruction on the proper ways to handle and caring for the product. Furthermore, the most important thing is to put the product in a safe place that is unreachable from children. This is for safety purposes as these products are composed of chemicals that might not be good for children if inhaled.

Boat Vinyl Cleaner FAQs

How to Use a Boat Seat Cleaner?

The boat seat cleaner is the ultimate answer if you want to remove dirt, stains, mildew, and other unwanted things found in the boat seat. This product was designed to clean, shine, and make the seat of your boat feel rejuvenated and look new again.

There are different ways to use a boat seat cleaner depending on the brand you are using. But generally speaking, almost all cleaners comes with an easy-to-use spray bottle which can be used to apply the cleaner to the targeted area. The next thing to do is wiped it with a cloth to fully maximize the result.

If you are not familiar, a lot of boat seat cleaners are made with safe chemicals that were designed to thoroughly clean vinyl surfaces in the boat. So, if you are afraid that it might damage or destroy the boat seats, you got it all wrong. In fact, a lot of these products are composed of chemicals that are safe to use and do not harm your boat seats.

What is The Best Product to Clean Boat Seats?

Obviously, there are a lot of products that are available commercially and if you are the boat owner, it will be an enormous challenge to choose the best. However, in the products that we reviewed earlier, there are a lot of vinyl cleaners that you can used to clean and maintain the boat seats.

Based on the quality and the ability to provide the best results, I would recommend the products coming from Starbrite which was reviewed in this article. The Ultimate Vinyl Clean and the Mold and Mildew Stain Remover will stand out in cleaning your boat seats.

Other notable products worth mentioning are the Boater’s Edge mildew stain remover and Mother’s Marine vinyl and rubber care. All these products mention has been proven to remove dirt and molds while also protecting the boat seats from the effects of time and aging.

What is The Warranty Policy?

The warranty of a boat seat cleaner differs from brand to brand as each company offers different terms or policies. But regardless of the terms, please be reminded that the warranty is an integral part of your purchase because it will protect you from any problems or defects coming from the product.

Always make sure to know the terms of the warranty before buying or purchasing anything whether its online or in the supermarket. This will not only protect you but it will also prove that the product that you purchase is legit and not fake.

So, once you encounter a problem or you find a defect upon purchasing a boat seat cleaner, it is a must to use and exercise the warranty. Depending on the policy, you might need to refund it or have it change with a new item. The most important thing is you have the protection just in case the product you purchase has a problem or defect.

How do You Get Stains Out of Vinyl Boats?

There are a lot of factors that causes the stains not only in the boat seat but also the other parts of the boat. The constant usage of the boat and the failure to maintain and clean it properly will definitely lead to the development of stain in any part of the boat.

Failure to properly clean the boat seats will enable the molds and mildew to develop which is normal in the marine environment. And these fungi can greatly stain different surfaces in your boat such as in the chairs, tables, and other parts.

Other factors that may stain your boat are coming from food and drinks spillage, dirt accumulation, animal poop, and many more. The most important thing is to clean and maintain your boat regularly and properly in order to prevent the stain from developing.

How do You Remove Mildew from Vinyl Boat Seats?

Mildew is a type of fungus that is caused by moisture and humidity, two factors that are normal in a marine environment. Somehow, this fungus is also related to molds as they work similarly in creating stains and dirt in any boat.

The best and probably the easiest way to remove or eradicate mildew from your boat is to use a vinyl cleaner that specializes in removing mildew. We have featured a few products from the review earlier and these products have been proven to effectively remove this fungus.

This review earlier mentioned the mildew stain remover from Boater’s Edge and Starbrite are just two of many products that can effectively remove this fungus from your boat. These products have been proven to effectively removes mildew and prevent them from coming back in the boat.

How do You Clean White Marine Vinyl?

There are a lot of ways to clean a white marine vinyl but the best and probably the easiest way is to use a vinyl cleaner to do the work. There are a lot of vinyl cleaner that effectively remove stains and dirt from white marine vinyl.

The application is basically the same when cleaning other vinyl surfaces but the need to exert effort during the cleaning may be needed. This is because of the color in which the stains and dirt are visible so you might need to do a little scrubbing to remove thoroughly the dirt from this type of vinyl.

Finally, after removing the dirt, you might need to use a vinyl protector in order to protect the surface from staining again.

Conclusion

Making your boat free from dirt, stains, mildew, molds, and grease is the best way to prevent it from getting old quickly. Using the best boat vinyl cleaner is the safest choice that you can do to clean and maintain every part of your boat.

In this article, we have reviewed 12 of the best vinyl cleaners available that are all available in the market today. We hope that the information that we provide can help you in choosing the right product for the cleaning and maintenance of your boat. Certainly, our product recommendations have been proven to be effective in removing stains and dirt found on every corner of the boat.