Unwrapped and full of mildew

KNEEOIL · **Joined:** Fri May 21, 2010 12:36 pm **Posts:** 33

We had our boat in the northwest for its first winter. Detail cleaned it last year, but it hadn't fully dried when the wrap was installed. So... boat had a decent amount of mildew buildup.

Any tips/tricks to remove stains on the cushions? Advice for next winter?

Thanks!

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Its humid here always....I would try 3m marine vinyl with a brush. I always use it to wipe down vinyl before putting top on, but never close it up wet. If that doesn't work you may try simple green....I wouldn't use anything abrasive like magic eraser. Its more for small stains that will not come out with anything else.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:37 pm

1 cup bleach per gallon of water will clean it right up. Keeping it dry is the only way to keep it from happening again. I am going to try some Silica Gel Desiccant Packs next year.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:48 pm

ditto on the damp rid. Buy 5-6 and put them in any nook or cranny that does not dry out regularly.

As far as the mildew, you can try some vinegar in a spot where it won't be noticeable to see if it stains or dyes whatever you are trying to clean - then clean with the vinegar. It may stink, but it fades.

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:19 am

I have 2 mop buckets filled with charcoal to help with dampness that I keep in my boat whenever it is covered. Seems to work very well.

afw200 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:07 am

GottWhat wrote:

1 cup bleach per gallon of water will clean it right up. Keeping it dry is the only way to keep it from happening again. I am going to try some Silica Gel Desiccant Packs next year.

Bleach will eventually rot your stitching. Use at your own risk.

Advise for next winter, store the boat in a indoor heated facility.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:35 am

afw200 wrote:

GottWhat wrote:

1 cup bleach per gallon of water will clean it right up. Keeping it dry is the only way to keep it from happening again. I am going to try some Silica Gel Desiccant Packs next year.

Bleach will eventually rot your stitching. Use at your own risk.

Advise for next winter, store the boat in a indoor heated facility.

I would certainly not recommend using bleach as an everyday cleaner but if you dilute it first and only use it when you have mildew/mold issues, it works really well.

afw200 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:03 am

Bleach diluted if you want........... not on my boat.

This works excellent for mold removal.

Quote:

Concrobium Mold Control effectively eliminates and prevents mold with no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Concrobium works as it dries by crushing the mold spores at the roots and leaving behind an invisible antimicrobial barrier to prevent future mold growth. Ideal for: homes, buildings, boats, cars and RVs. Works on: drywall, wood, composite wood, plastic, concrete, siding, shingles, metal, brick, stone, tile, grout, stucco, fabric, furniture, upholstery, flooring, and many more.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:11 am

alex8q4 wrote:

I have 2 mop buckets filled with charcoal to help with dampness that I keep in my boat whenever it is covered. Seems to work very well.

Calcium chloride is the most effective. It is what you find in those little packets when you buy electronics.

I make three kitchen sieves full each year,maybe a lb or two of "salt" in each, place them over a bucket to catch the drips and it keeps the cabin nice and dry the whole winter. Could be done under shrink wrap too, placed in the cockpit.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:47 am

afw200 wrote:

Bleach diluted if you want........... not on my boat.

This works excellent for mold removal.

Quote:

Concrobium Mold Control effectively eliminates and prevents mold with no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Concrobium works as it dries by crushing the mold spores at the roots and leaving behind an invisible antimicrobial barrier to prevent future mold growth. Ideal for: homes, buildings, boats, cars and RVs. Works on: drywall, wood, composite wood, plastic, concrete, siding, shingles, metal, brick, stone, tile, grout, stucco, fabric, furniture, upholstery, flooring, and many more.

I will give it a try

GottWhat · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:47 am

Haddock_ wrote:

alex8q4 wrote:

I have 2 mop buckets filled with charcoal to help with dampness that I keep in my boat whenever it is covered. Seems to work very well.

Calcium chloride is the most effective. It is what you find in those little packets when you buy electronics.

I make three kitchen sieves full each year,maybe a lb or two of "salt" in each, place them over a bucket to catch the drips and it keeps the cabin nice and dry the whole winter. Could be done under shrink wrap too, placed in the cockpit.

Silica Gel is often used in packets for electronics as well.

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 12:58 pm

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-30-Pint-Dehumidifier-ADEL30LR/203661853

For those time I get home from boating after dark, there is no way I can get the interior completely dry without leaving the boat open through the night and the next day. I would rather get the whole-boat cover back on right away, so I actually bought a dehumidifier for the boat a few months ago for $179 at Home Depot.

I open the ski locker and set it on the lower floor, with a drain hose to the bilge. Plug it into an extension cord, set to 50 or 50% relative humidity, and put the cover on. Feels bone dry when I open it back up.

I can see where buckets of Damp Rid or similar could be better for winter layup under shrinkwrap... no extension cord necessary.

deafwish · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:37 pm

^^^ Are you not hesitant that a thermostat is clicking on & off, in a petrol powered, enclosed boat?!

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:30 pm

Haddock_ wrote:

alex8q4 wrote:

I have 2 mop buckets filled with charcoal to help with dampness that I keep in my boat whenever it is covered. Seems to work very well.

Calcium chloride is the most effective. It is what you find in those little packets when you buy electronics.

I make three kitchen sieves full each year,maybe a lb or two of "salt" in each, place them over a bucket to catch the drips and it keeps the cabin nice and dry the whole winter. Could be done under shrink wrap too, placed in the cockpit.

I like that idea, and I will be looking into this for sure! We buy 60 lb bags of the stuff on a regular basis for dust control.

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:31 pm

deafwish wrote:

^^^ Are you not hesitant that a thermostat is clicking on & off, in a petrol powered, enclosed boat?!

Well, I would think that all the controls are solid state (no clicking to it). And my cover has two vents, I keep the head port (window) open, and the plug is pulled. Just a canvas cover, not shrink wrap. If I am building up gas fumes there must be a problem.

I'm open to more opinions though...

www.iFourWinns.com

Unwrapped and full of mildew

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