Hi everyone!

New member here. Just hauled home a '64 Dynamic 88 that was my grandfather's car. Been in the family since '66.

Unfortunately or fortunately - however you want to look at it - the car lived it's live in the inland empire in SoCal. The bummer is my uncle left the car outside for many years.

As a result, the original upholstery is intact, but hardened. I am afraid the original fabric/vinyl will crack once I get the car running and start to use it a bit. There are no tears or rips in the seats, and I'd like to keep it that way if possible.

Any suggestions on products I can use on the seats to re-soften then upholstery so it doesn't crack or break during use?

Thanks,
Michael

 

A rental steam cleaner might liven up the cloth, but I don't think you'll find anything that will adequately restore or soften vinyl. That's the harsh reality.

 

Bummer.. I have read about some Meguiar's products that might help, but maybe not? I know that Armor-All is a complete waste of time.

There's gotta be *something* out there that can soften up the vinyl.

 

My car had an almost perfect interior but was hard a rock. I drowned it in vinyl dressing and let it sit in the sun to get good and hot and when it had socked it up I drowned it again. I have done this several times over the last 2 years and it has made the interior much softer and more pliable.

 

Sounds good. What vinyl dressing product did you use?

 

There is a product made by SEM, called Vinyl Prep (38343) that you apply to vinyl before dyeing. I used it on some old vinyl and it not only cleaned it but softened it up quite well. You might give it a try. You can get it at the auto paint store.

 

The stuff I used was called Black Magic. I don't think the brand matters much as long as it's not water base like Armour All.