AHHHHHH!
I spent hours researching this and found out this
The Pink Stain Phenomenon
A message from one of our manufacturers
“To prevent replacing your upholstery, we recommend the following: Regular washing with
mild detergent and warm water or vinyl cleaners is sufficient to keep the cushion and vinyl
coverings in good condition. Keep the cushion from becoming soaked, and dry thoroughly after
washing to prevent mildew accumulations when the boat is covered. Prop up the cushions in the
boat when it is covered to take advantage of air circulation. Spray with a mildew repellent.
While your vinyl is made to withstand the elements, it is important to care for it by keeping it
clean at all times. Many substances may stain your vinyl if left untouched over a period of time.
Remember to remove any contaminant and clean vinyl immediately. Our vinyls are made to
withstand the effects of sun, heat, acid rain and soiling, under normal conditions.
Please consult the following cleaning recommendations before cleaning your upholstery:
Certain household cleaners, powdered abrasives, steel wool, and industrial cleaners can cause
damage and discoloration. These are not recommended for use. Dry cleaning fluids and lacquer
solvents should not be used as they will remove the printed pattern and gloss. Waxes are not
recommended because many contain dyes and solvents that can permanently damage the
protective coating. In some instances, consumers have reported the appearance of a pink stain
on vinyl that is resistant to various cleaning methods. Our lab tests indicate that the pink stain
has been present in the past, but it becomes more visible to the naked eye whenever the
whitest-white vinyls are used. This is true regardless of manufacturer or vendor.
Our company has chosen a white that reduces the appearance of the pink stain but retains as
much of the lightest white we can use. Although there can be other causes for pink staining in
vinyls, most pink stains are caused by dyes produced by micro-organisms. These dyes are
metabolic products of the micro-organisms, otherwise known as a form of fungi. It is virtually
impossible for consumers to avoid these micro-organisms as they exist in the atmosphere. It is
also more prevalent in high-humidity areas. Rain can cleanse the air with the result that the
micro-organisms are deposited on items such as marine vinyl. While the vinyl is treated to resist
the growth of micro-organisms meaning the vinyl is not a food source), the stain results from
failure to properly clean and maintain the vinyl. This means that after use, the upholstery must
be cleaned with a soft brush and warm soapy water, followed by a thorough rinse with clean
water. If this procedure is not followed, the micro-organisms can find the marine vinyl to be a
suitable host site. This situation is worsened if the boat is stored without proper ventilation or if
the boat cover is put on while the vinyl is still wet, creating a situation in which all forms of fungi
(mold and mildew) thrive. The organism causing the pink stain has been identified by the
Burlington Scientific Corporation as Streptoverticillium reticulum, although there are other
strains of organisms that can cause stains.
Failure to follow these instructions in the proper care of upholstery can cause your warranty to
be voided! The cleaning table presented in this frequently asked question section is offered only
as a suggestion and as an aid in attempting to deal with stains. We cannot guarantee that the
cleaning methods will work. Stains from any external source are unlikely to be covered by
warranty.â€
The only cleaner or product that claims to be able to remove this stuff is a new product http://www.pink-away.com
I emailed the guy last night and got this response:
Hi Todd,
Oh my, I've never seen it so wide spread before. You must have been seriously disappointed! But the good news is I think our product can help.
Btw: We would really appreciate some "after" pictures.
How high is the humidity? You want to rent/borrow/buy a dehumidifier while treating the vinyl (or maybe all the time). Lower humidity will help kill the bacteria and allow our product to work better.
That vinyl looks like same we had on our boat. Which did have some general stain like that and some nasty spots too.
Be sure to test on an inconspicuous spot first, over night with a heavy dab of product to make sure it's compatible with your vinyl.
If you have any spare strips of vinyl that are stained, I'd love to get a sample. I could trade you some product for them... Meanwhile...
I'd suggest you get a 4oz bottle and treat one seat and couple trim pieces completely. Then move on to the others. You don't want to run out and stop treatment before the stains are gone.
You will probably need more cleaner, although a little goes a long ways...
Note, some UV light will help wipe out the last vestiges of stains at the end. Our product can keep removing stains for sometime after the stains appear to be gone.
You can expect between 3 and 10 or more treatments depending on a lot of factors.
Place an order and we will ship it right away. Sorry but we are out of samples and test kits. We have 2oz and 4oz bottles right now.
Fill free to call us at the number below.
Thanks!
My problem is a 4oz bottle cost $58.95 and only does 4sqft! I'll end up spending more on cleaner than I did on the vinyl.
As a last ditch "long shot " attempt I pulled the dinette base and sprayed one corner with tilex mildew remover, another with amazon mildew remover (non chlorine) another with spray 9 (germ/bacteria killer) and another area with a mold killer I got at home depot. sprayed before I left for the evening and didnt wipe off. will check and probably cry tomorrow! here are a few pics. its a consistent pink over the entire area. Oddly the vinyl was not pink under the washers and where the seat back was screwed in tight against wood, you can actually see the line.
Any Suggestions????
