ATF - bringing dry, faded vinyl back to life

[Guest]

Sorry, no pics.

The seat on my 1100 is mostly intact (only one tear at a sewn seam at the front - very common), but the vinyl on the seating area is very dried out and gray, compared to the sides which are pretty nice.

I tried a product from Turtle Wax (like Armor All) and it helped a little, but also made the seat slippery as h@ll.

Some web research indicated that automatic transmission fluid (ATF) might help to replace the plasticizers in the old vinyl. ATF is just a mineral oil with special additives as "seal conditioners" because it's never really expected to come out of transmission.

My seat just drank this stuff up. I put it on thick and let it sit overnight. After wiping down well, the seat is blacker and the vinyl is a little softer, but still not like the sides. I used leather care wipes to clean it off and it doesn't seem to be coming out and staining my pants. Best of all, it's not the least bit slippery, maybe it's even a little grippy.

I'm calling this experiment a success. ATF is also very good for wiping down brake hoses and any other exposed rubber (except tires!). YMMV.

[GS ace]

Something that has worked pretty well is a product called Tonneau Tonic. I bought for use on my truck's cover, then tried it on an old seat. I let it sit all day long then wiped it off.

[Vmass]

If this isn't an April Fools Joke, it sure could be a good start of one!!

[chuck hahn]

Mother Back To Black. Scrub rubber and seats with a scrubby and some good cleaner then apply.

[AJ]

If this isn't an April Fools Joke, it sure could be a good start of one!!

LOL! Nope, I'm completely serious. I only tried it because I was on the verge of buying a new seat cover, but I'm sticking with the old one for now.

Mother Back To Black. Scrub rubber and seats with a scrubby and some good cleaner then apply.

Not familiar, but will look for it. The ATF really did not turn the seat top as black as the sides, but it is *much* darker than before. I am thinking of another coat with mink oil like you use on leather.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Lemon pledge is also good.

If you can liguify paraffin it is also good.

[Griffin]

Petroleum jelly is an excellent vinyl preservative/restorer. Rub it in well, let it sit overnight, then buff out with clean shop rages until dry.

The really nice part is it doesn't make your seat slick once it's all wipped off.

[Flyboy]

Good old fashioned Dubbin for leather, works bloody well on vinyl seats too, keeps them soft and supple for years.