Removing Overspray from Seats?

COLDBASS · 10-09-2004, 06:27 PM

Decided to try to clean up the seats in the '70. The vehicle was parked in a body shop for some time. There is a fine layer of
gray primer over the vinyl. I have had some success with WD40 and a rag. I am thinkin about trying some 0000 (Ultra-fine) steel wool and WD40...

Anyone have any alternate suggestions?

TIA
Bob

Paulporsche · 10-09-2004, 06:52 PM

Have you tried any of the commercially available vinyl or leather cleaners? Or maybe saddle soap? The oooo steel wool will probably be OK if you have a light touch.

When you finish w/ the WD40 you might want to use one of those anyway to get rid of that smell. Then treat it w/ a vinyl dressing.

COLDBASS · 10-09-2004, 07:27 PM

Havent tried saddle soap, I did try Simple Green, and VinylX, they both cleaned the primer very well but did not remove it.

Actually, the WD40 that I am using is a can that had been outside for about a year and a half, interestingly, the residual smell is not there. The WD40 must have lost some of its strength and all of its odor.

Thanks for the heads up, once clean, I shall try some mild SG and then treat the seats...

jlandreth · 10-10-2004, 03:43 AM

This may be a long shot but have you tried detailing clay?It's not made for leather but it did a great job removing overspray from the hood of my 70 BMW 2002

chuckr · 10-10-2004, 05:30 AM

I'd suggest a high quality brake cleaner on a wet rag.
be careful and test on an out of sight spot first. I have used this
on leather many times... it should work on vinyl.

COLDBASS · 10-10-2004, 05:38 AM

Great, thanks for all the suggestions...its going to be a long day...

scottb · 10-10-2004, 07:20 AM

When I purchased some door pockets from Original Fit Interiors (never again, by the way), they had glue on the carpet. When I called to complain, I was told to use lacquer thinner to remove the glue. I was skeptical, but I tried it and, lo and behold, it worked, and didn't take off the color. YMMV.

Whatever you try, do it in an inconspicuous place first to determine colorfastness of the material.

Good luck.

Zeke · 10-10-2004, 07:37 AM

I would think lacquer thinner would take off the dye. I know alcohol removes water based paints from many surfaces including furnature w/o harm. Sometimes I dilute it with a bit of water. Just something else to try. (I know primer is NOT water based, but what the hey?)

scottb · 10-10-2004, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke
I would think lacquer thinner would take off the dye.

That's what I thought, but it didn't harm the carpet. Whatever he tries, it should be in an inconspicuous spot to be sure the color isn't harmed.

jabb · 10-11-2004, 06:26 AM

How about Nail Polish remover... try on a small spot first...

RickM · RickM's Garage

I've taken garaffiti off of a car with enamel reducer...no harm to the finish. Just apply only enough pressure to remove the paint and then flush with Prepsol. You may be able to tgo to a body shop to see if they'll help out or buy the stuff by the quart.

Laquer thinner is used to clean remove the dye before a re dye job. But if you use light pressure just to get the overspray off you may get lucky. I'd try the enamel reducer first.

COLDBASS · 10-11-2004, 12:28 PM

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

I am a bit in shock as to how well the vinyl has held up.

hkspwrsche · 10-11-2004, 02:28 PM

Dupont 210s primer is water based primer for automotive use (gaining popularity from EPA requierments) and laquer thinner has been used before in many shops that do collision repair to remove accidental overspray. It's worked before. The good thing is the overspray is not on a prepped surface that is was designed to stick to. Just make sure to recondition with leather treatment once the thinner is wiped on-off. Careful and light pressure should help. No gaurantee on this stuff though!

Randy Webb · 10-11-2004, 02:43 PM

How about getting them recovered in leather?

Or try a mild abrasive cleaner -- even a metal polish.

Or call the Meguiar's hotline and ask if they have something to do the job. Some of the suggestions others have posted might dissolve the vinyl. Start mild and get aggressive slowly.

Scuba · 10-11-2004, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
I've taken garaffiti off of a car with enamel reducer...

Ex-girlfriend?

COLDBASS · 10-11-2004, 03:16 PM

All thanks again for all the input.

So far I am very please with the condition of the seats. Another option I have is to use the new Recaro SRDs (only a few hours of wear) that are in the "E" and reinstall its original seats.
I do like these early seats though.

The leather will have to wait as currently, my budget dollars are going to the mechanicals on these 911s. I am still unsure what to do with that 2.4 motor (see my sig/engine rebuild forum).

Bob