Cleaning cockpit cushions

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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,027
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]We have the 1986 OEM tan Catalina cockpit cushions on our C34, same as the ones we had on our 1981 C22 which we moved to our C25.

What have you found is good for cleaning them?[/FONT]
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Stu: I would try Simple Green and a soft brush. When you are done rinse them with a hose and let them dry.
 
anchorclanker

anchorclanker

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May 27, 2012
1,152
Oday 222 Beaver Lake, Arkansas
Wow, we are doing the same thing this very day. Several cushions had light mold/mildew stains (though didnt really smell). We were afraid if we took the covers off we would have trouble getting them back on, as well as afraid the fabric would disintegrate in the washer. My wife wanted to clean them on the cushion, but I wanted them cleaner than that even if they were going to end up in the trash in the process.

I monkeyed around three days trying to loosen up the zippers, and gave up. The sliders were so corroded I finally cut them off. If we cant get sliders put back on I'll just sew the zipper shut.

But they didnt disintegrate, and they came out looking really good and smelling fresh. Were going to wash them one more time with some lysol (the brown bottle), and start putting them back together. The check list is nearing the end.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,265
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Stu ...

Have you thought about modernizing your decor, at least into the current century??? :D
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,027
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Thanks, Scott, but no! :) It's a 1986 boat and I ain't gettin' a new boat, don't want one, have everything just the way I like it.

FWIW to those of you responding, they're the vinyl covered OEM Catalina cushions, not fabric. I don't need to remove the covers, just clean 'em, 'cuz our zippers are stuck, too!
 
gpd955

gpd955

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Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
I've tried just about everything Stu and found that the Magic Eraser works best for me. Did all my cushions in May and they are bright white now. I actually did a half and half comparison to show the Admiral and the difference was night and day. Should've took a pic.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,803
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Stu,
i did mine with Clorox Clean Up then rinsed them. When they dried I used a little Aerospace 303. They look pretty good.
 
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Solstice

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May 10, 2008
392
Catalina 355 Boston
Stu,
My 320 had the vinyl cockpit cushions--white no less and we ended up following a Practical Sailor recommendation. Using Marine Spray Nine, we sprayed the cushions liberally and let that sit for a couple of minutes. We then used a soft hand brush (blue bristles) and gently brushed the cushion. Then wipe with a paper towel and finally wipe with a towel that is slightly damp. The first time you may have to do it a couple of times, but once clean, if you do it once a year they will look like new. 13 years and ours looked like they came from the factory.....
 
centerline

centerline

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
letting the cleaner work for a bit is the key to it working how it is supposed to.... spray it on and let is set for 10 or 20 minutes.... i use a medium bristle brush and then wipe it down..... then a wet towel to rinse and then wipe dry.... I like simple green the best cuz it is easy to come by and it smells decent..... I would shy away from a heavily chlorinated cleaner as it can damage vinyl over time...
purple power is good too, but it smells like hell..... and burns your nose and eyes.... but its good on grungy waterlines....
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

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May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
I am also using the new Clorox general purpose cleaner in a pump spray bottle. I spray the heavy spots, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, and then let the cushion sit. When I rinse off with a hose I can see the dirt wash away.

My 10 year old white cushions look like new.
 
Allan12210

Allan12210

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Jan 22, 2008
1,665
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
Stu,

I have been having good luck with Totally Awesome sold at the Dollar Store in Alameda by the Lucky. It has been lifting dirt from my boat better than anything I've used before. Its only a buck for a bottle.

Allan
 
LuzSD

LuzSD

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Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
Stu, just an added thought for you to consider, since you have exactly what we had when we bought our boat.

We had the tan/white vinyl cushions and liked them, though they needed cleaning. We also noticed that with any dampness in the air, they were wet....and I love sitting out late in the evening listening to music etc. so that was frustrating. A couple years later we did the NP-Ensenada race on a friends boat and they'd just gotten their cushions covered with Sumbrella. The interesting thing was that they did not get wet in the damp evenings........and stayed warm when we were sitting on them. We covered ours when we got back and have never regretted it. They are used much more now because of the comfort (cool to sit on in the sun, and warm in the evenings.

Just an idea having been there!:) As you say, your boat, your choice :)
 
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