View Full Version : What is it and how do I make it go away?
We have these brown spots that keep popping up all over the vinyl. Sundeck, seats everywhere. I have tried 303 and warm soapy water with a scrubber sponge to get rid of it. What is this stuff? Any ideas on what we can use to get rid of it? It gets wiped down after every use and gets 303'd too. Help please.
BrianM
06-16-2005, 02:00 PM
Don't know what it is. Tree sap from around your launch or yard when the boat is uncovered? Mold? Try a Magic Eraser they work for most things and are not overly harsh.
jkski
06-16-2005, 02:02 PM
Is your boat sitting under any type of tree that could be dropping something on it?
If not, it could be a mold spot that hasn't been killed. Try taking some Fantastik and a medium bristle scrub brush to it, then wipe it off with warm water and 303 it.
Nope, not under any trees. When it is not in use it is covered. But you what I just remembered? It was at the shop for the 20 hour service a week and a half ago. They have trees. It was supposed to be covered when not being worked on. Hmmm.
Will try a magic eraser and the fantastik. What about 409? Will that hurt it?
Tom023
06-16-2005, 02:16 PM
I think 409 is on MC's list of no-no's. I would stay away from any cleaner with bleach because it can harm the stitching. A vinyl cleaner, may work best.
It is like the vinyl is changing colors in spots. A discoloration. There is nothing that you can pick off or scrub off. It is in the vinyl. Does that make sense?
Begin thread jack :)
Tom023, who's face is that on your avatar?
Johnny Knoxville from Jackass?
End thread jack. :)
BrianM
06-16-2005, 02:24 PM
409 is a no-no.:noface: Fantastik is an approved cleaner and it works really well on things that just plain soapy water won't work on. Magic Eraser for little hard to clean spots.
rodltg2
06-16-2005, 02:47 PM
i would try the mildew stain remover, it takes everything off!
AIRCANX09
06-16-2005, 02:49 PM
I noticed the same spot on my 2003 x-9, in bow seating. I thougght some carnuba wax was spilled on. Have n't tried to get off yet, but would most likely try either Fantastic or Tide/H20 solution. Magic eraser, I think, contains bleach and a mild abrasive. And, although I have acess to enormous amounts of penicillin, they are not too effective topically.
ski_king
06-16-2005, 02:56 PM
Could sun screen lotion have caused the spot?
rem_pss308
06-16-2005, 03:06 PM
X2momma: I cant tell from the picture but it looks like a problem that I have from time to time. I beleive it is mold. Mine has a coule of spots that show when there is a lot of rain. I store mine under a carport. So the air is still damp.
I use straight bleach on a washcloth, and wipre just the area of the spot. I let it sit for about ten minutes, and then wipe it with a cloth with just water. then put on the usual protectant.
Make sure you dont get the bleach on any threads, it will make them weak.
mitch
06-16-2005, 03:34 PM
I believe sunscreen turns it pink. I use this stuff form G&T Vinyl. Pricey, but works great.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/veadastore/cleaning1.html
jimmer2880
06-16-2005, 03:39 PM
I have a bunch that start out Black, but end up looking like yours. I believe their either somekind of insect egg, or insect poop. My hood gets them all the time. I need to buff my hood to get them out. So far - I haven't had any on my vinyl.
Granite_33
06-16-2005, 03:42 PM
Is it easy to remove? Or do you have to really scrub?
I notice sometimes that if something clear and sugary, (sprite, 7up, Gin& tonic) splashes onto my seats, then dries, it turns sticky and attracts dirt.
Easy to clean, but you don't know its there until the dirt arrives..
jimmer2880
06-16-2005, 03:44 PM
Is it easy to remove? Or do you have to really scrub?
I notice sometimes that if something clear and sugary, (sprite, 7up, Gin& tonic) splashes onto my seats, then dries, it turns sticky and attracts dirt.
Easy to clean, but you don't know its there until the dirt arrives..
