You need to seal the surface!
Stickiness can occur with sun exposure of vinyl fenders lifelines, cowl vents, older West Marine and Zodiac vinyl inflatables. etc etc. This problem is increased by use of acetone and other harsh solvents and/or abrasives. The stickiness is cuased by platicizer being "cooked" out of the vinyl together with all its protective goodies. Non-selective solvents suchas acetone will remove this, together with the top "tight" layer of vinyl (compressed in the mould). How would you behave without your skin! You exude.....! The answer is to dissolve off the gum (and dried gum and partially broken down vinyl that is yellowish) with something more gentle (did I mention Sea Glow that also keeps the vinyl white?). To seal the surface you need something that forms a physical "skin" to keep the plasticizer down in the vinyl (did I mention Silkenseal?, MH Superglaze?). Although tire cleaner and other methods may work for a while. The secret is sealing the surface - not against water (as with a wax) but forming an actual new "skin: to keep the plasticizer down in the vinyl where it belongs. Being doing my lifelines for over 6 years now and they have kept white and are not sticky!
