Marine White Vinyl & Leather Finish
$16.00 – $70.00
Marine White is an off-white and an excellent match to most white vinyl boat upholstery. It’s also great for leather.
How much do I need?
Use our conditioning colors to restore:
- absorbent aniline and semi-aniline leather
- non-absorbent full-grain leather
- and vinyl upholstery.
Our finishes won’t sunfade or backstain like leather dyes. They won’t alter the feel, flake or peel like spray paints. Each bottle comes with gloves and stir stick. Sponge sold separately.
Do not use on fabric, suede, nubuck or faux (bonded) leather.
Do I need Flite cleaner?
Does the material absorb water?
Absorbent leather should only be cleaned with denatured or rubbing alcohol.
Non-absorbent leather and vinyl should be cleaned with:
- our Flite™ cleaner (Formula 409® is okay too),
- followed by denatured or rubbing alcohol.
All surfaces, regardless of absorbency, should be tape tested to ensure adhesion of a new finish.
If painter’s or masking tape strongly adheres to the surface, such that you have to pry it off with a fingernail, you’re ready to proceed with restoration.
If the tape does not stick well or curls up at the corners, continue to clean and re-test until good adhesion is achieved.
Do I need to repair?
If you can feel the damage, such that a gentle sanding won’t correct it, then it would benefit from repair.
Isolated cat scratches, small scrapes or nicks on real leather (like the images below) are best repaired with tiny beads of super glue catalyzed with sanding. Learn how here.
More severe ‘scratching post’ damage, scaliness, cracking, and vinyl should be repaired with a flexible filler. Any holes must first be subpatched, before filler can be applied. This article has more info and a video demonstration. For holes larger than 3" in diameter, consider glueing a top-patch of similar material to the subpatch before applying filler.
We do not recommend repairing peeling faux leather or bonded leather. Learn how and why here.
Faux leathers that wear more naturally down to their fabric backing can be painted using these instructions. No filler is needed.
Filler is available in 1 oz. and 2 oz. tubs either alone or in a kit with application tools and sandpaper.
| Type of Damage | Total Area of Damage | Filler Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Scaly, cracked, worn or thin but no large holes or voids | 4 sq ft (2ft x 2 ft) | 1 oz. |
| Scaly, cracked worn or thin but no large holes or voids | 8 sq ft (2 ft x 4 ft) | 2 oz. |
| Holes or tears (requires a subpatch & more layers of filler) | 12 sq in (1 in x 1 ft) | 1 oz. |
| Holes or tears (requires a subpatch & more layers of filler) | 24 sq in (2 in x 1 ft) | 2 oz. |
Change color or match color?
Changing color is fun but not for everyone!
| Change Color | Match Color |
|---|---|
| More product needed | Less product needed |
| More labor required | Less labor involved |
| Touch-up likely and varies | Little to no touch-up |
| Available now | Wait until sample received; our turnover is swift |
| May be as expensive as matching, depending on scope of project | Matching fee; 8 oz. order minimum for Advanced Custom Color |
| Discouraged for auto, RV, boat interiors | Recommended for auto, RV, boat upholstery, primary or secondary colors |
Absorbent leathers are the best candidates for a color change. The following are not good candidates due to the greater potential for touch-up:
- damaged, scaly, thinning upholstery;
- loosely upholstered furniture with lots of wrinkles and folds (and therefore stress);
- pieces that receive a lot of contact with chemicals / liquids or rough kids and critters (particularly dog claws);
- changing from medium, dark, or bold colors to very pale colors;
- or bonded, faux or polyurethane (PU) ‘leather’ which resist all coatings (including their own).
Here's what wear can look like:
Touch-up is easy and minimized by:
- choosing a color that complements the original or has a similar value (light vs. dark);
- dabbing, stippling, or printing the color to create a marbled or distressed appearance, rather than a solid color, so future wear looks natural and intended.
Whites and off-whites get poorer coverage. If you are changing from dark or red to pale, you may need 2-3 times the quantity of color. Consider a coat of Stone grey as a primer to minimize this.
Do I need a clear finish?
Thanks for a great product that actually worked.
T...More
Thank you for creating such a wonderful product.
That is, don’t think about it. USE IT! USE IT! USE IT!
I did a ton of ...More
That is, don’t think about it. USE IT! USE IT! USE IT!
I did a ton of testing. I tested to spray paint for vinyl. All the players. Some worked well and others not so well.
I tested Rub N Restore and it worked great on my old worn boat seats. The help videos are great and gives you more than enough information to use the product correctly and effectively.
I called Rub N Restore for some advice and the Person on the phone was more than helpful. When I asked for her name she said “I’m Mom” I questioned “Mom?” She said. “I’m the older one in the picture on our website.” To call and speak with one of the owner developers should tell you something.
What a great product. I am so excited about it I couldn’t wait to finish my project and take pictures. When the job is done I will post some pictures.
Lastly. It was going to cost me $7000 to reupholster all my boat seats and panels on my boat. I am doing it for less that $150.
We are very happy with the results. All your help and advice was much appreciated.
Boat seats (12 years old) are now brand new looking. Amazing and easy to apply.way
My email question was answered the same day so I felt supported throughout the process.
Thank you!
It’s definitely scary seeing it go on! It’s like watery paint! But then the water dried and just the color is left. I did two couches and it took a little over an hour for each one. A large bottle (yes it needs lots of layers but not as much when covering lighter colors) it lasted for both couches but not the backside of the one against the wall so I’m getting another small bottle to finish.
Overall it’s amazing!! Texture after feels chalky at first when compared to the greasy old seats but already smoother after a day. Maybe it’s nice with the clear sealer but I way prefer a matte finish so I won’t be using the clear coat.
I’m trying to think of all the other couches I can do this to now!!
My Yacht seats had yellow stains in them and after utilizing your product they came out looking brand new with such little effort. Your service and product was more than I hope for as they look new. The seats are soft and look brand new. I've enclosed a couple of a pictures before and after.
I have sold a couple of my yacht club buddies on your product and have already placed orders.
You have one satisfied customer.
I applied this product myself and was shocked at how easy it was to use. The end result is that all my seats now look BRAND NEW !!!!!
Thank you for a great product !!!!!
Mark Maher
Hinckley Lake
New York
I am amazed. I wish I had taken pictures of the before. The upholstery did not have any rips. It was not flaking, just fading from the sun. So prior to wanting to use the boat for the year I used your Marine White product while the boat was still stored in the garage. It took me about an hour and then I let it sit for several days to cure as you suggest. It looks almost new. It was so easy to use. If I slipped and got the Marine White on the blue or gold accents, I just wiped it off with a wet cloth. Friends and neighbor are also impressed. I could not be happier. Thanks!
It is totally white again, and the feel i...More
It is totally white again, and the feel is not that different from the original surface. We are amazed! I have a before and after photo - totally impressed and very happy!!!!