Mildew on Dinghy

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I have a four year old Caribe inflatable. The top side of the tubes have developed gray spots which I assume is mildew. I have tried everything that I know of, including bleach, to remove the spots. Nothing has worked.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
If indeed it's mildew; bleach at a 50/50 concentration will eliminate it. If it doesn't disappear it's not mildew.
 
My boat sat unused for 5 years (on a trailer) and there was some spots of mildew. Last year I finally got her out of mothballs. I cleaned the seats but ther were some small stains. Halfway thru this season I finally noticed they were gone. I did not do anything. I believe that using the boat and having it out in the sun took care of it. The seats look like they did 16 yeas ago.
 
My boat sat unused for 5 years (on a trailer) and there was some spots of mildew. Last year I finally got her out of mothballs. I cleaned the seats but ther were some small stains. Halfway thru this season I finally noticed they were gone. I did not do anything. I believe that using the boat and having it out in the sun took care of it. The seats look like they did 16 yeas ago.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mandm1200

My boat sat unused for 5 years (on a trailer) and there was some spots of mildew. Last year I finally got her out of mothballs. I cleaned the seats but ther were some small stains. Halfway thru this season I finally noticed they were gone. I did not do anything. I believe that using the boat and having it out in the sun took care of it. The seats look like they did 16 yeas ago.

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Sunlight will often bleach away stains. Best to clean up as much as possible first. Chlorine bleach is hard on the stitching used to hold the vinyl together so if you use it, be sure to rinse well. Or stay away from the stitching.
 
I use Marykate Spray Away to clean my dinghy once or twice a season and it works great. However, I'm told it is harsh on the fabric and I rinse very thoughly to make sure it is all off.
 
Hello everyone. If the boat is pvc use a checmical called M.E.K and if it is Hypalon use a chemical called Toluol. They are VERY strong chemicals but are safe on those fabrics in moderation. Don't use them excessively, just enough to get the heavy stains out. If you don't want to go that route then use Marine Spray Nine. I fix inflatables for a living so feel free to ask any questions, always happy to help when I can.
 
Anytime. If you have any other questions feel free to message me or post it on here.
 
MEK & THF will dissolve PVC. That's a fact !
 
This may not help but the usual products to clean fenders including Soft Scrub w/bleach and brushes did not work to clean mildew/mold -like discoloration as well as green weed imbedded in scratches off a couple large polyballs, but a wet MR. Clean Magic Eraser made semi-short work of it with a little patience. It might be worth a careful try, remembering the "Eraser" is mildly abrasive.
 
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