OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Mick D on April 24, 2012, 08:56:54 pm

Title: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on April 24, 2012, 08:56:54 pm
I just received a NOS seat in the post today. It is about 30 years old, and the vinyl cover is hard nearly to the point of brittle.

Does any one know of any conditioner or secret potion that would help to soften it at all.

Thanks in advance, if anyone has any suggestions.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: matcho mick on April 24, 2012, 11:23:08 pm
Mick,spray it with lanox mate!,(inox with lanolin innit), :P
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: bruiser on May 06, 2012, 01:54:22 pm
Hi Mick,
Did that stuff actually work?
I have the same problem with a seat that the vinyl is very hard!

I have seen some Inox with Lanolin in a spray can at supercheap auto.
Does anyone know if this stuff would soften a vinyl seat cover?

Thanks

Bruiser.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: mike1948 on May 06, 2012, 03:40:04 pm
Just be careful, a lot of the vinyl treatments will make you slide right off the bike.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on May 06, 2012, 03:56:37 pm
Just be careful, a lot of the vinyl treatments will make you slide right off the bike.
:D :D


Hi Bruiser, I am not going to bullshit you. At this point, it is still the nucleus of an ongoing highly scientific experiment.
(http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/mc125mick/FORUM233.jpg)

Truth is, I been weally weally busy ;D

Step 1; softened it in the sun.
Step 2; scrubbed it clean(to remove what ever the seller used to make it look good in the ebay listing)
Step 3; sprayed it with Matcho's secret potion and massaged it in with my hand every-time. Then leave it in the sun and repeat it whenever the weather or my schedule permits. I am using a thermometer to Identify the lowering nightly temps at which it becomes brittle again.

Although I do think it is actually starting to make a difference? I am not going to put Matcho back on the Chrissy card list just yet.

So far, it hasn't effected the white decals on the seat which is a relief ::)
So far, when buffed the dry scuffed shelf marks have disappeared :o

I will get back to you in another week Bruiser.
 
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: bruiser on May 06, 2012, 05:07:16 pm
Ok, thanks Mick. I look forward to the progress of you restoring the suppleness back, into your vinyl seat cover.

Thanks

Bruiser
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: firko on May 06, 2012, 05:53:08 pm
Experiment # 2:
I've got this stuff called RE-NU that's supposed to restore hard dashboard vinyl.....I'll give it a go over the next day or two.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on May 06, 2012, 08:28:19 pm
So far I have only tried Matcho's advice, and the jury is still out. (and Mick that is with respect, the thermometer will be the judge mate).

Firko, by any chance is this the stuff that you are referring to?
(http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/mc125mick/FORUM234.jpg)

(http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/mc125mick/FORUM235.jpg)




Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: firko on May 06, 2012, 10:23:47 pm
No Mick, it's an Aussie made product made by 2WP International pty, ltd in Frankston Victoria. Note spelling difference to your product. RE-NU....RENEW.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Turtle.Inc on May 07, 2012, 06:27:10 am
Ge-Wy leather dressing with lanolin and bees wax. Check in local saddlery near waratah overhead bridge. turns old onto new again
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on May 07, 2012, 08:35:29 am
Thanks Rossco, dragged a couple of old lazy stiff jackets out recently and I was wondering where I could get something like that.

Hey Firko, can you remember where you bought that RE-NU from?

And PS for any one that hasn't come across the product that I put up the pics of? PC RENEW as far as restoring the shine to plastic goes, It is absolutely brilliant. available at Ballards on line.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: pancho on May 07, 2012, 09:59:48 am
 I have been using Ge-Wy leather dressing on my one piece Aero leathers that I have been wearing off and on since 1963
  [and they still fit gloat gloat].
 Perfect for leather and make vinyl look good however I haven't tried it on old vinyl.
 cheers pancho.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: firko on May 07, 2012, 10:30:37 am
Quote
Hey Firko, can you remember where you bought that RE-NU from?
No idea Mick, it's been on the shelf you years. I had planned to use it on the dried up leather in my old black Jag but it's long gone. I'll give it a burl on an old seat I've got in the shed later today.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: bruiser on May 15, 2012, 11:55:54 am
Hi Mick,

Do you please have any updates on the progress and success, of reviving the suppleness of your vinyl seat cover?

Thanks

Bruiser
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on May 15, 2012, 07:07:03 pm
Hi Bruiser, no, so far no great hoorahs. Allthough

Yesterday, I finally made it to the place Turtle.Inc sugested for Ge-Wy.
The lady there with the beautiful face and perfect butt, told me they don't make Ge-Wy any more. I think she could of sold anything at the time, but she sold me this.
(http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/mc125mick/FORUM238.jpg)

She said it is the equivalent or the better to Ge-Wy.

It has Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oils, bee's wax and lanolin infused in it. I have been flashing on some other formulas as well,but I will try this for a week and let you know, cheers.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Curly3 on May 15, 2012, 07:28:47 pm
I used to use Saddle Soap on my leathers, always kept them soft & flexible.
Containing bee's wax it cleans & conditions leather.
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Mick D on May 15, 2012, 07:33:51 pm
Hey Slidey, how are the aches and pains coming along? Bummer hey. Good to read you'll still be around the sport to contribute though. Get well :)
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: Curly3 on May 15, 2012, 08:30:39 pm
Things are going pretty good thanks Mick, circulation and a stiff ankle are slowing things down a bit.
Cheers, Steve
Title: Re: How to Soften a Seat-Cover ??? anyone know
Post by: bruiser on August 10, 2012, 03:35:59 pm
Hi Mick,

Any luck with the seat cover softening process???


Bruiser