How to Polish Vinyl

Raymond said, “I washed my white vinyl fence with dish soap and a sponge. I used a scrub pad, which I thought was non-abrasive, in areas where there were bird dripping stains. I noticed there were tiny scratches and the shine was dulled. Is there anything I could do to bring the shine back?”

You Will Need:

• White vinegar
• Water
• Baby oil
• A soft cloth
• Vinyl conditioner

Steps to Polish the Vinyl:

1. Add one cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water. Stir in five drops of baby oil.¹
2. Wet a soft cloth or soft sponge with the solution, then wring the cloth out well. Gently clean the area with the damp cloth.¹
3. Rinse the area with plain water.¹
4. Apply a hard vinyl conditioner, such as McGuire’s M40 Mirror Glaze. Follow the instructions on the label of your selected conditioner.²

• Do not use plain oil directly on the vinyl. Some oils can cause the vinyl to stiffen.²
• Never use an abrasive sponge or an abrasive cleaner, such as a scouring powder, on vinyl as it can dull the surface. Only use a soft cloth or soft sponge.²
• Armor All makes a variety of vinyl restoration products, such as Outlast Trim & Plastic Restorer, which can be very effective for restoring dull vinyl surfaces.²

1. DIY Natural Household Cleaners by Matt & Betsy Jabs
2. The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett