When you
say “vinyl,” most people think about old records or car interiors; but it’s one
of the most frequently used materials in RVs as well–if you don’t believe us,
just have a look around yours. Knowing how to identify, handle, and clean vinyl
will be essential for maintaining your RV’s “brand-new” look.
Where to Find RV Vinyl
How do
you know what’s vinyl in your RV and what’s merely plastic? First, you have to
know where to look.
Vinyl is
typically found in seats, tops, upholstery, fenders, bumpers, and many other
“rubber” like finishes around the RV. Vinyl can even be found in wood planks
for RV–in short, it’s found just about everywhere because of its affordability and overall ability to handle the daily wear and tear that
occurs in RV interiors.
Have a
look around your RV and try to diagnose where the vinyl is inside your vehicle.
It has a soft, rubber or plastic-like texture that’s in stark contrast to wood,
metal and fiberglass. What’s more, it will usually be easy to clean–so long
as you have the right cleaner and know all of the proper steps for ensuring
long-term protection.
Tips for Cleaning RV Vinyl
Vinyl is
used in RVs because it’s durable and easy to clean, but that doesn’t mean you
can spray down your whole RV interior and assume that the job is done. If you
want to treat your vinyl right, try to stick to the following steps:
●Clear out your vinyl. Any “big” debris and dust spots should be
cleared out before you spray your vinyl down so that there are no gaps in the
cleaning. Sometimes this can require vacuuming, but if you clean often enough,
you might be able to skip this step.
●Spray your vinyl with vinyl cleaner. Make sure you have a dual cleaner-protectant: VinyLIFE Cleaner & Protectant allows
you to clear away dust, grime and debris while offering UV protection after
it’s been applied.
●Wipe the vinyl down thoroughly. When you’re using a cleaner and protectant, you’ll want to make sure that the entire vinyl
piece is protected, which means giving it a good wiping/rubbing for full
coverage. Remember that you’re adding UV protection at this point; think of it
like applying sunscreen.
Words of Warning for Vinyl Cleaning Products
Vinyl may
be durable, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to chemical damage. When you use
VinyLIFE, you’re using a solvent-free and abrasive-free cleaning method that
will leave your vinyl looking smooth and protected. Make sure to always avoid
solvents and abrasives when you clean
out your vinyl; failing to do so could lead to long-term damage that leads to replacing the vinyl.
As with
all of the materials in your RV– fiberglass, stainless steel, and the
like– it’s always important to match your cleaner to what you’re cleaning. Browse through the RV cleaners we have available
to make sure you have the products on hand to give your RV a thorough cleaning
whenever it needs it.
