Boat seat care?

[liebs]

Our pontoon seats get a yearly build up of a black substance, not sure what it is. We are able to get most of it off by using Soft Scrub with a scrub brush and sponge. The pontoon is tied to the dock and covered during the summer except when in use. The cover does have 3 built in vents. Is this normal? What do other people use to clean the seats? Do you also use a protectant afterward? The seats in our fishing boat are also in need of a cleaning. That is stored in a covered lift with no cover on the boat.

One other question about seats. We have a bench seat that is starting to split at the seam. This is on the arm rest so we'd have to remove the whole "L" shaped bench if we were to bring it in. Is there some sort of tape that anyone has had luck with?

[BoxMN]

We use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It is cheaper at some places than others of course, but some really expensive and some places have it decent price.

Sounds to me like you are not getting decent ventilation. I cover my toon during week, but I do leave the rear and side door open so there is really GOOD air flow. I also have 5 of the plastic vents in mine.

Toon is still fairly new going on third summer, but no black stuff yet.

Good luck.

[MuskieJunkie]

I like the 303 also, if it's mold or mildew I use Starbrite Mold and Mildew cleaner. Be very careful with abrasive, they will remove the protective coating on the vinyl. Lots of people say Magic eraser, do not use that unless it's a last resort.

For the tape question, west marine sells a clear one that's made for that, I think it's called band aid something. it works well.

[liebs]

Thanks for the tips guys. I ordered some of the 303 cleaner and protectant as well as some vinyl repair tape. The 303 gets excellent reviews online. I can't wait to give it a try.

We had 3 new vents put in the pontoon cover last year. I'd worry about birds flying in if I left the doors open. I could probably rig up a mesh panel to insert in doorway and then leave it open.

[Whoaru99]

If the guys say 303 is the dope it probably is.

That said, over the weekend I looked high and low for some vinyl cleaner to clean up fairly heavy mildew on my boat seats. Finally found something that sounded promising, a bottle of vinyl top cleaner and protectant (Surf City Garage brand).

Used it after work today. I had my doubt about them cleaning up but man, they look pretty darn good now!!

Wish I'd have taken some before and after pictures. I was pretty impressed with the stuff.