restore vinyl boat fenders emdeded mildew stains

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by sdowney717, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    I cleaned off the white vinyl large fenders that were blackened with some serious mildew.
    I used 30% bleach in a bucket and a toothbrush soak and scrub. All the mildew is gone but there is a lot of staining still on the surface. I was thinking of some kind of rubbing compound? It would have to be strong and coarse to to do that.

    Or some people say use acetone to dissolve off the surface and expose a fresh vinyl layer.

    Anyone ever successfully restored appearance of really dirty fenders?
    Wet sanding?

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    sdowney717, Jun 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Diplomat
    Joined: Jun 2011
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    Location: Norway

    Diplomat New Member

    Cover them up with "fender socks"! They hide your worn fenders, but the main advantage: You avoid the squeaking sound against your hull and have a better sleep at night.

    http://www.yachtchandlers.co.uk/acatalog/info_PL57247a.html
    (Shop for prices/types, this was just a random Google hit...)
     
    Diplomat, Jun 16, 2011
    #2
  3. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    New ones are not all that expensive but I will ask the missus what she uses. --its not my job.
     
    Frosty, Jun 16, 2011
    #3
  4. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,175
    Likes: 85, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    that stain is tough. I tried some turtle wax rubbing compound, the orange color, and it did not a thing.
    I wonder how mildew gets into the structure of what you would think is fairly impervious.
     
    sdowney717, Jun 17, 2011
    #4
  5. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
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    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    acetone....melt the UV burnt rubber off the fender, then in future shield your fenders from the sun with fender socks
     
    michael pierzga, Jun 20, 2011
    #5
    1 person likes this.

  7. cthippo
    Joined: Sep 2010
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    Location: Bellingham WA

    cthippo Senior Member

    No, your job is to get her a sammich :p
     
    cthippo, Jun 21, 2011
    #6
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