Mildew on P&S and Aft Bolsters

[Yearwood]

About six or seven years ago we had new grey bolsters made for the P&S and aft sides of the aft deck. We failed to remove them for the winter for a few years and a month or so ago I noticed mildew. Normal scrubbing did not remove it. I just removed the bolsters for the winter. They were quite wet with water inside having easily entered through the outboard mesh and penetrating the open cellular filling. Thought the mildew was coming from the inside but after opening found the inside to be spotless. So the question ... anyone had the same problem and aware of a solution. Last century, when I was a teenage upholsterer, we would clean naugahyde and paint on a what I recall was a clear lacquer which did not crack. Perhaps there is something similar with some color which will hold up outdoors.

[Nancy]

Have you tried Soft Scrub? Seems pretty drastic, but maybe you have nothing to lose. Before that, you could try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

[Yearwood]

I thought soft scrub would be too abrasive, but I will give both a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Nancy]

I thought soft scrub would be too abrasive, but I will give both a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

It might be, but I'm not sure anything else will work. I'm thinking Soft Scrub with Bleach. But only if you're willing to risk damaging them. Good luck!

[Sisu22]

I've had pretty good luck with Star Brite's mildew remover.

[Yearwood]

Thanks. I think we have successfully used that for headliners.

[Nepidae]

I'm perplexed. We've had our boat for 7yrs and have never had mold or mildew.
When we were on the Chesapeake we would close her up for a week to go home and to work. We left her for 10days in White Hall, NY all closed up and nothing.
Now I will say that 1 of the first things I did when I bought the boat was to add solar vents, 1 on the fwd hatch cover and 1 on the aft in our MSR. 1 pulls in air and the other pushes it out.
I also put in dripless shaft seals so we keep a fairly dry bilge.
Could the best possible way to deal with mold & mildew be to have some air circulation to prevent it.