Clear Prep+Finish™ should not be used as a topcoat on vinyl; it may dry tacky. This is not an issue with real leather.
The solution:
Buff the surface with a rag dampened with water, and let dry. If this doesn’t improve the tackiness, try a quick swipe with alcohol. Let dry.
If necessary, special order Satin Sealer can be applied.
If the material was sticky prior to color or Clear being applied, this indicates oil saturation, conditioner residue or plasticizer migration that needs pre-treating.
I am using storm blue on a vinyl automotive interior. The note above says to not use prep and finish clear on vinyl, but other help articles state that clear prep and finish can be used in place of the satin sealer. Can I seal my blue dye on vinyl with a glaze of prep and finish? Or do I need to use the satin sealer?
Since Covid we noticed that Clear Prep+Finish can dry tacky when used alone as a topcoat on vinyl. We think the producers of our raw materials changed their formula without notifying us. Storm Blue doesn’t crock or color transfer as badly as other blues. You should be fine without it. Buff the color with a dry rag to remove any unstable pigment. If you notice continued color transfer, then use a sealer. You can try a single thin coat of Clear Prep+Finish if you don’t mind the shine. Test it on a small area to ensure it doesn’t dry tacky.