If you're asking me, no way. It doesn't get much harder to get off than this stuff. It's nothing you can feel - only see. Like the gelcoat has been impregnated with this stuff. I'm very glad I have a closed bow!
Granite_33
06-16-2005, 03:47 PM
If you're asking me, no way. It doesn't get much harder to get off than this stuff. It's nothing you can feel - only see. Like the gelcoat has been impregnated with this stuff. I'm very glad I have a closed bow!
It was a general question, but I get your point. :D
We use 3M Marine Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer. It works well. Cleans and UV protects vinyl without making it too slippery. Other cleaners such as 409, Fantastic etc will dry your vinyl and will cause premature aging or cracks. As far as the spots it is hard to make from the photo but I believe they are spider/fly/bug p@@p.:D
Good Luck
Memo
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?yyyyyygeqJMySazyLazyyyIqYJAYYYY X-
Thanks guys!! :) You have given me some great ideas to try. Hope they work. If I use anything with bleach in it and rinse well after it should be ok? Just don't get it on the stitching. I let you know how it works out.
Rem-pss308 - We do store the boat outside during the summer, but not under a carport or trees. Plenty of ventilation and low humidity in the air.
Memo & Jimmer - I think you may have something about the bugs. In the last couple of weeks there have been these little black spiders EVERYWHERE outside and all over the boat too. That could be the cause right there.
Pennicillin
What's up with that? Will it work or are you just messing with me? :)
chico
06-16-2005, 04:48 PM
that looks lijke the spots i used to get on my boat.found out it was from apoplar tree
next door.only thing i could get it off with was thinners on the tip of a rag.
What's up with that? Will it work or are you just messing with me? :)
it will only work if taken by the exhaust pipe.
;)
peason
06-16-2005, 04:52 PM
I agree, I think what you have is spider droppings. My father-in-law used to have a 38 ft. Carver docked on the river under a canopy and he constantly had spider poop all over the boat, until he got the marina to spray for insects. They look like little round black dots. I also get this staining on my vinyl siding on the house.
According to my neighbors kid, you are never more than 3 ft. away from a spider at eny given point! - from one of those kid's fact books. :dance:
RedStar
06-16-2005, 05:24 PM
Spider dung, eh?
No wonder Little Miss Muffet bolted.
I agree, I think what you have is spider droppings. My father-in-law used to have a 38 ft. Carver docked on the river under a canopy and he constantly had spider poop all over the boat, until he got the marina to spray for insects. They look like little round black dots. I also get this staining on my vinyl siding on the house.
According to my neighbors kid, you are never more than 3 ft. away from a spider at eny given point! - from one of those kid's fact books. :dance:
the human head weighs eight pounds
Ok, I tried both the Magic Eraser and the Fantastik. Neither worked. :( Where can I get that 3M stuff? Do I have to order it online? Anything else besides bleach and thinners? I'm stumped. :confused:
LakePirate
06-17-2005, 03:56 PM
Wally world might have it, I know they do carry some of the 3m products. If you have a boater's world or West Marine around they should have it. You might need to get a stiff bristled brush to scrub it a bit with the 3M cleaner.
West Marine Boater's World or any good marine store should have it.
West Matine Add:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=34&subdeptNum=11201&storeNum=4&productId=8956
Good Luck!
Memo
So far I have tried Magic Eraser, Fantastik, Soft Scrub, regular dish soap and the 3M cleaner. :noface: Nothing worked. This stuff is in the vinyl and I doubt anything but bleach will work. But if I use the bleach won't I have spots on the vinyl that are lighter that the rest? Which will be worse the little brown spots or bigger white ones. It all just makes me want to cry. :cry:
JEREMY79
06-26-2005, 03:40 PM
the human head weighs eight pounds
You CAN NOT lick the point on your elbow
aprgriggs
06-26-2005, 05:14 PM
So far I have tried Magic Eraser, Fantastik, Soft Scrub, regular dish soap and the 3M cleaner. :noface: Nothing worked. This stuff is in the vinyl and I doubt anything but bleach will work. But if I use the bleach won't I have spots on the vinyl that are lighter that the rest? Which will be worse the little brown spots or bigger white ones. It all just makes me want to cry. :cry:
Try Tide with bleach with lots of water however becareful...I used this on my X10 to remove some oil spots and it can right out. You will have to play with the mixture to get it just right.
