Cushion Cleaning Products? (Mildew)

[Jonah]

Hi all,

I'm attaching a photo of the cushions off of my captain's chair. Any tips on ways to remove the mildew stains? I'm entirely new at this.

Thanks,

 

[Lt.Mike]

You may not be able to get all of it out but I use a 25% bleach and water solution in a spray bottle. I mist it on and give a few minutes for the bleach to do its thing. Follow up with a light brushing and rinse. It also works great for stains on the deck and gel coat from dried fish blood or oak leaves.
Mike.

 

[seasick]

You may not be able to get all of it out but I use a 25% bleach and water solution in a spray bottle. I mist it on and give a few minutes for the bleach to do its thing. Follow up with a light brushing and rinse. It also works great for stains on the deck and gel coat from dried fish blood or oak leaves.
Mike.

If the mildew is bleeding from the inside out, you are probably not going to have a lot of luck.
The vinyl to me looks worn and may have lost most of its protective coating. In any event, the bleach may work. I like the DEP mildew remover sold at Home Depot. After cleaning, rinsing and thorough drying, appy a vinyl treatment.

Note that bleach can stain gel coat and is generally not recommended to clean it. If you use bleach or DEP, rinse really well afterwards

 

[DennisG01]

Yeah, unfortunately that looks like you're getting it from the inside and the vinyl is pretty much past it's due date. The vinyl is also getting hard? Most likely, about the only permanent fix for this is going to be having the seats re-upholstered. Another alternative is to spray them with vinyl/fabric paint (SEM, for example). It may not turn out to be a perfect resolution, but it will look much better than it does now. Being as it's much less expensive than new vinyl, it might be worth a few hours of your time.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Note that bleach can stain gel coat and is generally not recommended to clean it. If you use bleach or DEP, rinse really well afterwards

Honestly I never saw any of that. We have a lot of trees so leaves and acorns fall and if left for a few days leave stains soap won't remove.
I spray a little bleach, wait a few minutes and follow with a soapy brush (dish soap). Comes back bright and white. My decks gel coat got badly stained once after a day snagging bunker. That fish blood looked to be there to stay, bleach took it out. It also worked on the muddy water line stains on the hull.
I know bleach is a mild corrosive but I prefer it to products containing acids which clean quickly but can and have done a number on hoses, deck seals, and my trailer.
(Prior owner loved it and I'm still making repairs :roll: )
Another old car guy restoration trick for plastic parts that have stained or yellowed is to submerge the part in a bucket of bleach and water overnight and it will come up like new. I am planning to do just that with my helm seats.
Another one...I used to work in a plastics factory. There I learned another trick for brittle plastic parts (nylon, etc..). You have to understand, plastic is hydroscopic and can dry out becoming brittle. We would submerge plastic parts in near boiling water for 10-20 minutes to remove the brittleness. Clips that would snap before treatment would now flex without issue. New or old part doesn't matter it works.

Mike

 

[seasick]

Note that bleach can stain gel coat and is generally not recommended to clean it. If you use bleach or DEP, rinse really well afterwards

Another one...I used to work in a plastics factory. There I learned another trick for brittle plastic parts (nylon, etc..). You have to understand, plastic is hydroscopic and can dry out becoming brittle. We would submerge plastic parts in near boiling water for 10-20 minutes to remove the brittleness. Clips that would snap before treatment would now flex without issue. New or old part doesn't matter it works.

Mike

Now that's an interesting tip!

 

[Parthery]

Interesting tip on the plastics.

I've used Clorox Clean Up with good results....just be careful about spraying it near the seams on the cushions as the bleach will definitely eat the threads. It removes the mold and mildew though - quickly. I also use it on the deck as I too have a leaf problem, even with the cover on the boat.

 

[blindmullet]

Start with a bleach solution to kill it. Later use a magic eraser.

 

[seasick]

Start with a bleach solution to kill it. Later use a magic eraser.

Magic Eraser is more abrasive than many folks believe and I won't use one on gel coat. It can wear right through it. That said, is can be used as fine grit sandpaper when needed.

On vinyl there is a protective layer that blocks UV rays and slows the absorption of moisture and stains. That can also be abraded away. Vinyl may look great for a time but then it will start to mildew and or stain.
For stubborn stains on vinyl, I use acetone sparingly followed by a soapy wash and rinse . After things dry, a light rub with Aerospace 303 protectant helps protect the vinyl

 

[Lt.Mike]

I too have a leaf problem, even with the cover on the boat.

The damned leaves seem to have a mind of their own. :roll:
I have bubble scuppers on the boat which work great unless a big leaf or acorn finds its way down the deck drain then its a pita to clear it.
I've resorted to stuffing mesh in the drain when its stored.

 

[blindmullet]

Start with a bleach solution to kill it. Later use a magic eraser.

Magic Eraser is more abrasive than many folks believe and I won't use one on gel coat. It can wear right through it. That said, is can be used as fine grit sandpaper when needed.

On vinyl there is a protective layer that blocks UV rays and slows the absorption of moisture and stains. That can also be abraded away. Vinyl may look great for a time but then it will start to mildew and or stain.
For stubborn stains on vinyl, I use acetone sparingly followed by a soapy wash and rinse . After things dry, a light rub with Aerospace 303 protectant helps protect the vinyl

Correct. I wouldn't use it on anything that still has a finish that you don't want dull. Works great on mildew damage.