Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

[ahyatt]

Hey everyone..I just bought a 1973 Charger fiberglass boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...it's been sitting there through multiple hurricanes and has never been covered up...needless to say there's a bunch of dirt, mold, and mildew sitting inside and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions (cheaper the better) to cleaning up the inside so I can see the white floor again? Are there any cleaners or combination of cleaners that work the best?<br /><br />thanks!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

I imagine cleaning it is the least of your problems. All that weather probably rotted out all the stringers.

 

[Gone]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

Search is your friend!

 

[ahyatt]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

there is some rot under the driver's seat, but hat that it's pretty sound structure wise...I couldn't believe it...will do a search

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

Ditto on the rot, if there is some under the driver's seat, there is probably more hidden under the floor. <br /><br />As for the cleaning, start off with a bunch of bleach, that will remove a lot of the black crap. I use an oxidizing powder with a stiff brush for brightening up. Rust stains and some of the other toughies will come out with some CAREFULLY used muriatic acid. You will need lots of elbow grease as well. <br /><br />I would not recommend mixing all of these cleaners, it may explode or cause you to grow a thumb out of your neck or something! <br /><br />You really need to check for rot!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

use a high pressure spray cleaner and then scrub the rest with sugar soap ...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

i have found Formula 88 to be a great around cleaner. auto parts stores.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

After you get it cleaned up, you will know why our 19'er is named "Elbow Grease). Simple green works well. Starbrit makes a vinyl cleaner that I've had good luck with. We had to clean up a year or two worth of pine droppings....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

The first thing you need to do is fill a pump sprayer with a 50/50 solution of water and bleach and spray it everywhere .You have to get the organic stains and growths killed dead before you do any scrubbing .You may have to leave it for 10-15 minutes to kill it.It will really brighten up from there.It will also allow any wood to eventually dry out that is water logged.The mildew and growth will keep the wood damp forever until you kill it.

 

[magster65]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

I'm with crazy charlie, the bleach solution works great.

 

[Animal223]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

For the vinyl and other textured surfaces, I've had great luck with the Mr. Clean magic erasers. May not work so good on mildew, but for the dirt and general grunge on the vinyl, they work wonders. Also keeps from having to get bleach on the upholstry threads.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Bought a boat that's been sitting under a tree for 2 years...cleaning help!

for white fiberglass i had great luck with spray nine.my boat also lived uner a tree and spay nine did wonders.