mildew inside bimini

JeffLW · **Posted:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:40 pm

Any suggestions for keeping the bimini mildew free?
First year with the boat in a slip and the bottom side of the bimini is getting mildew. It is surprising because the cockpit and bilge have remained bone dry all summer.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:44 pm

buy sunbrella

JeffLW · **Posted:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:14 pm

Jdpber wrote:

buy sunbrella

It is.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:19 pm

I scrubbed mine a few weeks ago, and a slip neighbor did a few weeks before that. I don't recall it being an issue last year, but I plan to clean the bimini really good on both sides when I bring it home next month.

Thalasso · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:45 pm **Posts:** 333

What causes mildew/mold on the underside is dirt and moisture. Wipe the underside down to clean off the dirt and you shouldn't experience this for the most part. The type of material is irrelevant.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:40 am

You can also try storing it with some type of moisture absorbant - that should keep it mildew free.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:24 am

fi.na.tine wrote:

You can also try storing it with some type of moisture absorbant - that should keep it mildew free.

This is what I was thinking of trying next year. Maybe the big tub of DampRid in the cockpit when we are not there during the week.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:28 am

firecadet613 wrote:

I scrubbed mine a few weeks ago, and a slip neighbor did a few weeks before that. I don't recall it being an issue last year, but I plan to clean the bimini really good on both sides when I bring it home next month.

So you had the mildew too? It was kind of a wet summer, which probably did help.

I cleaned mine really good last fall before storing. The only thing I forgot was to hit it with 303 this spring. That probably would have helped.

Bliss36 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:40 am

JeffLW wrote:

firecadet613 wrote:

I scrubbed mine a few weeks ago, and a slip neighbor did a few weeks before that. I don't recall it being an issue last year, but I plan to clean the bimini really good on both sides when I bring it home next month.

So you had the mildew too? It was kind of a wet summer, which probably did help.

I cleaned mine really good last fall before storing. The only thing I forgot was to hit it with 303 this spring. That probably would have helped.

I usually get mildew on the underside of the bimini every year but for some reason this year it was ok. I scrubbed the top in the spring and doused both sides repeatedly with waterproofing spray when normally I only spray the outside...not sure if this is what made the difference this year or not.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:04 am

JeffLW wrote:

firecadet613 wrote:

I scrubbed mine a few weeks ago, and a slip neighbor did a few weeks before that. I don't recall it being an issue last year, but I plan to clean the bimini really good on both sides when I bring it home next month.

So you had the mildew too? It was kind of a wet summer, which probably did help.

I cleaned mine really good last fall before storing. The only thing I forgot was to hit it with 303 this spring. That probably would have helped.

I clean mine really good every year, and it sits in the guest bedroom until we put it on the boat. I doused it with 303 on the topside, but did get the underside after I scrubbed it a few weeks ago. This is the first year it has been an issue...but I agree all this rain hasn't helped!

Bliss36 wrote:

I usually get mildew on the underside of the bimini every year but for some reason this year it was ok. I scrubbed the top in the spring and doused both sides repeatedly with waterproofing spray when normally I only spray the outside...not sure if this is what made the difference this year or not.

I think you may have found the solution.

7cstevan · **Joined:** Sun May 12, 2013 7:20 am **Posts:** 34

I find washing it in a commercial laundry large cap. washer with Lestoil works great on Sunbrella. Does NOT hurt the waterproofing which is built in to the fabric. Spin only to dry, do NOT put it in
a dryer
Then try spraying it with the recommended Sunbrella 303 waterproofing, inside and out.

Finally, Canberra jel works great on the interior of my boat (last year). Try a tub of it in your cockpit. A bit pricey, but one container will last 6 to 9 months--a LOT longer than Damp Rid
Google it and you can get it at Amazon or any good marina

http://kanberragel.com/

JeffLW · **Posted:** Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:59 am

I've only ever put 303 on the outside. Never thought about putting it on the inside. That may happen this weekend.
I bet it is caused by condensation forming on the inside with the change in temp from day to night.

Thalasso · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:45 pm **Posts:** 333

You have to kill the mildew living in the material.Mild bleach solution or commercially available mildew remover. Simple washing only removes it from the surface and leaves spores behind to continue growth in the humid air.
You have to kill the stuff in the fabric. Mildew feeds not on the fabric but on the organic matter (dirt)

http://www.sunbrella.com/na/en/marine.pl

Mildew -Bleach (1 cup) / Dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:11 am

I have used this on 3 boats, two campers and several tents. It already has the correct mix of bleach, so no worry
about damaging the Sunbrella. For $2.00 a bottle at Dollar General, it is hard to beat, and no mixing of bleach, soap, water etc.

You will have to trust me on this, it is an awesome product for your boat canvas mold issues.

http://www.dollargeneral.com/product/in ... d=11786557

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:00 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

I have used this on 3 boats, two campers and several tents. It already has the correct mix of bleach, so no worry
about damaging the Sunbrella. For $2.00 a bottle at Dollar General, it is hard to beat, and no mixing of bleach, soap, water etc.

You will have to trust me on this, it is an awesome product for your boat canvas mold issues.

http://www.dollargeneral.com/product/in ... d=11786557

I picked some of this up and am using it on my canvas today...so far it seems like great stuff!

Jeff - the underside of your bimini top, is it the same fabric thats on the top? On mine its more of a rubbery type material...I don't recall my 268 having it on there.

www.iFourWinns.com

mildew inside bimini

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