How to prevent mildew on seats

[Evening Shade]

Hey guys looking for suggestions to prevent mildew from forming on vinyl over winter lay up? Got the boat out of winter storage (metal building with concrete floor) yesterday and the seats had a fair amount of mildew on them. The seats weren't wet when I stored the boat in the fall, but I did wipe them down with 303. I stored the boat with the cover off because I was afraid that would promote mildew formation, but what happened instead is now I have a dusty boat with mildew on the seats.

Should I store the boat next winter with the cover on and should I wipe the seats down with some product to prevent mildew?

Thanks in advance.

[rossrips7]

I've heard that 3m mildew block works well.


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[vvfdfirefighter]

Hey guys looking for suggestions to prevent mildew from forming on vinyl over winter lay up? Got the boat out of winter storage (metal building with concrete floor) yesterday and the seats had a fair amount of mildew on them. The seats weren't wet when I stored the boat in the fall, but I did wipe them down with 303. I stored the boat with the cover off because I was afraid that would promote mildew formation, but what happened instead is now I have a dusty boat with mildew on the seats.

Should I store the boat next winter with the cover on and should I wipe the seats down with some product to prevent mildew?

Thanks in advance.

Is the storage area climate controlled? This will ultimately tell you how to better aim your layup period to minimize the growth of mold. I'm going to suspect the building is not climate controlled. In which case you've got mold growing. First off I would let the boat air out with all the seats in the opened/up position. I usually leave my cover on unless the building is climate controlled. Grab you about 4 of the 5lb moisture absorber buckets for RV's at Wal-Mart. Usually around $10.00 Each. The reason for the mold build up is cool moisture laden air that gets trapped under the cover or in the building. Imagine an unfinished basement or fruit cellar. Always damp and moist. Leaving your seats up and open will allow the air to be able to flow through the whole boat and keeps moisture collection in those areas to a minimum.

Randomly place those buckets of moisture absorbent around inside the boat. I've been told by my local upholstery shop to use silicone spray on the seats. it will keep them moistened and soft through layup as well as keeping less of a surface for the mold to stick to. I have done this process for years and I've had little mold each spring when I pull the boat out. Since I don't have a climate controlled garage to put it in.

[fb_rider]

If you have power there, get a boat air dryer. It's basically a small heater that drys the air. I used to have mildew issues in my boat. Now I use this device every time and I have none. It uses about the same electricity as a light bulb.
http://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instrume.../dp/B00PQ058RO

[Evening Shade]

Thanks for the replies. My storage unit isn't climate controlled and unfortunately doesn't have electricity. I will have to try using the moisture absorbent buckets with the cover on. I prefer to use 303 protectant to silicone. Don't know if this is true, but I was always told to not use Armor All because it has silicone in it and will cause vinyl and rubber to crack prematurely. Again, I don't know if that is true or just hearsay.

[twhite1999]

Don't put the cover on after you clean it or pull it out of the water. Let it sit with all the seats open so compartments and all can dry out. I put aerospace 303 on my seats to condition them it seems to help with keeping the mildew off too.

[vvfdfirefighter]

Thanks for the replies. My storage unit isn't climate controlled and unfortunately doesn't have electricity. I will have to try using the moisture absorbent buckets with the cover on. I prefer to use 303 protectant to silicone. Don't know if this is true, but I was always told to not use Armor All because it has silicone in it and will cause vinyl and rubber to crack prematurely. Again, I don't know if that is true or just hearsay.

I've also heard that. I was skeptic as well. I did forget to mention I add 303 to the seats after. I might be regretting my decision in a few years but I guess only time will tell.

[kend]

Make sure the bilge is completely empty if you are using a cover. I used some of the moisture crystal chemical (from Home Depot) this winter and changed it a few times and no mold this spring. I worked on a new system to use next winter that is a cup that holds the crystals and has a small tube on the bottom that lets the water that the crystals collect drain out through the plug.

[azeus17]

I used one big bucket of damp rid this year, with cover on and seats propped partially open. It worked great. No mold. My layup is 6 months or more. Can't imagine it is that long in GA, but we probably have drier air over the winter than you do.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have always used a fan under the cover and have never had an mildew issue , if the cover is on the fan is running..

[Evening Shade]

I wish I had electricity in my boat storage. I would use a fan if I did.

[brettmcox]

I used rid-dri (I think that is what it is called.... ) in 2 places and 2 small trash cans with dollar general charcoal.. worked well in cave storage