What's the Best Way to Restore Vintage Vinyl Upholstery?

speedstersky · May 16, 2025, 10:57am

Hey everyone,

I recently took on restoring my '68 Mustang and one of the biggest projects is the interior, specifically the vintage vinyl upholstery. The seats have some cracking, fading, and a few stubborn stains that I’m struggling to get rid of. I want to restore them to their original look without compromising the integrity of the material.

Has anyone tackled a vinyl restoration before? I’m curious about the best products to use for cleaning and conditioning without causing further damage. Also, any tips on dealing with cracks or discoloration would be awesome. Would you recommend any particular techniques or tools that have worked well for you?

Looking forward to hearing your experiences and suggestions!

Thanks!

vintagevinyl_vroom · May 18, 2025, 4:51am

a vinyl sealer can help prevent them from worsening

wheelwhirl · May 18, 2025, 4:53am

and I found that using Meguiar’s Vinyl Cleaner worked wonders for cleaning stubborn stains. For conditioning

vintagewheelster · May 18, 2025, 4:56am

"I’ve been through a similar restoration on my '72 Datsun. For cleaning

timelesstorque · May 18, 2025, 4:59am

but sparingly to avoid making the vinyl too soft. To address cracks

wheel_wizard · May 18, 2025, 5:06am

use a quality vinyl protectant like 303 Aerospace Protectant to restore color and prevent future fading. For cracks

retro_rumble · May 18, 2025, 5:08am

using a heat gun gently can help the vinyl relax and reduce the appearance of small cracks.