Mold on a few of my Seats :( Need some help

[CFD3Captain]

Well, I thought I did a good thing by storing all of my seats in the basement (its finished and pretty dry). I was getting the boat ready today for a Lake trip tomorrow and the last two seats I grabbed had A LOT of mold and mildew on them. The only thing I can think of is they still had some water or dampness in the seat since they are the rear two, right under tower. I thought I was doing a good think placing the seats staggered vinyl to vinyl but maybe that was bad idea. Although none of the other seats did this. I did a quick search and read about Totally Awesome so I immediately went to the dollar store and picked up a bottle.

After an hour of scrubbing, I am about to give up. I am sick to my stomach. They look better, but it's far from gone.

Any advice or suggestions on what else to use would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Here's a few pics.

Before:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1495/26368727161_ea503a1701_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Gb7BUV)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Gb7BUV) by Nozzleman216 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50034596@N02/), on Flickr

After an hour of scrubbing with Totally Not so Awesome
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1715/26162061560_471d49a530_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FRRpqU)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FRRpqU) by Nozzleman216 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50034596@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1538/26162065510_dec668e66d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FRRqB1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FRRqB1) by Nozzleman216 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50034596@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1589/26434917675_e9e7a22c59_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GgXS3F)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GgXS3F) by Nozzleman216 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50034596@N02/), on Flickr

[wolfeman131]

Get them out in the sun, maybe try some Spray 9 and then be sure to get some UV protectant back on the vinyl

[CFD3Captain]

Get them out in the sun, maybe try some Spray 9 and then be sure to get some UV protectant back on the vinyl

So clean some more and let them get some sun..THEN add my vinyl protectant? I just ordered some spray 9 :)

[parrothd]

A little vinegar and totally awesome work great. Dilute the vinegar and try it on a hidden spot, make it stronger if necessary.. And a try a small hand brush

[lsupcar]

Use a nylon scrub brush with whatever liquid cleaning agent you use.

[Wax]

Magic eraser is usually a winner. Tilex works if you're daring, but be extremely quick and careful. Boat Bling vinyl sauce is similar but less harsh, still have to be quick. Honestly try the magic eraser first, you may be surprised.

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[smorris7]

Be careful using the magic eraser and use it sparingly. Very hard on the vinyl. Sun is your friend!


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[Wax]

Try to keep all that stuff off the threads as much as you can.

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[dusty2221]

Did you clean those using a brush or rag? It's amazing the difference when you switch to a brush

[kaneboats]

My boys cleaned up my buddy's boat last year that had been sitting for 2 years out in the street in front of his apartment after his divorce. The mildew stains were not coming off. So, we treated them with Lysol Power White and Shine with Bleach and let them sit in the sun. After two treatments they were like brand new. (I would try to keep off the threads as much as I could.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/LYSOL-Power-White-Shine-Multi-Purpose-Cleaner-with-Bleach-32-oz-Pack-of-2/48663162

This is what they looked like-- cover was torn and boat was full of leaves and dirt plus nasty mildew:

23778

This is the only pic I have of the process but you can see the combination of product and sun starting to work:

23779

[ghebert1111]

Google baking soda and mildew removal. Some use vinegar as well. I used a paste mixture last year on a life vest, let is sit on the vest overnight and 90% of the mildew was gone with just a rinse.

[trayson]

I have been told this is some of the best vinyl cleaner on the market. Never really put it to the test, but I have a bottle at home.

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/smd/images/prodimages/StarBrite/ZZ7019.jpg

[icemanftr]

I have been told this is some of the best vinyl cleaner on the market. Never really put it to the test, but I have a bottle at home.

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/smd/images/prodimages/StarBrite/ZZ7019.jpg

I believe it! You seen what their hull cleaner can do? It is amazing!!!

[icemanftr]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160415/a09a3c859446c4aa6daaa233551501d6.jpg


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[VA LSV]

I used this with a soft nylon brush on my toon seats last year. Worked better than anything I have tried in the past and left the vinyl nice and soft. Bought some to use on the Moomba this year.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Attwood-22-oz-Mildew-Stain-Remover/16351033

[patrick232]

I used 3M mildew stain remover and a soft brush on the old 06 LSV it works wonders.

[parrothd]

Starbright is just cheap acid in an expensive bottle.. Lol..

Oops..Thought that was the hull cleaner, same issue though..

[Brennen M]

I had a similar issue. tried Marine Spray Nine - nothing. Bleach - nothing. Tried everything but nothing would take it out. My wife bought some "oil eater" cleaner from Costco to try. i had nothing to loose. It cleaned the mold and mildew plus 5 years of grime out. i was amazed. Vinyl seriously looked brand new.