After you get the spot out use a good vinyl conditioner and sealer.
Good Luck
lakes Rick
06-26-2005, 05:47 PM
You might try TSP.. Tri Sodium Phosphate.. Powerful soap ..
You might try TSP.. Tri Sodium Phosphate.. Powerful soap ..
Is that stuff green? Same stuff you use to wipe down your walls before you paint? I think I have some of that around here. Is it bad for the vinyl?
Try Tide with bleach with lots of water however becareful...I used this on my X10 to remove some oil spots and it can right out. You will have to play with the mixture to get it just right.
After you get the spot out use a good vinyl conditioner and sealer.
Good Luck
I will try that too. Thanks for the idea. Did you scrub with a rag or a scrubber sponge?
I tried the TSP. Didn't work. :( Also tried the Tide w/ bleach. Didn't work either. But with the Tide it is possible that I did not use enough. (I was trying to be careful) So that one still might work I guess. Any other suggestions out there? Please?
Hoosier Bob
06-26-2005, 10:40 PM
Could this be iron? It almost looks in the pics like iron. Fertilizer on shoes or small pieces of iron on shoes? Maybe a cleaner that removes rust or iron deposits would work. Around Indy alot of people use Iron to fertilize their lawns. I could be wrong but the pics look more like rust that mold.
Good luck!
Workin' 4 Toys
07-10-2005, 10:26 AM
I tried the TSP. Didn't work. :( Also tried the Tide w/ bleach. Didn't work either. But with the Tide it is possible that I did not use enough. (I was trying to be careful) So that one still might work I guess. Any other suggestions out there? Please?
Did yiou ever get this stain out, if so what worked?
bigmac
07-10-2005, 10:59 AM
So far I have tried Magic Eraser, Fantastik, Soft Scrub, regular dish soap and the 3M cleaner. :noface: Nothing worked. This stuff is in the vinyl and I doubt anything but bleach will work. But if I use the bleach won't I have spots on the vinyl that are lighter that the rest? Which will be worse the little brown spots or bigger white ones. It all just makes me want to cry. :cry:
Mastercraft, in their owner's manual (at least my 2004) has a section on "pink stains" along with a rather elaborate table of vinyl cleaning methods. This "pink stain " issue is apparently not an uncommon problem. They say that these stains are caused by a bacteria in the air, identified by Burlington Scientific Corporation as Streptoverticillium reticulum as well as other airborne bacteria, and that the only cure is prevention - cleaning so that these bacteria don't find anything on the vinyl as a food host. I had this happen on the white sundeck of a previous boat. I never could get it off, but it did fade quite a bit over a year or two.
These details should be in your owner's manual.
Mastercraft, in their owner's manual (at least my 2004) has a section on "pink stains" along with a rather elaborate table of vinyl cleaning methods.
I have read the owners manual. Tried their method of cleaning too. My spots are not pink. They are kind of a rust color. I have not yet found anything that will get them out. I have tried the following.
-Magic Eraser
-Fantastik
-Dish soap
-Soft scrub
-Tsp
-Tide w/ bleach detergent mixed with water
-3M vinyl cleaner
-Vinegar w/ water
-Clorox bathroom cleaner
-Straight bleach
The last two on the list were used with a Q-tip. I am still looking for something to work. I have one of those household steam cleaners. Scunzi I think. That it next on the list to try.
I know the importance of keeping my boat clean and using 303 to protect my vinyl. I am not new to boat ownership. This is my third (all MC's too! :D ) This one is new. It is not like it has been sitting around unloved for a couple of years. And I live in a low humidty area. At this point I don't really care what it is I guess. I just want it off my vinyl.
