School me on marine grade vinyls?

[agarabaghi]

I think ive lost the battle in my Mastercraft to mildew damage. Nothing I try seems to clean it, and it only get worse and worse as the day of on (damn FL!)...

Ive been looking at NON-Mastercraft brands as their vinyl is WAY too expensive.

There a lot of new "weaver" vinyl that is being placed on boats, and I was wondering if anyone knew of brands that could be purchases or gotten through a vinyl shop. I plan on removing all the seats from my boat and taking them to the shop so that can replace the vinyls then re install them into the boat.

Any help or suggestions in the orlando area would be great.

[Shtexas]

Nautolex and morbern are good quality marine vinyl.

What color is your vinyl on the boat now?

[Mike Phillips]

Mold and mildew damage is a tough problem to fix in an area where moisture is already a problem.

I was watching Ship Shape TV over the weekend and the guy from Sunbrella was on and he was talking about a new material they have out that is waterproof plus has some type of anti-mold and mildew product added to it to prevent mold and mildew in the first place.

Maybe give them a call, let them know you heard about in on Ship Shape TV as a sponsor always likes to hear this kind of feedback. (Watch Ship Shape TV too if you get the channel).


:)

[Shtexas]

Mold and mildew damage is a tough problem to fix in an area where moisture is already a problem.

I was watching Ship Shape TV over the weekend and the guy from Sunbrella was on and he was talking about a new material they have out that is waterproof plus has some type of anti-mold and mildew product added to it to prevent mold and mildew in the first place.

Maybe give them a call, let them know you heard about in on Ship Shape TV as a sponsor always likes to hear this kind of feedback. (Watch Ship Shape TV too if you get the channel).


:)

I just had a bimini made with Sunbrella's new canvas. They also used Tenara thread which is made from ptfe and has a lifetime warranty.

[agarabaghi]

Hmm my boat cover is sunbrella now but it is a few years old.

The vinyl skins are white with grey and black accents. They are 2006 vinyl as the boat company sends you the ones based on the hull. They have since changed to thie carbon weaves material on all their boats (similar it seems to the nautolex).

Im going to try a Bleach / water mixture as my last resort. But so far NOTHING has improved the look, and saldy they just seem to get worse and worse =(

[allenk4]

Magic Eraser, used carefully works wonder

I have also found that sunshine will actually fade a lot of stains from vinyl

Most boat manufacturers will sell you replacement vinyl so you can have them re-covered locally. I had the rear sunpad on a 2000 Baja 232 (like the one Mike did recently) for $1,200 in labor + $300 in vinyl from Baja.

I also purchased a replacement back seat (bottom section only) for $300.

Good Luck

A Boat is a Black Hole for Cash

[Shtexas]

If you haven't tried the bleach yet to rid the mildew I would give it a shot. wet down the seams first with plain water and try to keep the bleach off of them. It can weaken and degrade certain threads.
If you do end up replacing the seats and plan to keep it for awhile, check out the Nautolex with Prefixx. The Prefixx is a new coating that is a lot more durable and stain resistant than regular coatings. Their warranty covers labor cost as well which a lot of warranties do not.

[agarabaghi]

If you haven't tried the bleach yet to rid the mildew I would give it a shot. wet down the seams first with plain water and try to keep the bleach off of them. It can weaken and degrade certain threads.
If you do end up replacing the seats and plan to keep it for awhile, check out the Nautolex with Prefixx. The Prefixx is a new coating that is a lot more durable and stain resistant than regular coatings. Their warranty covers labor cost as well which a lot of warranties do not.


Def looked into that brand and coating... But I got some good results today so for now I think im actually content. I need to figure out a fan system to keep the boat dry. In florida is almost impossible with the rain to ever keep the carpet dry.

Here are some before and after pictrues using a 5/2 mixture of water/bleach, then CG Spray citrus cleaner, and then coating the vinyl in a condition (Malco leather conditioner).

I had just replace the interior and back engine cushions and year about and the engine ones were already getting ruined. I think my cover migthe be to blame also. I just coated it again with 303 fabric guard, but I think a new one might be needed.

http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/138/nfwp.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/nfwp.jpg/)
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[agarabaghi]

After:

http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/19/uv5v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/uv5v.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/198/o42b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/o42b.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/11/zyxt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/zyxt.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/23/0s4e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/0s4e.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/29/lvd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/lvd8.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/28/hf31.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/hf31.jpg/)

[Shtexas]

If the boat is outside under the cover look up the Sol-Air vent for covered boats. It's a solar powered fan that helps and costs $35
Another thing, When is the last time you treated the boat cover? It needs to be cleaned and treated every few years to maintain the water repellant.
You should also remove the carpets when it's under cover outside if they're snap in and any removable cushions.

[agarabaghi]

I actually just added 2 solar vents but I'm pretty sure they are broken already. The carpet is not snap in. We ride everyday and I take the boat to work so removing the 8 cushions and walking them up to the house is not exactly feasible ... I also just coated the cover , but it def needs to be cleaned but if the seats last it might be worth just having a new cover built

[Shtexas]

Yeah the sol-air vents aren't very durable. Marinco makes one called minivent 1000. It's around $100 but it's supposed to be much more durable. If you can run power from the house a dehumidifier would be fine under the cover if it's treated.

[agarabaghi]

I have power down at the dock where the boat sits...

Ive never seen a power dehumidifier... might be worth a look

[agarabaghi]

Amazon.com: Ironwood Pacific Drywave Air Dryer (1000 Cubic Feet): Sports & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.com/Ironwood-Pacific-Drywave-Dryer-Cubic/dp/B000BTAQIG/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1375748590&sr=1-4&keywords=dehumidifier)

Looks like that might work...

[Shtexas]

That one works by heating the air. In hot florida I'm not sure how well it would work.
Dehumidifiers like this one I keep in my boats cabin work much better.
Danby Energy Star 30 Pint Dehumidifier DDR3011 (http://www.3gorillas.com/danby-energy-star-30-pint-dehumidifier-ddr3011.html?gclid=CIj52-HS57gCFUPl7AodgXcASg)
It has the ability to remove much more moisture.