Cockpit Upholstery - Clean it or replace it?

dtfeld

Water Contrails
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Jun 5, 2016
5,518
Milton, GA
Boat Info
410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
Engines
Cat 3126 V-Drives
Looking at a 2003 380 Sundancer. Has a lot of pros, and a few cons. The biggest is the cockpit seating is severely worn in a couple areas and definitely needs to be replaced. The rest of it the vinyl seating has a good amount of mildew/spider poop stains. I kept my previous boats vinyl looking pretty good using Softscrub w/bleach. However, I'm afraid this may beyond restoration and may require a complete replacement, especially once I start mixing in new vinyl. The remaining will look even worse by comparison.

Anybody redo the cockpit seating on a 380/410 recently? Have any estimates. Before and after pics would be nice.

I'm thinking its a $5-$10k project.
 
I changed it on my 330 it cost $3600 they did a nice job had it done over the winter. I would think $5000 would cover your boat.

I am faced with the same issue. The mildew is coming through the vinyl and this for sure is in my future.
 
I think you're looking at about 5k, but you may want to stop in a local upholstery shop with pictures to get a better idea.
 
Had mine done last year, including the side panels. $5,000.
 

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One of our members, Quint4, that is now doing upholstery turned me on to a product that is a vinyl paint. It is specifically made for refinishing vinyl upholstery. At this point in my Cobalt project I just don't have the money to completely re-do all of it. After watching a video and investigating their website I purchased 9 spray cans, the vinyl cleaner and 2 cans of prep. It was about $100. The seats and panels do not have a lot of tears or worn spots, its mostly mildew and sunburn. I've only done one piece to date but I am very happy with the results. I was planning to do a post on the product and the process with before and after pictures in a week or two when I get to that part of my restoration/refurbishment but for now, here is a link to the product and video. https://www.semproducts.com/marine-refinish/vinyl-coattm

My boat has been upholstered a couple of times in the last 30 years and the foundation is mostly sound. However, the past owner left the boat uncovered too often while it sat in the California sun in Long Beach. To the OP, I don't know if this is an option for you but maybe its worth a look.

Shawn
 
... using Softscrub w/bleach...

Just a quick note: Softscrub and Bleach cleaners (or combined) should never be used on vinyl. The bleach will dry out the plasticizers in the vinyl coating which will eventually cause cracking and the softscrub will continually remove layers of the vinyl coating - it's like wet sanding.

-Kevin
 
I think the cost really depends on what area of the Country. I have a 460 and for 3K did all of the upholstery in the cockpit and swim pads.
 
Had mine done last year, including the side panels. $5,000.
Larry, that's the nicest cockpit upholstery I have ever seen on a boat. It took a nice boat and made it a very classy boat. While Sea Ray's cockpits look OK, I've always felt they were kind of vanilla....appealing to the masses.

I'm getting ready to re-upholster my 1985 Cobalt project boat and this has given me all sorts of different ideas. I don't know if the color and design ideas were yours or the guy that did the work but hats off on a job really well done.

Shawn
 
Larry, that's the nicest cockpit upholstery I have ever seen on a boat. It took a nice boat and made it a very classy boat. While Sea Ray's cockpits look OK, I've always felt they were kind of vanilla....appealing to the masses.

I'm getting ready to re-upholster my 1985 Cobalt project boat and this has given me all sorts of different ideas. I don't know if the color and design ideas were yours or the guy that did the work but hats off on a job really well done.

Shawn
Thanks. I let the folks that did the work come up with something they thought would look good.. they are the experts.
 
Looking at a 2003 380 Sundancer. Has a lot of pros, and a few cons. The biggest is the cockpit seating is severely worn in a couple areas and definitely needs to be replaced. The rest of it the vinyl seating has a good amount of mildew/spider poop stains. I kept my previous boats vinyl looking pretty good using Softscrub w/bleach. However, I'm afraid this may beyond restoration and may require a complete replacement, especially once I start mixing in new vinyl. The remaining will look even worse by comparison.

Anybody redo the cockpit seating on a 380/410 recently? Have any estimates. Before and after pics would be nice.

I'm thinking its a $5-$10k project.

My 370 Sundancer cockpit seating is getting done as we type, only the four cushions are getting done in the aft of the cockpit...the three U shape bench seats and the one on the port aft! $2100.00
 
Looking at a 2003 380 Sundancer. Has a lot of pros, and a few cons. The biggest is the cockpit seating is severely worn in a couple areas and definitely needs to be replaced. The rest of it the vinyl seating has a good amount of mildew/spider poop stains. I kept my previous boats vinyl looking pretty good using Softscrub w/bleach. However, I'm afraid this may beyond restoration and may require a complete replacement, especially once I start mixing in new vinyl. The remaining will look even worse by comparison.

Anybody redo the cockpit seating on a 380/410 recently? Have any estimates. Before and after pics would be nice.

I'm thinking its a $5-$10k project.
Mt guess is the cost will be less of an issue than finding someone to do it these days. Shops are booked out 6 months and longer in some cases.
Carpe Diem
 
Mt guess is the cost will be less of an issue than finding someone to do it these days. Shops are booked out 6 months and longer in some cases.
Carpe Diem

Tell me about it! I got my boat here on 10/28/2020. Cockpit upholstery done by Christmas. Camper top completed in late February. Cockpit cover completed in May....still waiting on sunpads to get started....

The excuse is always the help...

Bennett
 
Give Marine 31 mildew remover a shot as well. Especially for the leaching mildew from inside the vinyl. Rinse down the cushion, wipe off the excess water, spray this on (WELL VENTILATED AREA), and run. Come back 5 minutes later, rinse it down, and maybe you have to do a second application. We have debated this product elsewhere on the forum, but I can say from personal experience over 7 boats and 2+ years, that there is some pixie dust in this besides bleach. I think the key to satisfaction is to not just spray and walk away forever. That's when some of my really old vinyl starts to dry out and crack (22 years old). Maybe it was going to anyways. I keep a gallon around all the time.
Here's pics of my Explorer that sat outside in Huntsville for 2 years (thank you COVID). Treated the vinyl and sold the same day.
 

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