ATF - bringing dry, faded vinyl back to life

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • AJ
    • Mar 2026
    #1

    ATF - bringing dry, faded vinyl back to life

    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.
    Tags: None
    • GS ace
      #2
      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.

        Comment

        • Vmass
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Apr 2011
          • 6102
          • Massachusetts
          #3
          If this isn't an April Fools Joke, it sure could be a good start of one!!

            Comment

            • chuck hahn
              Forum LongTimer
              Past Site Supporter
              • May 2009
              • 25951
              • Norman, Oklahoma
              #4
              Mother Back To Black. Scrub rubber and seats with a scrubby and some good cleaner then apply.
              MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
              1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

              NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


              I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                Comment

                • AJ
                  #5
                  Originally posted by Vmass
                  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.
                  Originally posted by chuck hahn
                  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.

                    Comment

                    • JEEPRUSTY
                      #6
                      Lemon pledge is also good.

                      If you can liguify paraffin it is also good.

                        Comment

                        • Griffin
                          Forum LongTimer
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Sep 2003
                          • 14205
                          • Danville, IN
                          #7
                          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.
                          GS450E GS650E GS700ES GS1000E GS1000G GS1100G GS1100E
                          KZ550A KZ700A GPZ750
                          CB400T CB900F
                          XJ750R

                            Comment

                            • Flyboy
                              #8
                              Good old fashioned Dubbin for leather, works bloody well on vinyl seats too, keeps them soft and supple for years.

                                Comment

                                Previous template Next
                                Working...