What Is Marine Vinyl & How Is It Different?

Marine Vinyl has been manufactured to withstand the harsh environments of the sea and fresh water along with the long exposure to the sun.

Marine vinyl has been tested to regulatory standards that assure that the fabric will perform as promised.

Marine Vinyl will last longer and retain it’s original quality far longer than other faux leathers or vinyls.

A Complete Guide to the Purchase and Usage of Marine Vinyl

When looking at Marine Vinyl fabric you are probably trying to find a solution for your boating upholstery. However, many of the features of what makes marine vinyl great for boats makes it a great upholstery fabric for outdoor uses as well, including near the ocean or fresh water bodies.

While you might be looking for a design that appeals visual to you, it’s important to consider the technical specifications of a marine vinyl. The testing done on the fabric and the scores it achieves is what is going to protect your investment and ensure you do not need to redo the project again too soon.

What are some of the common specifications of marine vinyl and why are they important?

Waterproofing – this is a basic expectation of marine vinyl and simply means that water will not soak through the face of the fabric and wet the backing (or worse, the padding/stuffing).
Anti-mildew or fungal – Largely due to the same processes during manufacturing that ensure waterproofing, the face is also treated to resist mildewing. This is a chemical process and future cleaning solutions and wear & tear will reduce this performance.
Double-Rub count – This is the standard abrasion testing that is done on upholstery fabric that tests the fabric’s durability before there is noticeable wear on the fabric.
UV Resistance – this test measures the amount of time a fabric retains it’s overall coloring, strength, and integrity when exposed to UV light. The results give you an idea of the amount of direct, intense sunlight the fabric can last before it loses it’s original characteristics.
Cold Crack – This test measures how cold the fabric can get before it will show damage or cracks when subjected to stress. This will give you an indication of what environments your fabric will do well in.
Flammability – there are a number of flammability tests that a marine vinyl will go through. Each one will give you an idea of how safe the fabric is when exposed to different levels of fire/heat vectors which are analogs to things like cigarette ashes, lighters, open flames, etc. This is an important safety consideration especially when you’re trying to stay safe out on the water.

So, what is it that makes marine vinyl so resilient? What is it made of?

What is Marine Vinyl Made of?

Marine vinyl fabric is made of polyester and PVC. The face of the material is made of PVC, while the backing is made of polyester.
But we don’t just leave it at that; we use SEM Marine Vinyl Coat, a special marine vinyl protectant, on the fabric’s surface for an extra coat of protection so it can withstand harsh elements found near fresh or salt water.

What is Marine Vinyl Used for?

With such built-to-last features, the vinyl marine fabric is an ideal material for use in a marine environment, like upholstery for boats, awnings, cars, and backyard furniture.

Marine Vinyl for Boat Seats/Car Seats is exposed to harsh weathering like sun, wind, water, and salt, which can cause its color to fade and the fabric to tear. But high-quality and durable marine vinyl can withstand all these factors with ease.
Commercial/In-House Use: This fabric is not only specific to outdoor use but also suitable for personal and commercial use, like in hospitals and houses. It makes for a sturdy upholstery option for armchairs, sofas, and headboards.
Clothing and Accessories: Due to the versatile nature of the marine vinyl fabric, you can also use it to make clothing accessories, bags, purses, and shoes.

Now that you know all about marine vinyl, let us tell you about premium, high-quality marine vinyl fabric, available only at Big Z Fabric.

TOP MARINE VINYLS

Big Z Fabric’s Marine Vinyl

Big Z Fabric offers a wide range of marine vinyl fabrics in various colors and textures to fit your every need.

The marine vinyl fabric available at our online store is not your regular marine vinyl fabric; it’s a special marine grade vinyl upholstery fabric that is:

Waterproof
Anti-fungal
Anti-UV
Fire-resistant
Prop65 compliant

We use special PVC material to make our marine vinyl upholstery with a polyester backing to make it sturdy enough to withstand more than 100,000 double rubs. If you ask us, that’s quite an impressive number!

But what makes our marine vinyl unique is its 0.95mm thickness, 54” width, and intricately woven spider weave backing to minimize cracking from wear and tear, sun exposure, and other external elements.

Big Z offers 2 varieties of marine vinyl fabric in different textures and colors:

1. AquaGuard ® Marine Vinyl

The AquaGuard Marine Vinyl fabric is specifically for boat seat covers, car seat covers, and outdoor furniture upholstery. However, you can also use it for commercial upholstery projects and in-house furniture. It is available in more than 30 colors and is slightly textured to give it that rugged vinyl look.

