On the other hand, if you’re looking for overall protection, it could prove to be a really solid choice. If there are very stubborn stains or even some molds present, then you’re going to need something much stronger than just your normal solution of dishwashing liquid and water. Also, you’ll probably like the texture it gives. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I put three different paints to the test on three of the exact same chairs and was pretty surprised with the results. I have experienced my clothes sticking to it at times. Before you decide on a product, make sure to read customer reviews. While the first choice is more geared toward outdoor use, this product can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Get it as soon as Wed, Oct 21. Copyright © 2021 - MarineTalk. Just like the previously mentioned product, the Sunbrella also sells fabric in a similar fashion by selling the fabric by the yard. Q: What are marine upholstery fabrics made of? It is used for but not limited to Boat Seats, Pads, and Dashes. If the backing is woven slightly further apart it allows the vinyl to stretch further and be more flexible. Having perused a few automotive forums, I heard SEM products talked well about, so I went online, purchased two cans of white vinyl paint, a can of dark blue vinyl paint, and a can of "plastic adhesion enhancer". There are also some that are made of laminated acrylic and mesh. I use it for my boat’s bedroom area. In order to make this solution, you just have to mix 1 cup bleach, 1/4 cup of dishwashing soap, and a gallon of clean water in a bucket. You may also try other fabric, but I personally suggest marine vinyl upholstery fabric. Overall, it’s beautifully made, easy to clean, and very easy to use. The last type of fabric is mesh which has a great look to it. This ends our little guide in choosing the best marine upholstery fabric. Otterex Canvas Vinyl Upholstery Fabric, 7. Another thing that I like about this product is that it is UV-protected. It is for this reason why all of the products that I have listed are made of vinyl fabric. Of course, there are plenty of them on the market, but the question is: how do you know which one to buy? And what better way to do that than to add some of the best marine upholstery fabric with some great designs? Meanwhile, you can find a few products which use a combination of materials. The original vinyl seats had held up surprisingly well. Read the reviews carefully to see if the product works well for your use. I personally like unique colors on my boat seats, and this brand managed to offer that. It is actually one of the best choices you can make for your boat interior. If the stain doesn’t come off, use a sponge to try to scrape it off. Acrylic is a laminated fabric that is also great for boats. I like the fact that there are so many colors that you can choose from. While glass usually takes a few wipes to clean stains, you just need a few wipes to get rid of grime on vinyl. Vvivid is one of the more popular brands of marine vinyl fabric as it is a heavy-duty brand that sells some of the most durable and long-lasting products. I just use a wet cloth to clean the fabric instead of mixing mild soap or any solution. With that, it is important to know how to choose the right brand of fabric since each brand has its own advantages. The Wyzenbeek test method is used most often to allow for easier comparison between products, but the better test is actually the Martindale test. This will give you an insight into the quality and reliability of the product. This test measures the material burn rate to see how quickly a material will burn. While the guide above can help you narrow your choices for the best marine vinyl fabric, it’s always better to know more about the product so that you can fully tailor the criteria to fit your needs. “You would never use a parachute that wasn’t tested or hop in a car with an air bag that wasn’t tested or jump on a trampoline that wasn’t tested. I myself have saved quite a bundle buying from this seller as compared to many other brands. Why Do You Need a Marine Upholstery Fabric? The problem with Wyzenbeek is the sample is rubbed in the same position throughout the test creating elevated friction, heat and built up of coatings or other finishes on the abradant because the abradant does not change position as does the sample on the Martindale with the Lissajous Pattern.”. You may need a few cans of paint in order to ensure proper paint coverage, as well as a few cans of wax and grease remover and a couple of extra bits and pieces to prepare your seats. It is usually a knitted polyester fabric, but it can also have a fuzzy backing. The backing also impacts the stretch of the vinyl. Additionally, you want to know everything there is to know about marine upholstery fabrics before choosing which brand to purchase. It was lemon yellow and horrid- We loved it. It’s a pretty heavyweight product that weighs around 28 ounces per yard and has a thickness of 0.95mm. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. While using this product, I only noticed that the color didn’t fade unlike a lot of other upholstery fabrics that I’ve bought in the past. I have this installed on my boat’s sofa, and all my guests love it because they feel comfortable on it. It’s extremely durable and flexible, allowing it to have a very long shelf-life. You need to check the “specs” for the Light Fastness Test (AATCC 16 Xenon Arc or CFFA 2). Unfortunately, its color fades rather quickly as compared to other fabric. Crocking is not something you cook in a Crock Pot. You clearly care about your project and want to get the most out of your time and money. Payless Fabric Marine Outdoor Upholstery, 10. You should look on the spec sheet for seam strength or seam slippage test ASTM D4034 or ASTM D434 or CFFA 14 as this measure how much weight can be applied at seams before ripping. We’ll go over them in detail one by