Cleaning red pillion seat?

Post by **benny** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:32 pm

I've got a grotty looking red pillion seat on my bike that I would like to clean up, is it real leather or vinyl?
Anyone got any products to recommend?

alexwitham · Post by **alexwitham** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:54 pm

They're Vinyl.
WD40 and elbow grease? Or a leather upholstery cleaner may do the trick (despite it being Vinyl)

Post by **benny** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:18 pm

WD40 it is then, maybe ethanol? Do you know what the black marks are? My best guess is boots marks from swinging leg over

Ben_OB1 · Post by **Ben_OB1** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:02 am

benny wrote:I've got a grotty looking red pillion seat on my bike that I would like to clean up, is it real leather or vinyl?
Anyone got any products to recommend?

Hi Benny,

I have red/white/black 2-piece Dainese leathers. The local leathers manufacturer here in Adelaide (Walden Miller) suggested that I use turps (turpentine mineral oil) to remove the black staining on the red and white areas of my leathers, that is caused by rubber from boots, tyres, oily road grime residues. It worked for me!

I'd reckon you'll have more luck with turps over metho (methylated spirit) as it is a mineral oil solvent, whereas metho is an alcohol solvent.

Good luck, and please report back how it went!

Ben.

Post by **jim157** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:42 am

Magic eraser with a bit of water is normally pretty good for removing scuff marks. The unbranded stuff is pretty cheap on ebay too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-Magic-Er ... 1c0d6ec34a

Post by **bikemonkey** » Mon May 13, 2013 1:43 pm

jim157 wrote:Magic eraser with a bit of water is normally pretty good for removing scuff marks. The unbranded stuff is pretty cheap on ebay too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-Magic-Er ... 1c0d6ec34a

I used to use those when I worked at starbucks, amazing little things.

Post by **benny** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:56 pm

So after a bit of WD40 soaking and scrubbing with an old towel I managed to get the worst of the marks off, it's still look eat a bit dark and some marks didn't come off, but it's much better. Photos soon.
Anyone think paraffin will be more effective?

weirdomagnet · Post by **weirdomagnet** » Mon May 13, 2013 7:20 pm

I read some where that swarfega is good but haven't tried it myself.

Post by **bikemonkey** » Mon May 13, 2013 8:30 pm

Read that in practical sports bikes I think

Post by **benny** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:11 pm

Before

After

Doesn't really show up well but all the marks off the strap came off (I think the stitching is also missing that is supposed to be there?) and the seat generally lightened up but is still not a good of a colour as the bit that has been covered and protected by the strap.
There's still some marks near the rear of the seat but the amount of scrubbing I have it started to damage the vinyl so I left it as is

Cleaning red pillion seat?

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