How to Clean Moldy Sunbrella?

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David M

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My canvas is a mess. Saint Max is berthed near a Vulcan Materials (concrete and stone aggregate) plant. The prevailing breeze takes whatever gets blown into the air during Vulcan's production run and drops it at the marina. Over the course of the winter, it has left little marks all over the sunbrella and eisenglass. The marks look almost like ash.

Two winters ago was very wet and I had this problem last spring. Last winter was very wet and the problem has resurfaced. I am assuming this is mold of some sort. I did no exterior cleaning over the winter knowing I had a large cleaning job to do in the spring. However, after 2 years of the same problem, I am worried about the effect this is having on the materials that make up the enclosure.

If this is mold, what is the best way to kill it without destroying the material. I have been told mold is IN v. ON the sunbrella and eisenglass.

As always, any and all input welcome.

TIA
 
I've used OxyClean on my current Sunbrella, and then retreated it with some sort of camping waterproofer spray on stuff (I can't remember the name). I do it every year, and the canvas looks pretty good. Now on my last boat (that I bought used), the canvas was quite "ashy", and I tried just about everything, to no avail.
 
Kida,

Take a look at the Sunbrella site. They have a FAQ section that identifies a mixture of bleach to water for cleaning. My Regal sits near trees and is gets dirtier than I like it by the end of the season. Each year I remove all the canvas, take it home, give it a good cleaning with the Sunbrella mixture and then re-apply a spray of the 303 waterproofing. Canvas looks like new again.

Scott
 
the company that makes black streak remover in the yellow and black bottle wt worst marine make a mold and mildew remover that I used this year and it worked amazingly well
 
The Sunbrella site gives you a mixture of bleach and mild soap for taking care of mold and stains...I have used this solution twice now with excellent results...Be sure to protect your top with 303 UV Waterproofing after a strong cleaning...

Mold will not grow on the canvas...it grows on the dirt on the canvas...
 
In Pittsburgh, CA, there is a plant which spews out dirty residue and all the boats at one or two nearby marinas get dirty. Boaters sued and now each year, the plant pays to have every boat in the affected marinas detailed.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

In Pittsburgh, CA, there is a plant which spews out dirty residue and all the boats at one or two nearby marinas get dirty. Boaters sued and now each year, the plant pays to have every boat in the affected marinas detailed.

Click to expand...


HHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMM.....weather travels west to east.....Maybe....just maybe..........HHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM......
 
Go to HD - get ZEP heavy duty mildew remover. Its in a gray squirt bottle. Spray on, wipe with green side (rough) of dish sponge, rinse. Dont let it stay on too long and stay away from the threads.
It works very well
 
I would take the canvas down take it to the laundermat. Put it in a jumbo washer using woolite. Let it dry and apply waterproofing using a roller or a lawn sprayer. I do this every year and my canvas looks new.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brian

I would take the canvas down take it to the laundermat. Put it in a jumbo washer using woolite. Let it dry and apply waterproofing using a roller or a lawn sprayer. I do this every year and my canvas looks new.

Click to expand...


Did that on the Regal and it worked well. Problem now is the eisenglas in the enclosure is not removable.
 
Laundry works great with woolite. Do not let it dry, though. put it on the boat, and let it dry in place. you can buy 303 fabric protectant in spray quarts. spray the waterproofing on in place.
 
First of all only use a mild soap on sunbrella, woolite or ivory works best. I use a bar of ivory soap, and a cheese grater. If you have subborn stains or heavy mold/mildew add bleach to the water.

Here is what I do.

take the canvas off the boat lay it flat.
A bucket of warm water, about 1/4 bar of ivory soap shredded into the water, one cup of bleach per gallon of water.
A soft or medium brush, on my boat pole.
Wet the canvas with the hose
Scrub the entire canvas, if you have pockets for poles, zipper flaps etc, make sure you scrub bioth sides and under the flaps, this is where the mopld likes to hide.
let it sit for about 10 minutes
rinse, rinse, rinse
and did I say rinse it.
Flip the canvas over and do the second side.
Let the canvas Air dry, NEVER use heat.

When the canavs is dry apply waterproofing, make sure you use a Fluorocarbon based waterproofing spray such as 3M High Tech Fabric Guard.
I put two coats of the waterproofing on it.

I do this every fall.

Another suggestion I have is to shrink wrap your boat, It is well worth the money, I do not think you have snow and ice to worry about, but it sure does keep the boat nice and clean.
 
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