How to clean and refresh a vinyl chair?

[ilox]

So here is the throne in its better days.

Now it is looking worse for wear. The seat has golden-ish metal buttons with metal loops. They show tarnish. 

The surface of the vinyl also shows black spots that I hope can be cleaned. 

Suggestions please?

The back had lovely plastic buttons from Spotlight. Every single one of them has given up and fallen off.

Now, that is going to take a lot of work, fixing new metal buttons and getting it clean and tidy too.

The cushions on the arms get a lot of use each season and they need to be cleaned up as well.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
PS: No, I don't think it is possible to replace the vinyl unless necessary. That stuff is not cheap and no, it was from a professional automobile upholsterer, not Bunnings or Spotlight or other handyman stores.

[EricL]

Hello @ilox 

I believe the leather surface can be cleaned by using dishwashing liquid in combination with a soft sponge. You don't want to use anything too rough as it will damage the vinyl cover. In regards to the buttons, would it be possible to replace them with Pinnacle Brass Hammer Head Upholstery Nails? Putting them into the original position of the buttons should save you from having to drill into the timber backing. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[ilox]

Thanks, Eric, I think I am going to need something stronger than dishwashing liquid to get the stains off but that would be a good start to get the black stuff off. Maybe some sugar soap would shift it? I will also need a good creme to feed the vinyl and keep it supple. 

As for the pins. Hmm, I already have holes in the back board where I ran the heavy cord to hold the button in, so the space behind the pins is compromised with a 3mm hole. I think I will need metal gold-ish buttons, similar to the ones used for the seat, with a metal loop so they won't snap off and fall out.

[MitchellMc]

Sugar Soap sounds like it would be worth trying, @ilox. Do a test section in an inconspicuous location to ensure it doesn't discolour the material.

You might like to try some Mechanix 1L Auto Protectant, which is suitable for vinyl. Once again, do a test section.

Mitchell

[ilox]

Thanks, Mitchel, will see how I go with getting it cleaned up.

[ilox]

Well I took off the padded section from the frame, only to find an ant problem, little black ones this time.
Back of the back panel

This was the back of the back panel. It was ruined by water incursion. The strings are for the front buttons, the buttons that all gave up because they only had a plastic shank.

Black ants nesting

But further down was an active Black Ant infestation, eggs and all. There were all through the foam padding too. I had to throw everything out, foam padding, plywood panel, the lot. 
Now I have to start from almost fresh, the vinyl will be reusable after a decent clean.
I need to buy some foam padding. Any suggestions please?

[JacobZ]

Hi @ilox,

I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing more issues with your throne.

You could use Bastion 1200 x 600 x 50mm XPS Multi Use Foam Board, but it isn't the softest foam. 

There is also these Eva 50 x 50cm Black Solid Interlock Foam Mats which are softer but quite thin.

Maybe a combination of the two would work?

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[ilox]

Thanks for the ideas. Both of those would be too firm for this. It would need to be one of the more flexible compressible foam sheets. I think I got the originals from Clark Rubber in Modbury. Not sure where else I could get foram for upholstery?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @ilox,

It sounds like you'd be after upholstery foam, and I am unaware of any products that would suit that purpose. We do have expansion foam, which is more compressible than the products above, though it is not designed for this purpose.

Mitchell

[ilox]

I have been working on the back and the vinyl, things are coming along at last.

The arm cushions are off. Unfortunately getting the staples out caused damage to the woof. Sigh.

 

 I am about to sand that down and then fill the holes with Agnews Water Putty.

The location under the arms makes access awkward. Without my Ozito Multi-tool with the sanding head I would be reduced to manual sanding. Something that my chronic injuries would make very difficult for me to do.

While that is drying I will knock the 1st coat back and might get a chance to put on a 2nd coat of undercoat before heading off to get more foam forcthe back panel. I got the wrong size  (50mm thick instead of 25mm) yesterday. ARRGH!

The vinyl cleaner and protector I used is doing a great job, these are the two arm pads.

Before: 

 After treatment and the product used. 

 It has made a big difference and I might be taking it with me or perhaps a pack of Oakwood Leather wipes . Just to keep the vinyl protected and clean. Using the higher quality automotive vinyl has been a wise choice for this chair. 

Enough chatting. I have just 2 days to get this done and dried.