Cabin Headliner Stains

[Capt.Walter]

Our '91 250DA has severe water stains in the cabin headliner. It is really the only interior blemish and I would like to do something about it. Looking for suggestions. I have tried an Oxyclean with a non-aggressive brush will little success. Options I have considered include: a more aggressive cleaner, painting the fabric, or replacing it. While I'm asking, here is a product knowledge question. I have noticed there is a carpet paint out there, I would appreciate knowing of some experience and knowledge of this as well. I'm always cognisant its a 28-year-old boat and I don't want to spend a boatload of $$$. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Little Ducky]

Can you post some good pictures of what you are dealing with?

 

[sbw1]

You need to fix the leak before you fix the stain. What have you done about the root cause?

 

[Golfman25]

I agree with fixing the leak first. As for removing the stain, try a magic eraser? Very lightly as you'll be "sanding" the headliner.

 

[Capt.Walter]

We thought the root cause was fixed. The culprit, the stanchions supporting the bow rail. I checked the boat today and there is still one leaking. Very heavy rain in the past 24 hours was a good test. Just love it when I pay to get something fixed and it turns out it's not fixed. Here are some photos of the issue we have.

 

[BillK2632]

That's a lot of staining - clean it with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar and just a little detergent like Ivory Liquid.

 

[sbw1]

That is where my 1993 370 leaked. Thought we had it fixed as well but no joy after major efforts to stop the flow. We were able to slow it down and eventually replaced the entire headliner. This on a brand new boat. Good luck with it.

 

[El Capitan]

You might also buy mold kill. No, bleach does not kill mold. There is a product that specifically kills mold. Spray bottle it all over then clean stain.
There’s also a product I saw on Ship Shape tv that prevents it from coming back.

 

[JVM225]

After you get the leak fixed you can try cleaning it as described by others above, but it’s unlikely that the staining will come out.
If you don’t want to go through the work of replacing the whole thing then maybe try dyeing the headliner once you get it as clean as possible.

 

[QT1]

I had similar stains in my 300 Weekender. Before I sold her, I sprayed the headliner with Off white Chalk paint. Walmart and Home Depot has it, about $5.95 a can. It looked great and was not stiff. Check out You tube videos on the product

 

[Coz]

How did you determine it was the bow rail stanchions?
I get water in my ceiling sometimes and haven’t located the cause

 

[spikedaddy99]

Can you get it cleaned by a carpet cleaning company who may do upholstery too?

 

[PlayDate]

I'm afraid that is too far gone for cleaning. The hatches and stanchions are the money bet as to where the water is coming from. In regards to the material .....you have nothing to lose. Hit it with a mold remover let it dry and paint it. As long as the base of the paint is flexible....(they make vinyl paint)....it will look a lot better.

 

[QT1]

Can you get it cleaned by a carpet cleaning company who may do upholstery too?

I agree, it's too far gone for any carpet cleaning job, even from a professional company.

 

[QT1]

How did you determine it was the bow rail stanchions?
I get water in my ceiling sometimes and haven’t located the cause

A few common places, stanchion plates (under the bolts and base), hatches and front windshield seal.

 

[Sublimetime]

Rails that run down the center of bow can leak also.
The bad part about finding these leaks is it can enter in one place and then wick its way thru the coring and not come out the bottom layer of fiberglass until it travels a substantial distance. In your case it looks like the water is coming out where they attached the bulkhead, and that's a lot of water so check the closest hatch.

 

[SeaRayRon]

We thought the root cause was fixed. The culprit, the stanchions supporting the bow rail. I checked the boat today and there is still one leaking. Very heavy rain in the past 24 hours was a good test. Just love it when I pay to get something fixed and it turns out it's not fixed. Here are some photos of the issue we have.
View attachment 74577 View attachment 74580 View attachment 74581 View attachment 74582

Alot of this staining is from condensation, no boat leaks that much to spread it all over the fabric. It is boat manufactures main enemy. Not a whole lot you can do except paint with a darker color so it doesn't show as much and will bleed through the lighter colors....of replace it $$$

 

[SCORPIO]

I used a Bissel Green Machine, small spot carpet and upholstery shampooer to clean the headliner. I used some Spray Nine and a brush to get the stain broken down. I then used the pet stain remover cleaner and hot water and worked at the area until it was clean. It took a couple iterations to get it clean, but it did remove the stains.

 

[Wanderer 290]

+1 on fabric paint.
If you do attempt cleaning avoid saturating because only more tanin will bleed from the wood.

 

[Avenger]

I used a Bissel Green Machine, small spot carpet and upholstery shampooer to clean the headliner. I used some Spray Nine and a brush to get the stain broken down. I then used the pet stain remover cleaner and hot water and worked at the area until it was clean. It took a couple iterations to get it clean, but it did remove the stains.

I also have this Bissel Green Machine and it has done an amazing job of cleaning up spill stains. Must have for any boater with kids.