Pink stains on white vinyl - a solution!

[citygent111]

Went down the marina in early October to empty the boat for winter, and there was pink patches all over the seat vinyl.

Research showed it is highly likely to be caused by streptoverticillium reticulum in the foam, which gives off a pink "dye".

Solutions suggested ranged from "needs reupholstering nothing can solve it", to "bleach!"

There's a creme you can buy in the USA specifically for it, but I wasn't spending £60+postage.

Didn't want to use bleach, and DEFINITELY didn't want to reupholster, so one suggestion was to buy Sodium Hypochlorite - swimming pool chlorine.

Did some digging in our kitchen cupboards and found some HG Mould Spray - active ingredients being Sodium Hypochlorite.

Sprayed it on the offending area, left it a couple of hours, and bloody hell if it didn't work!

Hopefully these photo uploads work!

 

[VicS]

Didn't want to use bleach, and DEFINITELY didn't want to reupholster, so one suggestion was to buy Sodium Hypochlorite - swimming pool chlorine.

Did some digging in our kitchen cupboards and found some HG Mould Spray - active ingredients being Sodium Hypochlorite.

Sodium hypochlorite = bleach !

 

[thinwater]

Sodium hypochlorite = bleach !

.

We all took chemistry in school, but most did not think it was important and quickly forgot all of it. Ironically, it turns out that life consists of chemistry.

 

[Boater Sam]

Try hydrogen peroxide, it is a bleaching agent but not a sodium compound.

 

[Binnacle]

Perhaps use hydrogen peroxide with caution on the seating material.

If used at full strength or high concentration, hydrogen peroxide can weaken the fibres of the seating material.

Best to cut off a small sample of the seating from a hidden area, and test the hydrogen peroxide on it to see if it damages the seating.

 

[thinwater]

Perhaps use hydrogen peroxide with caution on the seating material.

If used at full strength or high concentration, hydrogen peroxide can weaken the fibres of the seating material.

Best to cut off a small sample of the seating from a hidden area, and test the hydrogen peroxide on it to see if it damages the seating.

Or use the more proven approach of Oxiclean. It is basically peroxide in a controlled dosage and release. Follow the instructions.

 

[citygent111]

Oxiclean - never saw that suggestion! Thanks

 

[justanothersailboat]

Not easy to get strong, unadulterated peroxide these days. So, while a good point, it's unlikely to be a problem.

 

[thinwater]

Oxiclean - never saw that suggestion! Thanks

Oxiclean contains percarbonate, which releases H2O2 when dissolved in water. Soak for several hours, by which time the H2O2 is gone. It penetrates more deeply than bleach, but is less harmful to fabrics. It is what professional sailing cleaning solutions use. But it is not for nylon or wool. It should be safe for any fabric you would leave out in the sun.

BTW, if the stain does not come out completely, don't panic, leave it in the sun for a day. Often the peroxide weakens the stain chemistry and the UV finishes it.

 

[Thistle]

Went down the marina in early October to empty the boat for winter, and there was pink patches all over the seat vinyl.

Research showed it is highly likely to be caused by streptoverticillium reticulum in the foam, which gives off a pink "dye".

Solutions suggested ranged from "needs reupholstering nothing can solve it", to "bleach!"

There's a creme you can buy in the USA specifically for it, but I wasn't spending £60+postage.

Didn't want to use bleach, and DEFINITELY didn't want to reupholster, so one suggestion was to buy Sodium Hypochlorite - swimming pool chlorine.

Did some digging in our kitchen cupboards and found some HG Mould Spray - active ingredients being Sodium Hypochlorite.

Sprayed it on the offending area, left it a couple of hours, and bloody hell if it didn't work!

Hopefully these photo uploads work!

Have a look at Pink Stain Damage on Vinyl Surfaces. Removal may not be possible.

Perhaps easiest to hide the staining by sitting on the seat?

 

[Ammonite]

Is it just me or was the whole point of the OPs post to say he's already fixed it...with HG Mould Spray, although they didn't realise at the time its basically bleach

.....and bloody hell if it didn't work

i.e. much to their surprise it did work

 

[Momac]

I have used bleach on pink stains but apply it only on the stained area. It has worked but not instantly.
This winter my seat cushions are in a dry environment.

 

[Thresher]

As a painter and decorator I was once confronted with a bathroom completely black with mould, ceiling, tiles etc. I bought variety of mould removing products and tested them to see which one would best shorten the job, I remember HG was one of the products. The £1 bottle of bleach was the winner.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Oxiclean - never saw that suggestion! Thanks

Amazon.co.uk

 

[citygent111]

Is it just me or was the whole point of the OPs post to say he's already fixed it...with HG Mould Spray, although they didn't realise at the time its basically bleach

.....and bloody hell if it didn't work

i.e. much to their surprise it did work

Yeah, with hindsight - it didn't. I'll just paint the buggers....

 

[citygent111]

Just a little update on this post, it appears the Mould Spray didn't get rid of the bacteria causing the staining as it has come back

Apart from that though, the vinyl is nice and white again!

I guess I'll try the tip I was given about using swimming pool chlorine as that is stronger than mould spray, and if that doesn't work I'll use vinyl spray paint.

 

[Ammonite]

Having removed the mould you need something with Benzalkonium chloride in it to stop it coming back, for at least at lot longer than the bleach based sprays. Dilute patio magic or similar should do it, although I'd try an experiment on an out of sight area first, just in case.

 

[citygent111]

Having removed the mould you need something with Benzalkonium chloride in it to stop it coming back, for at least at lot longer than the bleach based sprays. Dilute patio magic or similar should do it, although I'd try an experiment on an out of sight area first, just in case.

Thanks Ammonite - would I just pour it and let it soak through the vinyl (would it even soak through?) What dilution shoudl I use, and how long for? Thanks!

 

[Ammonite]

9:1 is good for general household use so I'd start with this and let it dry naturally as this is what stops the moulding returning. It shouldn't soak through unless the surface is damaged so just treat the shiny face working it well into the surface. If we ever get any sunshine I suspect the UV will also help. I have not had a problem with pink mould before (just black) so will be interested to know how you get on

 

[citygent111]

Here's an update 3 months later....

So - as far as I can tell, NOTHING is solving the pink staining. Mould Spray worked - until it didn't. I had a proper look at the Benz. Chlor. but as with all previous chemicals, it would just sit on the vinyl and not soak through in sufficient quantity/volume to reach the affected foam inside the cushion. Af

I considered having the seats recovered, but getting a quote seems to take an age, so I opted for dedicated vinyl spray paint, or more accurately - dye. TRG White Vinyl Dye Plastic Paint Aerosol 150ml or 400ml

This stuff is VERY good, the results are perfect, if not for one problem. I followed the rules, applying sparingly from the correct distance, and waited the appropriate time before applying a necessary 2nd coat. However - I suspect that due to my location (Yorkshire) the external temperature was too low for the dye to properly cure, despite feeling dry to the touch. I've reached out to the company to ask for guidance, even if it means removing the paint and starting again.

If there's nothing to be done however, I think I'll have to get the seats reupholstered. Damn shame, as compared to before they look as good as new (see pics)