If anyone comes across some new product they think might work please let me know. Post it here, Email or PM. Thanks. :) :)
bigmac
07-10-2005, 02:00 PM
I have read the owners manual. Tried their method of cleaning too. My spots are not pink. They are kind of a rust color. I have not yet found anything that will get them out.
I didn't mean to imply that you weren't taking care of your boat. Those things have a lot of vinyl to clean and I question the practicality of brushing then scrubbing all of that vinyl after every use, as MasterCraft (or their lawyers) recommend in the owner's manual.
My experience with this problem on my other boat was the same as yours - a bunch of clustered reddish-brown stains that wouldn't come off with anything. I'd never seen anything like it in 20 years of boat ownership. They appeared out of nowhere, it seemed. I considered iron staining (my lake is on the Minnesota Iron Range), but that should come out with Rust-Off or similar products. In desperation, I even tried the acid that I used for the hull (being careful to keep all that stuff from the stitching) as well as all the bleach products I could get my hands on.
My guess would be that you've got the dreaded "pink stain" issue, even though the stains aren't classically pink in your case and I doubt you'll have any more luck with the stains than I did, although I hope you do. Look at this site (http://www.chemicalfabricsandfilm.com/pdfs_researchSection/techSupport/moldmarine.pdf) for a PDF that provides a little more information. I don't know if Mastercraft vinyl is treated with BioPruf (http://www.biopruf.com/applications.html) or similar, but I suspect so, as that seems to be pretty common in vinyl applications that are subject to water. Good luck.
Bigmac - Have you tried that BioPruf stuff? Is it used more to protect or clean?
I was not offended. I just wanted to clarify that I was not a total goober. :)
maha skier
07-10-2005, 02:24 PM
Hey there, I do not know what it is, but I have this stuff my detailers use to clean auto leather, it is not harsh and I can maybe get you some on Monday.....Let me know, Paul....
Hey there, I do not know what it is, but I have this stuff my detailers use to clean auto leather, it is not harsh and I can maybe get you some on Monday.....Let me know, Paul....
What is it? Does get stains out? ....that sounded kinda desprate :o .... I am willing to try just about anything at this point.
bigmac
07-10-2005, 02:32 PM
Bigmac - Have you tried that BioPruf stuff? Is it used more to protect or clean?
I was not offended. I just wanted to clarify that I was not a total goober. :)
I KNOW you're not a goober. It's frustrating trying to keep our $50,000 toys looking nice, and especially so when some wierd stains pop up out of nowhere despite meticulous maintenance.
Biopruf is something that is available to vinyl manufacturers to throw into the mix when then create the vinyl. It, or some compound like it, is pretty commonly used in flexible plastic compounding.
I think most of the non-silicone based vinyl cleaners have some kind of antimicrobial protectant.
.
maha skier
07-10-2005, 02:36 PM
What is it? Does get stains out? ....that sounded kinda desprate :o .... I am willing to try just about anything at this point.
It is called remove all and I use it on everything, I have been using it for about 10 years....It is only used commercially.. I will talk to my guys tomorrow and get some for you if you want to try it...
I KNOW you're not a goober. It's frustrating trying to keep our $50,000 toys looking nice, and especially so when some wierd stains pop up out of nowhere despite meticulous maintenance.
Biopruf is something that is available to vinyl manufacturers to throw into the mix when then create the vinyl. It, or some compound like it, is pretty commonly used in flexible plastic compounding.
I think most of the non-silicone based vinyl cleaners have some kind of antimicrobial protectant.
.
Yes I am goober this morning. :) I read the info on that stuff and didn't get it. I can blame it on lack of sleep I think.
Thanks for the info. The boat will going to the shop sometime soon. I will pick their minds a bit then too.
It is called remove all and I use it on everything, I have been using it for about 10 years....It is only used commercially.. I will talk to my guys tomorrow and get some for you if you want to try it...
Thank you!!
Did you ever get this solved? I have what sounds like the exact same problem! it is driving me crazy I have tried everything, it is on a new x-25.
Thanks