PVC liner paneling cleaning

[Carwashlady]

Wondering if anyone has experience with this type of wall covering and how to clean it? Got some grease and paint stains that I’m having trouble getting off, but the paneling is relatively new & I’m trying not to take the finish off or scratch it while cleaning it. I’ve tried the dawn, goo gones, degreasers and the other usual cleaners you’d find at a home improvement place with little to no results. The website for the paneling says use general cleaners with a sponge or non abrasive brush so there’s that.. Guess I’ll just try to have a talk with those stains tomorrow and see if they’ll just go away on their own. “Now looky here, see, I don’t want any problems, see..” Help.

 

[Greg Pack]

If this is PVC paneling I've taken an extra piece and tried several cleaning/solvent products. I use d limonene based cleaners but mineral spirits is ok. I've used the white 3m polish pads for most things and IIRC it's OK to use magic eraser sponges. CRC "Red can" brake cleaner and acetone will dull the finish on extrutech. regardless, just test on an extra piece before diving in.

 

[Carwashlady]

If this is PVC paneling I've taken an extra piece and tried several cleaning/solvent products. I use d limonene based cleaners but mineral spirits is ok. I've used the white 3m polish pads for most things and IIRC it's OK to use magic eraser sponges. CRC "Red can" brake cleaner and acetone will dull the finish on extrutech. regardless, just test on an extra piece before diving in.

Wondered about the magic eraser pads.. I will take all this info and get to it. Hopefully we have some leftover pieces somewhere I can do some test runs on. Thanks so much!

 

[dbcknghm]

saw your ask above and want to chip in here..... in Central Canada and had similar issues in our self serve but the issues included our tarps as well..... the best have found is in the Alumabright line....can get from a lot of commercial truck shops or places like Napa n Auto parts places..... they have a whole line of spray on products ( I use the one for bright metals but NOT chrome - works on stainless, aluminum etc unless it is coated... ). It is a simple spray - wait 5 - 10 minutes, rinse off.... polished clean on both our tarps and walls. Check it on u tube to see if it may work for u.... concentrate and not cheap but well worth it in our case as we scour our wash 1 x yr with it..... looks new inside when we are done.... a much more expensive option is to hire a commercial steam cleaning truck.... they do a great job more often than not but $$$. Either way would test...check it out on your panel.

 

[Eric H]

Magic Eraser works great for the tough spots. My customers like to bang their floor mats on my walls leaving black rubber marks everywhere. I use the magic eraser and some wall cleaner and the marks come off quickly.
I use Stone Soaps Restore as my wall cleaner. It does have ABF in it but it seems to be a low enough concentration that it doesn't burn the glossy finish off the panel. It does eat the antiglare coating off of my glasses so be careful. I spray on with a pump sprayer and give it a quick scrub with a long handle brush with a nylon bristle and they look brand new again. I might have this brush, I've been using it for well over 10 years https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-62543-10-in-blue-dual-surface-foam-brush.aspx

 

[Greg Pack]

For general soap scum removal I too use an HF based product. I use Quest Aluminate, but most any HF based product works the same. I've heard some people talking about "burning" a panel but I don't think I've done it before. I'm going to get a scrap piece and pour it on there straight, let it dry and rinse off to see if that is possible

My extrutech PVC in the SS is fifteen years old and is still in pretty decent shape. However, the place is in dire need of a refresh and I intend to replace it to give it that nice shiny brand new look in the next year or so.

 

[Eric H]

I've heard some people talking about "burning" a panel but I don't think I've done it before. I'm going to get a scrap piece and pour it on there straight, let it dry and rinse off to see if that is possible

I guess I base my "burning the gloss off" based on the condition of my panels vs my competition. I used to have a power washing company clean my FRP and I know he burned the gloss off of that material using Granite stone cleaner. I know the competition also hires a power wash co that uses HF and their panels are dull and get dirty very quickly after cleaning.
Looking forward to the results of your HF experiment.

 

[OurTown]

Has anyone had to clean off water based seal coat from PVC panels? We had some signs and decals ruined from it because it turned them yellow and we could not restore to the original color. Also has anyone tried to polish/buff a dull area?

 

[Jim64]

Had the same sealcoat problem, I tried several cleaners then tapped out.

 

[MEP001]

My customers like to bang their floor mats on my walls leaving black rubber marks everywhere. I use the magic eraser and some wall cleaner and the marks come off quickly.

This should be done on new paneling as a test before buying it. Good paneling won't pick up those black marks. I've seen paneling that won't even let spray paint or permanent marker stick.