Cream / white vinyl upholstery

[dirtygertie]

I'm thinking of re-upholstering my van in vinyl (its currently black faux suede which is a dog hair magnet )

It has been suggested to me that going for a cream or white with a coloured piping would look nice and I agree that it would.......I would like to ask anyone who's gone down the very pale vinyl upholstery route if they have problems keeping it clean (including any surface stitching) baring in mind I have 3 dogs I'm a little hesitant to go pale.

[kevtherev]

Ahem..
I did ...and would again
My centre panels are automotive fabric expensive but it does take cleaning very well with no distortion or fraying/pilling (bobbles)
The vinyl though is very easy to keep clean.
Choice of the "pattern" or leather effect is important here, too busy or deep and the grime collects and is hard but not impossible to remove, to shiny and it looks awful, like plastic.
Never had a stain I couldn't remove with either :-

Window spirit
Vanish
Jiff
and a scouring sponge or scrubbing brush

with no effect on the appearance

My stitching is white.. and it still is where you can see it, weak bleachers will take care of anything that doesn't come off with soap and water or window spirit.

The only thing that I foolishly did, was place a hot pan on the seat.. it was just hot enough to remove the leather effect..
All in all It was done three years ago, and I think it still looks cool.

[dirtygertie]

I do love the look of your interior Kev, it always looks neat and tidy........Cream or off white vinyl is far easier (and cheaper) to obtain than pretty colours - but would obviously go for upholstery grade with only a slight grain effect.

I don't think any sort of fabric apart from perhaps draylon (which isn't the look i'm going for) would be a good Idea with the dogs, I stress enough as it is about keeping the van clean & tidy when we all go camping - I think if fabric was involved I'd have a breakdown!!

I may just go for it; just need the time and ££ now!

[kevtherev]

I was given a large selection of grain effects, with hindsight I would not choose the one I had. (parchment)
there was one called vellum and another hide, they would have been even easier to clean.
the trimmer had all these and more in the shade

here's his website and some prices, not cheap but good quality and service http://www.traffictrim.co.uk/gallery-vw.html

[Cazz]

Baby wet wipes are fantastic for cleaning many surfaces, including vinyl.
It's scary how much muck they fetch off, try it and see. Who knows what it does to a babys skin.

[dirtygertie]

I was given a large selection of grain effects, with hindsight I would not choose the one I had. (parchment)
there was one called vellum and another hide, they would have been even easier to clean.
the trimmer had all these and more in the shade

here's his website and some prices, not cheap but good quality and service http://www.traffictrim.co.uk/gallery-vw.html

thanks Kev, even though I love your trimmings ( ) I don't have the funds to pay to have it done.....like with everything else that happens to my van It'll be a homebrew jobbie!!!

[kevtherev]

...and very smart it will be too, I'll bet.

[..lee..]

how do you find the vinyl in the back to sleep on. its bound to be different but does it cause any issues?????

[kevtherev]

we thought of this and decided not to risk getting sweaty in the hot summer months
So the "big cushion" (over the engine) is covered entirely in the automotive fabric, as we put our heads this end.. and as you can see so are the seat panels.

[dirtygertie]

how do you find the vinyl in the back to sleep on. its bound to be different but does it cause any issues?????

I always put a double sleeping bag down to sleep on so I'm not anticipating any problems (apart from possible slippage if parked on an incline ) I will also take the opportunity to cover the top of the existing foam with a piece of memory foam for extra comfort

[wodge]

give us a call and i'll sort you a good price out or i can get you your cover if you want