It is waterproof, fireproof, and anti-UV. Plus, the PVC and polyester fabric keeps mold and mildew growth at bay.

2. Aquaguard® Crocodile Marine Vinyl Fabric

Big Z Fabric’s Aquaguard Crocodile Marine Vinyl fabric is an exclusive fabric with a crocodile pattern, making it look just like real crocodile skin! It’s 0.95mm thickness makes it a sturdy option for marine environments like boat seats, awnings, curtains, car seats, and upholstery for furniture used in passenger ships and cruises.

It is available in 18 beautiful colors with an intricate crocodile skin texture, making it perfect for outdoor use, as well as for fashion accessories like bags, purses, and shoes.

This rugged and heavy-duty super fabric remains unaffected by water, fire, wind, and other external factors.

At Big Z Fabrics, you can get marine vinyl by the yard and in continuous yards at a competitive price

Big Z Fabric’s Marine Vinyl Vs. Other Brands

We believe that quality fabric goes a long way! Therefore, we ensure that our marine vinyl fabric is of superior quality and reasonably priced.

If you’re still contemplating whether you should go for Big Z’s marine vinyl, here’s a comparison table to help you make an informed decision:

	Big Z Fabric	Marine Vinyl Fabric	Sailrite	Joann	Fabric Warehouse
Price	Marine Vinyl: $7.75/yard Crocodile Marine Vinyl: $11.89/yard	$8.9 per yard	$22.95 per yard	$24.99 per yard	$12.98 per yard
Samples	$1.50	Free	$2 for 6×6		$3 for 2×6
Specs	Crocodile Marine Vinyl – Anti-mildew – Anti-fungus – Waterproof – PVC face and polyester backing – 100,000 double rubs – Width: 54” – Thickness/Gauge: 0.95mm – Weight: 35 oz/yard – Prop65 compliant – UFreighttance: > 650 hours	Flexa Marine Vinyl – Anti-mildew – Anti-fungus – Waterproof – PVC face and knit polyester backing – 250,000 double rubs – Width: 54” – Thickness/Gauge: 0.95mm – Weight: 30 oz/yard – Prop65 disclaimer – UV resistance: > 500 hours	Eversoft Marine Vinyl – Anti-mildew – Anti-fungus – Waterproof – Vinyl face and polyester tricot backing – 100,000 double rubs – Width: 54” – Thickness/Gauge: 0.50mm – Weight: 21.3 oz/yard – Prop65 warning – UV resistant	Capitano Marine Vinyl – Anti-mildew – Anti-fungus – Waterproof – PU face and polyester backing – 50,000 double rubs – Width: 54” – Weight: Medium – UV resistance > 300 hours	Marine Vinyl Fabric – Stain resistant – Waterproof – PVC face and vinyl backing – Width: 54” – Weight: Heavy – UV resistant to some extent
Uses	Marine Vinyl – Marine/Outdoor Upholstery – Boat Seating – Auto Upholstery – Commercial Upholstery – Bags/Purses – Headboards Frames – Pillows – Headboards – Shoe Accessories – Clothing Accessories – Furniture – Other Upholstery – Applications Crocodile Marine Vinyl – Upholstery Accessories – Automotive Seating – Drapery – Commercial Use – Boating – Shoes – Decorations	– Boat Seats – Restaurant Booth – Table Coverings – Car Seats – Golf Cart Seats – Purses – Bank Bags – Gym Mats/Pads – Grill Covers – Barstool Seating – RV seating – RV Skirting – Tire Covers – Punching Bags – Bibs – Upholstery – Outdoor Furniture Headboards – Workout Equipment – Easy Clean Baby Changing Tables – Belts – Soft Kids Play Blocks – Kids Smocks -Easy Clean Aprons – Hospital Waiting Room Chairs – Hospital Exam Tables – Airport Terminal Seats – Theater Seats – Massage Tables – Golf Club Covers – Key Fobs – Wallets – Coasters – Appliqué Designs – Luggage Tags – Inhaler Cases – ITH – Snap Cases – Notebook Covers – Hooded Towels – Snap Trays Zipper – Bags – Ornaments	– Exterior Upholstery – Headliners – Hull Liners – Auto Upholstery – Powersport Upholstery – RV Headliners	– Boat upholstery – Other heavy-duty indoor and outdoor upholstery – Crafts and industrial projects	– Auto and marine upholstery – Restaurant booths -Massage tables – Gym equipments
Shipping	Shipped via Freight Shipping from our Los Angeles warehouse.	Shipped via FedEx, UPS, USPS, or Main Frieght. Shipped worldwide from Georgia Warehouse.	Shipped via UPS Ground. Free shipping on orders over $149 to 48 states excluding AK, HI, and PR.	Free shipping on orders over $75 but valid for standard shipping only. Not valid for Express, Express Plus, JOANN+ or International orders.	Shipped via UPS Ground and USPS Priority Mail.
Wholesale	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Marine vinyl fabric is widely used for different purposes, like the ones mentioned earlier. Due to this, customers often face issues and seek answers and solutions.