one. Vinylkote is a vinyl & leather paint, ideal for refurbishing or changing the colour of vinyl & leather upholstery in vehicles & on furniture. The only disadvantage is that it is not very flexible and may tear if you force it to stretch too much. It’s really versatile, so any extra cloth can be used for other purposes as well. After that, measure the depth of the seat and multiply it by 2. Many people will prefer to use an industrial sewing machine, but some marine vinyl will work with regular sewing machines. Aside from Sunbrella, some other really good brands include Plastex and Vvivid. Other than boat seats and boat upholstery projects, I’ve also used it for other furniture as well such as sofas, chairs, and many more. There are some that are more durable than others. You should look to make sure that the marine vinyl has a minimum dry crocking grade of 4 and a minimum wet crocking grade of 3. This test measures the impact of bleeding fabric and you want to avoid this as much as possible. Although it is not made of real leather (faux leather), it feels completely like natural leather. First we will take a look at the bottom layer. One of its interesting features is the UV protection which will enhance the life of your boat vinyl and prevent any fading or cracking. It’s even really easy to clean due to its texture. If you are going to use them for wall coverings instead, then you can use 54 inches as your basis as to how many rolls you’ll buy. Aerosol Well, what if one day as you sat down you forgot about that pointy car key in your pocket. Formula Boats Grey Part #M25203 16 oz. It’s totally waterproof and also fire-resistant. Aside from that, it is also UV -resistant and doesn’t stretch too much. Take the result and use that as your basis. Buy Flexa Marine Vinyl Fabric upholstery "By The Yard" in one continuous piece starting $6.75 per yard or buy the full "30 Yard Roll" starting at $4.75 per yard (not all colors included). There are various materials that marine upholstery can be made of. You may even check Amazon for some good buys if you don’t really do e-commerce shopping. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. It’s not really a case of whether you actually need marine upholstery or not. It is also resistant to grime and can prevent the growth of mold and mildew. I’ve also thrown in a buying guide to help you further narrow down your choices so you can pick the most suitable one for your boat. A marine upholstery fabric basically works as the entire material that covers the boat furniture or wall covering. Another test that also measures flammability for automotive use is the “MVSS302” test. The material is left in this machine and checked at certain times to better understand how long it takes for the material to fade and break down. Some adhesives work better than others. Everyone’s first question is how will my marine vinyl hold up in the sun? The sample is crushed and rotated at 440º or 180º. Be sure to choose a boat seat that suits your application. 303 (30308) UV Protectant Spray for Vinyl, Plastic, Rubber, Fiberglass, Leather & More – Dust and Dirt Repellant - Non-Toxic, Matte Finish, 16 Fl. Due to this, I recommend following certain criteria while shopping. When you use marine vinyl in a boat you will hopefully be constantly sitting on those beautiful seats. I have found the better marine vinyl’s are softer and more pliable, but are extremely durable. Another similar test measures tear resistance (ASTM D5587). There are two simple ways to identify great marine vinyl! Some vinyl when sewn can rip easily at the seams and others will hold tight. Now what’s the difference between Marine Vinyl brands? Commercial-grade materials are around 1/8 inches thick and feel like foam while marine-grade materials are specially used for boats. Check to make sure the marine vinyl has a cold crack rating. This test is used to determine a materials ability to withstand the heat of the sun before it fades and breaks down. That said, it’s important to consider a fabric with a waterproof feature when shopping. To top it all off, I also included a few FAQs and their answers so that you’ll fully know what you’re getting into when you start buying your boat upholstery material. I would definitely give credit to this product for being one of the easiest to use in this list. The only downside it is that it doesn’t really go well with indoor upholster projects. The first thing you have to do is measure the length and width of the sections of your seat. Many people love marine vinyl for it’s durability, but since it’s not a normal fabric sewing it is sometimes is a concern. This test is designed for the automotive industry. Q: How do I measure upholstery fabric for boat seats? A: Laminated acrylic and quality vinyl marine upholstery fabrics are usually waterproof. Flexa Marine Vinyl is a premium marine vinyl that is mold/mildew resistant, UV treated and is 3rd party tested for quality. However, instead of using direct sunlight, the test makes use of a special UV light which can replicate the sun’s heat impact. This skin can be smooth or textured to allow for different looks. The stain would just stay in one spot ready to be cleaned up. It also has a great texture and can easily block off dirt. Each pass equals one rub. Some brands apply a clear topcoat on the vinyl and trademark them with things like PermaGuard or PermaBlok3. The Wyzenbeek test method is counted as a double rub as one pass back and forth counts as one double rub. However, you want to check a fabric’s specification for the Light Fastness Test. Each one of these brands might offer different colors, patterns and textures. A: One of the best brands of marine upholstery fabric is Sunbrella. Even though it is made of leather-textured vinyl, it also has a backing of 100% polyester material. These test methods are crucial to understanding the durability of the marine vinyl. 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