Cleaning and detailing a bowrider...advice on cleaning and preserving?

[ianbword]

This stingray has been shrunk-wrap for almost 3 years but it still has some mildew or mold on it. Im bringing it back to life this year.

The hull itself has some mold or mildew on it, I was wondering what would be the best solution for removing and keeping it in good shape going forward? Ive read straight up grocery store bleach would work but figured id ask you guys.

The seats and vinyl have the same stuff as well. Wanted to do the same **** get the mold or whatever it is off the seats as much as possible then attempt to preserve them.It has 4 fairly new seats I want to keep in good shape and then the bow rider seats are so so but would love to keep alive for as long as possible. The one rear seat and doghouse vinyl are pretty much dried out and gone.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Bathroom cleaner with bleach for the seate. Toilet bowl cleaner with bleach for the hull

 

[ianbword]

Bathroom cleaner with bleach for the seate. Toilet bowl cleaner with bleach for the hull

Damn thats it lol, seems too easy. Is there any waxing or sealant that should be done on the hull and seats?

 

[Lightwin 3]

Damn thats it lol, seems too easy. Is there any waxing or sealant that should be done on the hull and seats?

Depending on how much mold you have, the before mentioned products will work but know that bleach does not necessarily kill ALL the mold, it may return. The key is to get it off and do not allow moisure and air to return to the surface for regrowth.

That's what leads to your second question:

Lots of boat wax products out there in addition to vinyl conditioners and preservatives. Lots of choices.

I don't have one brand preference over another but usually end up with StarBrite products.

 

[Scott Danforth]

303 protectant on the seats once you get them clean
wax is always good. I use good old turtle wax from the dollar store.

I also use sno-bowl toilet cleaner from the dollar store

 

[jimmbo]

Sodium Hypochlorite(bleach) mixed with some toilet bowl cleaners will produce Chlorine Gas. It is a lovely shade of green, but you will probably be dead before you could see it

 

[Keyboardman]

Toilet bowl cleaner works great but, will stain a Galvanized trailer. Nice white streaks.

 

[Lightwin 3]

I hope you get er"cleaned up. BUT, don't forget the mechanicals.

A three year sleep opens up all kinds of new issues.

 

[superbenk]

Mary Kate On and Off is great for cleaning the hull but it is STRONG so be sure to have lots of ventilation & don’t get it on your skin! It’ll also etch stainless so be careful about that.

You’ll want to wax after using hull cleaner. I bought McGuire’s boat wax because I like their auto products but not sure how much it matters. I was happy with the McGuire’s. I wax in the spring & then try again once more during the summer but don’t always get to it.

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work great for stubborn spots throughout the boat but it’s mildly abrasive so be careful using it too much on vinyl. I used them for an initial tough cleaning then just use 303 regularly to keep them clean & protected. 303 works great on hard plastic inside the boat too.

StarBrite makes a non-slip surface cleaner that works really well when applied with a soft-bristle brush & rinsed off with some water pressure (not necessarily power washer, but that helps).

Be careful with the power washer as it will rip decals/striping & probably damage vinyl if you get too close.

Stainless brightwork polishes up nicely nicely with some wax & buffing.

Windex (or even vinegar water mix) on windshields. Rain-X is useful too as it makes spray run off the windshield easier.

Waxing bilges once well cleaned makes makes it easier to keep them clean in the future. Depends how far you want to go.

Wax on button snaps (followed buy buffing) makes them work easier.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Just yesterday I cleaned all the vinyl in my StarCraft, I wet Mr. Clean Magic Erasers with Spray 9, interior looks new. The erasers weren't abrasive at all. Gave it all a spray and wipe with 303.

 

[superbenk]

They are abrasive & will damage the surface of your vinyl if used too much. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine_foam

 

[ianbword]

I hope you get er"cleaned up. BUT, don't forget the mechanicals.

A three year sleep opens up all kinds of new issues.

Oh for sure mechanical is priority #1. I'm just being optimistic I get it squared away quickly. Don't plan on detailing it until its all situated first. Waiting on fuel pump and more than likely will get the carb rebuilt for good measure. After its running im doing a outdrive impeller and oil change on the engine and lower unit.

 

[jkust]

Holy buckets, that is an amazing amount of mold and mildew. Did that get put away wet? My thinking here is that those seats can't take really harsh bleach cleaners very well. Ultimately, it may be so bad that you are forced to use them but I would start off with Marine Spray Nine which is a disinfectant that works good. If that is not cutting it, then I'd start to think about some of the harsher bleach cleaners and the Magic Erasers as well. Magic Eraser works too well so if you get overly zealous on a spot it can be whiter than the surrounding areas but again, this boat is not a newer boat with one unfortunate spot but an entire boat needing attention so some of the rules get tossed out the window.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

I'd advise you to be very careful with the bleach. I used it on my Supra... really brightened it up... until all the threads in the seams popped and the whole interior came apart. Believe it or not Easy Off oven cleaner is an amazing vinyl cleaner! Make sure to do it out of the sunlight and do small sections at a time so you can get it off quickly. Take care to not get it on you. You'll love the results - the whites were spotless and it also brightened the blues to new shape. It saved me a complete re-upholster job.
Once you get it clean use the 303 to seal it up.

 

[QBhoy]

Magic erasers are great...but literally abrasive. Be careful.
Not sure if you get them over there....but wonder wipes are incredible things....for pretty much everything. Originally sold as hand cleaner wipes in a dispensing tub...but they are amazing for everything on a boat.

 

[superbenk]

Magic Erasers are literally magic. This is a boat I restored awhile ago that looks like it was far worse than what you have. Came out looking nearly new. Had to replace the carpet, but all the vinyl, teak & brightwork restored beautifully.

 

[superbenk]

Here’s the results. Magic Erasers followed by 303 on the vinyl, cleaning wax (polish) on the gel coat & brightwork & light sanding followed by teak oil on the wood.

 

[ianbword]

Magic Erasers are literally magic. This is a boat I restored awhile ago that looks like it was far worse than what you have. Came out looking nearly new. Had to replace the carpet, but all the vinyl, teak & brightwork restored beautifully.

What a huge difference!!!!! You used the magic eraser with what cleaning product?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

You just wet them in water as directed. I wet them with Spray 9.

 

[roffey]

Magic erasers take off the dirt and mildew however they work as an abrasive, that's why it works. Because it is abrasive it will damage the seat and more specifically the stitching, works great on hulls. Use your best judgement here and don't use on a regular bases maybe.

At the end of the day use what ever works.