Therefore, we decided to pick the most common queries and answer them for your convenience and satisfaction.

FAQs about Marine Vinyl Fabric

Here are some common questions regarding marine vinyl fabric that might come in handy if you’re thinking of buying it:

How thick is marine vinyl?

Most marine vinyl fabrics are 0.5mm to 1.5mm thick. However, if the material is too thin, it does not serve the purpose well, and a fabric that’s too thick would be a bit tricky to work with. Therefore, at Big Z, our marine upholstery vinyl is 0.95mm thick, which is the ideal thickness.

How to get stains out of marine vinyl fabric?

Vinyl marine fabric is very easy to clean; in fact, it’s the easiest to clean of all marine fabrics! You just need to give it a good scrub using soap and water, and it will be as good as new!

How to install marine vinyl upholstery?

Installing marine vinyl upholstery is not as difficult as you might think. Following are 5 simple steps to help you get the basics of installing it:

Step 1: Measure the boat/car seat or furniture that requires upholstering. If you’re replacing old fabric with new, it’s better to remove the old fabric and measure the new marine vinyl cloth according to the measurements of the old one.

Step 2: Cut the marine vinyl fabric and foam according to the measurements.

Step 3: Now lay the fabric on a leveled surface, place the foam on it, followed by the seat base. Make sure everything is in the center of the marine vinyl fabric.

Step 4: Stretch the marine upholstery vinyl over the seat base, making sure it fits snuggly over the foam. With the help of a staple gun, secure everything in place without any wrinkles on the fabric.

Step 5: Once the upholstery process is finished, apply marine vinyl protectant on the surface for a nice long-lasting sheen to protect the fabric from UV radiation, premature aging, and cracking.

And that’s how you install marine vinyl upholstery!

How to sew marine vinyl?

You can sew marine vinyl just like other fabrics; however, due to its thickness, sometimes you might require an industrial sewing machine. For needles, we suggest using #16, #17, #18, #21 and #22 size needles. And, if you plan on using the marine vinyl fabric for outdoor use, don’t forget to use V-69 or V-92, or BT-92 bonded UV polyester thread.

How to stretch marine vinyl?

You need a heat gun to stretch marine vinyl. Here are the steps for it:

Pin the fabric in place using a staple gun.
Stretch the marine vinyl fabric over the surface you’re covering.
Gently heat it with the heat gun at lowest setting.
As you apply heat to the marine vinyl fabric, it will form an airtight fitting against the surface you’re covering.

How to cut marine vinyl?

As marine vinyl fabric is a bit thick, you can cut is using:

Fabric scissors
Rotary cutter
Razor blade knife
Cutting machines (Silhouette Cameo or Circuit)

What is the best marine vinyl protectant?

There are many marine vinyl protectants out there; however, here are some of the best ones:

What is the difference between marine vinyl and regular vinyl?

Marine vinyl and regular vinyl are the same fabrics; however, as vinyl marine is used for outdoor upholstery purposes, it has 2 additional features. It has UV protection to keep the fabric from fading or tearing due to weathering, and it has anti-fungal properties to keep it clean and hygienic in case of exposure to water and moisture.

What thread to use for marine vinyl?

We recommend using a V-69 or V-92 or BT-92 bonded UV polyester thread for marine vinyl fabric.

Conclusion

Marine vinyl fabric is the go-to material for outdoor upholstery, especially boats and cars. However, it is quite versatile so you can easily use it personal and commercial use as well.

You’ll find plenty of marine vinyl suppliers, but if you’re looking for a reliable company that offers high-quality marine vinyl rolls by the yard at affordable prices, Big Z Fabric is the best. We have Prop65 compliant marine vinyl fabric in various designs and colors, so you can be sure about its durability and longevity.

So, head over to our online fabric store now, and shop your favorite marine vinyl or any other fabric, because we have something for everyone!