5 Ways to Remove Wrinkles from Marine Vinyl

One problem you may run into when it comes to marine vinyl is that creases can form which creates wrinkles in the vinyl. The good news is that in most cases, the wrinkles in the marine vinyl fabric can be pretty easily removed. This is a common problem that comes up, and there are a few different ways to handle it.

In this post, we’re going to go over some methods you can try to remove the wrinkles from the fabric, things you should avoid to ensure you don’t damage the marine vinyl, what causes wrinkles, and how to prevent them.

Let’s go ahead and dive into the five best ways to remove wrinkles from your marine vinyl.

Methods to Remove Wrinkles from Marine Vinyl

There are five main ways we recommend attempting to remove the wrinkles. These will do the trick in the majority of cases.

1. Sun

The first thing we would recommend is letting the sun do the job. Depending on where your marine vinyl currently is, this can be an effective option.

The easiest scenario is going to be if you haven’t started working with your vinyl yet. If this is the case, simply lay the vinyl flat on the ground and let the sun heat up the vinyl. The heat from the sun alone will help remove the wrinkles in the fabric.

Sometimes you’ll encounter wrinkles in your marine vinyl fabric when it is already being used and upholstered. This can be trickier because you can’t lay it out in the sun as easily. However, if that part of your boat is able to get sun, this can still be effective in removing the wrinkles.

2. Heating pad

If you’ve tried letting the marine vinyl sit in the sun, but still aren’t able to remove the wrinkles, another thing you can try is using a heating pad. Heating pads are helpful because it allows you to put heat directly on the fabric, rather than doing it from a distance.

If you’re using a heating pad, start with the lowest heat setting and go from there. You don’t want to apply too much heat right away and run the risk of damaging the material. Be sure to frequently check on the material to be sure it isn’t getting too hot.

3. Heat gun

Next up is a heat gun or hair dryer. These are extremely effective in removing wrinkles. One additional benefit of using a heat gun is that it allows a little more control since you can apply the heat exactly where you want to.

One of the disadvantages of using a heat gun is that you’ll have to manually hold the heat gun the entire time. Depending on how bad the creases or wrinkles are, this can result in holding a heating gun over the affected area for quite a while.

When using a heat gun, don’t hold it too close to the fabric. Start further away from the fabric and move closer as needed. It’s important to pay close attention to make sure you’re not applying too much heat.

4. Iron

Using an iron is the easiest and most effective method for removing wrinkles from your Marine Vinyl, but it must be handled with caution to avoid damage. 

To start, set the iron to a low heat setting, making sure it does not produce steam. Avoid placing the iron directly on the fabric. Instead, use a  cloth as a protective barrier to prevent direct contact with the fabric. Gently move the iron over the cloth covering the wrinkled area. This process may be time-consuming, so be patient and periodically check the progress. 

5. Steamer

The last method we’re going to go over is using a steamer. Just like the heat gun, you have a lot of control when using a steamer. You can apply the heat to the exact location on the marine fabric that needs the wrinkles removed. You can continue to apply heat to the wrinkles until they’re removed.

Just like each of the other methods, make sure you’re not applying too much heat for too long. Start with the steamer further away from the fabric, and move it closer when needed.

Things to Avoid

Now you know five different methods that can help you remove wrinkles from your marine vinyl fabric.

Here are a few things to avoid to be sure you don’t damage your fabric:

• Don’t use high heat settings when applying heat to your vinyl
• Don’t iron your fabric
• Don’t apply heat in one specific location for too long
• Don’t leave the fabric unattended when heat is being applied

If you avoid the above steps, you’ll significantly reduce the chances of damaging the fabric.

What causes wrinkles?

Avoiding wrinkles completely is even better because you don’t have to worry about removing the wrinkles in the first place.

The two main things that cause wrinkles in vinyl fabric are:

1. Creases
2. The way it is sewn

It’s pretty simple with creases. If the fabric is folded in half for an extended period of time, there’s a good chance it will result in wrinkles.

The fabric can also create wrinkles depending on how it’s sewn together. If it’s not sewn tight enough, this will often result in wrinkles.

How to prevent wrinkles?

The easiest way to prevent wrinkles is by storing it properly. When storing the fabric, you can either roll the marine vinyl fabric or store it flat so that it doesn’t crease. The most important part is making sure that you don’t fold the fabric.

Wrinkle-Free Marine Vinyl Guide in a Glance

In this guide, we've explored five effective methods to remove wrinkles from your marine vinyl fabric, namely using the sun, a heating pad, a heat gun, iron, or a steamer. Just remember to apply heat carefully, and avoid high heat settings, ironing, or prolonged exposure in one spot.

Wrinkles can result from creases or the way the fabric is sewn. By following those steps and tips, you can easily restore your marine vinyl fabric to its pristine condition.

For wrinkle-free marine vinyl fabric projects, explore our range of top-quality products at MarineVinylFabric.com. Whether you have inquiries or need expert advice, our team is just a message away through our Contact Us page or call us at 312-300-6737