It depends on what the stains are. I know sometimes WD-40 works pretty well on glue and other hard to get out stains. It's worth a shot to try. I have never had it ruin anything but I would test it out in a small corner first.

I have had good luck with purple power. I keep a diluted down spray bottle on hand.

Stay away from Goof Off. It's very powerful and can remove any stain but it'll definitely ruin vinyl.

I've gotten very good results from Action Foam by crest

I have found that 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner # 8984 will remove almost any stain without harming vinyl or fabric. It is probably the best product 3M makes.

For glue you want to use lemon adhesive remover or wax and grease remover... however for regular boat staining I will tell you fantastic spray and either scotch brite or steel wool work AMAZINGLY!

I always used solvent lightly to lift as much as I can with out damaging the material, then I find some sem dye that is a comparable match and dye it blending into the color around.

If that wasn't an option I just replaced.

Ditto what Naseem said stay away from goof off.

If your trying to remove glue, or some other things for that matter. I find that landau glue/adhesive does the trick. Dab it on with your finger, let it tack up a bit then rub off before it sets.

I made the mistake of using goof off had to redo the whole seat :'(

how about removing tire stains from boat vinyl? never had any luck and always recovered, but any help would be appreciated.

Kent Acrysol is just as good, if not better than the 3M product.

I've always used Goo Gone and not Goof Off for removing glue and some other stains from vinyl. Its a more natural formula. Then when I'm finished I'll wipe down with a mild detergent. Especially if its a boat seat. Some solvents don't mix well with UV Rays

We use silicone remover for cleaning out all marks our works left. Its a solvent which does the job but not harm vinyl and leather. And its cheap if you tab something from the big barrell of the painters shop on the corner ;)

Recently read an article in marine fabricator about pink stains, its actually caused by bacteria! They offer something called Pink away which can be pricey, but could be worth it to some.

Yup, and it gets even grosser -- it's bacteria poop! We wrote about this last year: "That Pink Stain on Your Vinyl is Bacteria"

Be wary of cleaners. Studies have shown that the stain is permanent. Cleaners can make it appear like it's gone, but it'll come back. The best way to avoid the pink stains is to use marine-grade vinyl, foam and thread infused with antimicrobial solutions.

Check out the Pink Away product, its a light box they place over the area and apply some sort of chemical that is supposed to kill the bacteria, pretty neat, but pretty expensive

Will definitely give it a try. Thanks Diana!

Lacquer thinner works and didn't damage the vinyl. ( chalk, seabrook) It cleaned a black china marker where acrysolv or spray 9 didn't.

We use kerosene to remove glue stains here in nz, in the uk used to use prepaint wipe