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?”
Table of Contents:
Whenever an abrasive material is used to clean vinyl, it will likely leave a dull mark. Polish the area to restore the shine using the information in the steps below.
Polishing the Vinyl
You Will Need:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Baby oil
- A soft cloth
- Vinyl conditioner
Steps to Polish the Vinyl:
- Add one cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water. Stir in five drops of baby oil.¹
- 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
- Rinse the area with plain water.¹
- Apply a hard vinyl conditioner, such as McGuire’s M40 Mirror Glaze. Follow the instructions on the label of your selected conditioner.²
Additional Tips and Advice
- 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
Sources
- DIY Natural Household Cleaners by Matt & Betsy Jabs
- The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
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