Mildew

[GooDog6]

I pulled the seat cushion out to prevent mildew inside them but it actually caused mildew where I layed seat cushion on bench. I have tried 3M marine mildew remover and it only removed 30%. Should I let it sit longer? It is bleach based so nervous on my grey vinyl. Should I scrub harder? Or use a different product or approach? Thanks

[kend]

I tried them all and like Starbright mildew remover with an honorable mention for 'Awesome Stuff" cleaner. The fine cell foam pad that came with Starbright seemed to make either cleaner work better for some reason. I think you take a lot of life out of your vinyl by using anything strong enough to get rid of the mildew, but if it's that bad what do you have to lose.

[Paxdad]

If you can get them in the sun for extended hours it will go a long way in the Mildew fading to where you cannot see it. Just dont use a magic eraser on them!!!!

[bscott]

Have you tried Babe's Seat Soap? It has worked well on the stuff I have used it on, but admittedly I have not had to use it on anything super bad.

[Chexi]

I tried them all and like Starbright mildew remover with an honorable mention for 'Awesome Stuff" cleaner. The fine cell foam pad that came with Starbright seemed to make either cleaner work better for some reason. I think you take a lot of life out of your vinyl by using anything strong enough to get rid of the mildew, but if it's that bad what do you have to lose.

"Awesome Stuff"? Do you mean "LA's Totally Awesome"? LA's Totally Awesome works pretty well with a stiff brush. Dilute it some though. I try not to go more than 50/50 and then rinse with water and follow (when dry) with 303 Aerospace Protectant.

[Paxdad]

I have had very good luck with the same approach that Chexi1 stated. I once left my rear middle seat closed and it formed a bad mildew stain that would not come out immediately with multiple product use however, once it was left open to the exposed sun over several days it finally disappeared.

[kend]

"Awesome Stuff"? Do you mean "LA's Totally Awesome"?

Yes, you are right. ....memory slipping
I just got some 303 Aerospace Protectant (had to mail order because I could not find it anywhere) and am very impressed. I put it on my cars vinyl top and when I get out of work it is noticeably cooler inside...not sure what's in that stuff but it definitely blocks sun.

[branon2]

I had same issue several years back and tried every cleaner possible. Never got rid of completely until had it out in the sun for a while. After that the stains were completely gone. I was panicked at the time but don't worry it will eventually fad away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GooDog6]

You guys are right!
Update - we took the boat out last weekend and just 2 days in the sun removed 90% of it. Barely visible now.
Amazing that all these 3M mildew removers, bleech, etc don't do what a day in the sun does. Thx

[tommer12]

You can actually use magic erasers. The trick is you have to rinse the seats off when you are done. I scrub with magic erasers, then rinse, then wipe with Babe Seat cleaner. I used to use only babes and soft bristle scrub brush.. it does clean it off. If you only use the magic eraser or "soft scrub" it will dry the vinyl out, and eat the stitching away eventually.

[Paxdad]

You guys are right!
Update - we took the boat out last weekend and just 2 days in the sun removed 90% of it. Barely visible now.
Amazing that all these 3M mildew removers, bleech, etc don't do what a day in the sun does. Thx

Now just let the sun finish the job and follow up with a good vinyl conditioner (303) and occasional cleaner. Trust me the Magic Eraser will take off a thin layer of your vinyl so I would not use it.