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Cleaning Pop-Top Cover

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dante
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/25/2004 : 10:24:08

I would like to clean the pop-top (Winter?), cover on my '83 Catalina 25. The white vinyl outside/topside is in great shape, but the canvas/cloth underside is mold-spotted in places.

Can I put this cover in the front-loading "commercial" washing machine at the laundromat? And if so what detergent is best?

Or do I lay the thing out upside down and spray it with Tilex or a similar product, and hose it off?

I do not want to damge the "windows" or the white vinyl topside whatever I do.

Thanks,

D

Edited by - on

Chris Reyher
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2004 : 16:20:56

I think I would attempt the least agressive solution first by using mild soap and water and a soft brush. Do a "trial area" first before attacking the whole thing. If the spots are still there you might try adding a <font color="red">little bit</font id="red"> of Clorox bleach, That will discourage the mildew and help bleach out the stain.I would suggest doing it outside on a sunny warm day and rinsing thoroughly. Putting it in a washing machine may do damage to both cover and machine! Tilex works great in my shower, but not sure how it would react to the vinyl.
Good luck!

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2004 : 19:24:28

Chlorine bleach is the only agent I have ever found that really kills mildew, but it's death on fabrics and stitching, too. Try scrubbing the mildew spots with a mild detergent and bleach solution and soft bristle brush, and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Try to keep the bleach away from the seams as it will slowly degrade the stitching thread over time. To prevent mildew on vinyl upholstery fabric like the pop-top cover, the number one consideration is to <b>KEEP IT DRY</b>. There are two basic things to do to keep a pop-top cover in good shape: 1. Never fold it up and put it back in it's storage bag unless you are certain it is bone dry on both sides. 2. Take it off the boat and store it at home somewhere during the winter (or whenever the boat will be unused and unvisited for an extended period). Once a year, it should be spread out and scrubbed well with clean soapy water to remove all dirt. Do this in mid-summer, and in full sun. so it will dry out quickly before you put it away.

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2004 : 00:35:02

I wonder if "Oxy-Clean" would work on those pesky mildew stains?

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.