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How to clean and refresh a vinyl chair?

ilox

So here is the throne in its better days.

2023 Throne for Santa Ian.jpg

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.

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Comments

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/44921#Comment_44921

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/84594#Comment_84594

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/107335#Comment_107335

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

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120916#Comment_120916

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129344#Comment_129344

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134678#Comment_134678

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138126#Comment_138126

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

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140457#Comment_140457

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.

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142172#Comment_142172

Running late but have the foam from Clark Rubber Modbury. Friendly helpful staff. Got the paint from Bunnings Modbury, such a helpful, knowledgeable, young woman.

Sanded down the underside of the second arm and applied the Agnews putty. And back to sanding before the next undercoat goes on.

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143374#Comment_143374

Over in the other thread, you can see the paintwork, let's talk about the nightmare of the upholstery.

The backboard is out of 12mm Oriented Strand Board (OSB) as the Tradie Team member suggested it would be better to take the Brass pins for the upholstery. The Team Member cut it to size at the Parafield Store.

I had first bought the backing foam 50mm thick. Too thick. Back to Clark Rubber and some 25mm and 10mm foam.

Cut it to fit on the board. Fixed the bigger piece with some staples, and then joined the thinner piece with Rapid glue.

Here is where I ran a line of the Rapid Glue to join the thinner foam over the top.

and flattened it under some pressure and let it set for some time.

So using diamond tipped hole saws (from online suppliers in China) I cut back holes to allow the vinyl to reach direct to the base board. First the smaller holes direct to the baseboard...

Then a much larger hole, the intention was to make an easier transition for the vinyl that was being pulled down into the hole.

Hmm, and it didn't work.

I did a couple of the 'puckers' and could see that it was just using up too much of the vinyl. So I tore off all the top 10mm sheet and went with just the 25mm on its own. That task was nowhere near as easy as it sounds. It was a nightmare to get under the vinyl and tear off piece by piece, then remove the glue trails as they could be seen through the vinyl. ARRGGHH!!!.
I had trouble getting the brass pins to work properly. The pin kept shifting and folding under the cap instead of going through the wood. So I drilled a 1.5mm pilot hole, nope, didn't help. Eventually, I worked out that most of the problem was my "cacky" hands (I have poor-strength injuries) were not holding the pins firmly enough to get the tack hammer to bang the pin into the wood. I worked out a system and got them all locked into place. Sigh.
It was so hot working outside that my patience and energy was fast disappearing.

and look at it all done - OK, some of the holes didn't line up, mostly because I was reusing the original vinyl so I took the holes as they were.
I still had to wrap the edges around the board and staple them at the back. Progress was slow but surely getting closer to the goal.

Then it was time to clean off the mold spots from the seat cushion.

Thanks to advice from here I used a solution of Sugar Soap and the vinyl cleaned up nicely.

I then applied the Vinyl restorer fluid and look at the lovely surface I now have!
Then I had to fit the back panel into the back piece and Voila!

The chair is substantially completed. Just the arm pads to go on and perhaps if there is time, some decorations.

TA-DA!

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144281#Comment_144281

Hi @ilox,

The new coat of paint, new foam and refreshed vinyl have come together to make Santa's throne look shiny and new.

Sounds like replacing the foam has been the toughest bit so far. I spent some time working for an upholsterer when I was fresh out of high school and know from experience how painful removing foam that has been glued by mistake is. I'm sure you're glad that bit is over.

It's been wonderful watching Santa's throne return to its former glory. I'm sure it will play its part in bringing great joy to many kids.

Thank you for the update.

Jacob

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144937#Comment_144937

Afternoon @ilox

I have reupholsted some dining room chairs before and thankfully I didnt have to use glue 😲 Tho the material I used was extremely slippery to stapple down.

Love your explaination about the vinyl and how to do the pins, I will be filing it away for future as I love that chesterfield style.

You definently have brought that chair back to a NEW state!

Dave

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144281#Comment_144281

And to finish the thread off, here is the chair in its native state, the place it was designed for, bringing smiles to other people.

PS: and in the spirit of DIY, I sewed this suit as well as 3 others. Back in 2003 (when I started my Santa journey) my wife got annoyed with the first suit she made for me, and swore off them (in terms that left no doubt), so she taught me how to cut and sew. I now own and can handle a sewing machine just as well as my Ozito gear, LOL.

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145460#Comment_145460

So glad you found the process helpful. I am certainly far from an expert at anything but I've watched a lot of DIY videos, and talked to upholstery people, and the best bits are the times that it has gone wrong and I have learned from them.

That is the nature of DIY, wanting to give it a go.

Steve Jobs didn't coin this phrase but he used it as the theme of a book, "The Journey is the Reward."
I so live up to that phrase.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145866#Comment_145866

Evening @ilox

I just love the way the "Story" unfolds. 🙂 Brilliant way to finish of the post! 🙂

Well done on the Santa suits, I do know how much of a pain they can be 🙂

Dave

ilox

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146182#Comment_146182

PS: There is more to this story as there are repairs needed to the back of the chair as well as refit the screw attachments for the bolts that hold the back onto the bottom frame. Somehow they have been pushed out so the 2 bottom bolts have no nut to screw into. Sigh.
Always more work on these things.

A good place to share a reminder about some public Santa visits coming up. I hope I can catch up with you and your family, too. 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd, I will be at the District, Parafield, from 10 to 1.

A special treat will be Friday afternoon and evening when I will be part of a big undertaking to provide entertainment for the Big Bash League Cricket match at Adelaide Oval. There will be a crew of 16 broken into 2 groups, each group of 8 will include a Santa and Mrs. Claus, and 6 Elves. My group will be doing some special stuff that might well get me onto the TV broadcast. Please watch out for me on 7 and 7 mate on Friday evening. If I don't catch up with you, I wish you all the very best Christmas that you can have, and the hope that the New Year brings us all joy and happiness.

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