[Michael78]

Attwood from Walmart is pretty cheap and works great for me, full of bleach though so rinse good. Once dry I use 303 aerospace protectant to protect.

[K_Dubbs]

Use tilex mold and mildew remover and soft tooth brush. Will be done in less than 5 minutes. Then rinse down really good and dry. Have used it many years. No long term degradation to the material

[DFTR Josh]

No matter what you use plan on a good seat conditioner to soak in when done. I recommend Boat Bling conditioning sauce.

[CRAZy440]

X14 mildew stain remover. Stuff disappears right in front of your eyes. Says its for bathrooms but is also for vinyl boat covers, vinyl and plastics.


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[CFD3Captain]

Thanks for all of the input. I did use a brush as well as a rag. The brush might have been too stiff. Regardless, the boat saw some sun and water today :) Lake time makes up for it all, even if it was only a few hours


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[kaneboats]

Aw, BS! You have to pick a winner from above. Just sayin!

[CFD3Captain]

Aw, BS! You have to pick a winner from above. Just sayin!

Well so far, Totally Awesome it is not. I plan to try Marine Spray Nine Saturday, followed by some more sun. If that doesn't work I will start picking from the rest of the list.

[ghebert1111]

I got to thinking, I used a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, not vinegar. You can try a small amount on part of the seat and test it out. As I recall I left it on over night then rinsed, using a brush can only make it work better. Google it and you can try tonight without purchasing anything.

[mazzyel2162]

I just went thru this when I thought I was going to sell the boat last month.

I store all the removable cushions in my garage. All the remaining upholstery was moldy.

I have a gallon of spray nine - and for my situation it did not work. It may be a good conditioner, but it did nothing to remove mold.

I borrowed my father in laws' electric power washer and tested the pressure on a piece of Styrofoam. It did not dent or tear the Styrofoam, so I was confident I could use it on the upholstery.

The heaviest mold came off with the pressure washer.

I then repeatedly scrubbed the upholstery with several applications of Soft Scrub with bleach and Camco RV Mildew Stain Remover

After getting the majority of the mold off by scrubbing, I sprayed all the upholstery with a weak bleach solution and let it sit in the sun for a couple hours before rinsing it off with plain clean water.

Yes, I know bleach is not recommended, but sometimes you gotta do what works.

The upholstery turned out awesome. No one looking to buy the boat even noticed the mold left in the nooks and crannys.

[5:00]

After getting the majority of the mold off by scrubbing, I sprayed all the upholstery with a weak bleach solution and let it sit in the sun for a couple hours before rinsing it off with plain clean water.

Yes, I know bleach is not recommended, but sometimes you gotta do what works.

I wouldn't let bleach anywhere near my boat. There are a lot of other ways to deal with it but they may take more time. Bleach can eat away at the thread, cause discoloration not only of the seats but where it drips on carpets etc. It will also dry out they vinyl.

There is a thread from last Fall on this https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?27224-Winterization-Under-Cover-Mold-Prevention

Elbow grease took care of mine along with a bunch of Simple Green in the end.

[ghebert1111]

So where did you end up on this?

[CFD3Captain]

Still status quo, They look A LOT better but I can still see some of the mold on the silver parts of the seat. This is the part of the seat that isn't smooth, it's kind of textured. Maybe its underneath........ I am not sure at this point. At certain angles you can't see it, so just dealing with it at this point :( The dark gray and red you can't tell at all :)

[5:00]

Get it out in the sun a for a few hours.

[CFD3Captain]

It's been in the sun a few days for 6+ hours. Helped other sections but not the textured. It still not real hot here yet so we will see once it really warms


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[ghebert1111]

Did you try the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

[CFD3Captain]

Did you try the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

Hope, but maybe that will be next since I have it already around the house :) I looked at Walmart today for a few things posted in here with no luck. So far the only items I tried were Totally Awesome and Marine Spray Nine. The TA worked well I guess I things considered. The Spray9 just I didn't notice helping as much since it appears the mold is deep seated in the textured vinyl (although the red and gray look new)

[parrothd]

You need to mix the vinegar and TA.. ;)

[jmvotto]

You need to mix the vinegar and TA.. ;)

What s the ratio. Or just spray 50/50 vinegar and ta together.


Anyone try this? Maguires super degreaser diluted 5 to 1


http://youtu.be/OCJiN3AaudY

[CFD3Captain]

What s the ratio. Or just spray 50/50 vinegar and ta together.

I was curious of that as well. Wasn't sure if the TA needed diluted some with water before the vinegar etc......