Mold is a fungus that mars your perfectly white vinyl seats. The black dots ruin your boat’s beauty and make it difficult for people to decide whether they should sit down or stay standing. Moreover, they also diminish the value of your boat.
The sad news is that it is almost impossible to make vinyl boat seats look new again. However, you should remain optimistic. Break the word impossible, and you get I’m possible. The good news is that you can kill the mold spores with a disinfectant. Regularly wipe the seats and cover the boat with a tarp for extra protection.
Let’s take a look at the steps on how to prevent mildew from building on your boat’s vinyl seats:
Things You Need
- Bleach-Free Stain Remover
- Microfiber Cloth
- Magic Eraser Sponges
- A Soft Brush
- UV Protectant Marine Spray
A Word of Caution
Bleach is quite helpful in cleaning stains. However, when it comes to vinyl, the solution can be deadly.
Vinyl has certain oils that make it resistant to water and durable. When bleach is used on it, it strips away the oil and exposes the stitching. As a result, the material degrades faster and comes apart after some time. Hence, you should pick a cleaner that does not have bleach.
Removing Mold Stains
Spray the Mold Remover
Cover the seats with the mold cleaner and let the solution sit for a while, for about 5 minutes. If the stains remain after scrubbing, re-spray the remover and let it sit for five more minutes.
Start Scrubbing
Take a soft brush and scrub the seats with it. Keep a steady and light hand; otherwise, you might scratch the surface. Get into the crevices and make sure no area is left untouched.
Wipe Away Debris
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the gunk and debris. Once there’s no dirt in sight. You will most likely need three pieces of cloth to complete this step, so make sure you have plenty on hand.
Use Magic Eraser
Magic Eraser is a sponge that removes stains that stick. One of the best things about this sponge is that you don’t need to put in any elbow grease to clean the seats.
Repeat as Necessary
If you still see stains on the seats, repeat the entire process. If your boat is big, this will take some time.
Use Vinyl Protectant
With the cleaning done, it’s time for some preventative maintenance. A vinyl protectant makes your seats shine and shields them from harmful UV rays. Moreover, they prevent future mold build-up.
Keeping your boat’s vinyl seats free of mold depends on the type of cleaner you use. The good news is that you will find specific cleaners made for this job, which will make this entire process easy for you.
For quality dock materials, visit the EZ Dock website. The company offers different types of docks, including floating docks, do-it-yourself docks, and more. For more information, contact us by calling (800) 654-8168
