Does anyone have a recipe for something that will remove black mould specks from fibreglass? Based on my experience to date the amount of commercial cleaner required to do the job will cost more than my boat is worth.
Black mould removal
- Thread starter priariesailor
- Start date
Someone mentioned vinegar in another thread. Can't verify personally though i intend to try it one of these days.
Try tilex or such, that's the stuff the admiral cleans the bathroom with. I give "Nanna" a good wipe down in the spring and it works well.
Irritating .....................
....................... smell at first but I've never seen anything more effective (or cheaper). Add a drop of dish-washing detergent as a wetting agent.
My Oday had sat on a lift for several mos. and had green and black mold outside and a good beginning crop of black inside. Tilex was truly the magic fix we have all been looking for. Vinegar is also effective to perhaps a slightly lesser degree. Keep the tilex away from fabrics and woodwork you don't wish to bleach. Incidentally, I met an old gentleman from Canada that kept his Morgan in a boat yard in Placida Fl. and had always come back to a boat full of mildew. He learned from a friend to place a plastic waste basket in each cabin with a quart of vinegar in each. No mildew has ever greeted his return for the sailing season. Seems the vapors in the air inhibit the growth and his boat was spotless thereafter.
Good luck, Darrell
Good luck, Darrell
Re: black mould
Thanks to all. As soon as three feet of snow melts I will get right at it.
The mold isn't actually growing on the fiberglass. It's growing on dust on the fiberglass. Mold has to have organic matter for a food source to grow.
You don't have to use anything more aggressive than dish soap and water. But use a stiff nylon brush and scrub vigorously.
If you are someone who is sensitive to mold (sneeze, cough, watery eyes) then wear a dust mast or respirator. I would recommend a good dust mask that has an exhalation valve on it. It should say N95 on it.
Bleach is no longer recommended for mold remediation because there are worse health affects from using it and you don't actually need it to effectively remove mold. Mold needs 3 things, a food source (something organic often the dead skin cells in dust), a moisture source and air. First remove the food source by cleaning with soap and water. Next remove the moisture source by adequate ventilation since the moisture source is usually humid air. So set up a cheap box fan to run for a day or two after you clean. Then just keep on top of the cleaning. Every so often wipe down the are to remove the dust. We tend to use the Lysol kitchen and bath wipes because it's convenient now while we are in the US. We will probably just use soap and water with a cloth rag when we are out cruising.
Good luck and fair winds
Jesse
You don't have to use anything more aggressive than dish soap and water. But use a stiff nylon brush and scrub vigorously.
If you are someone who is sensitive to mold (sneeze, cough, watery eyes) then wear a dust mast or respirator. I would recommend a good dust mask that has an exhalation valve on it. It should say N95 on it.
Bleach is no longer recommended for mold remediation because there are worse health affects from using it and you don't actually need it to effectively remove mold. Mold needs 3 things, a food source (something organic often the dead skin cells in dust), a moisture source and air. First remove the food source by cleaning with soap and water. Next remove the moisture source by adequate ventilation since the moisture source is usually humid air. So set up a cheap box fan to run for a day or two after you clean. Then just keep on top of the cleaning. Every so often wipe down the are to remove the dust. We tend to use the Lysol kitchen and bath wipes because it's convenient now while we are in the US. We will probably just use soap and water with a cloth rag when we are out cruising.
Good luck and fair winds
Jesse
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about here . This stuff is on the exterior of the boat - so far. There has always been some of it visible as long as I have owned the boat but it got a lot worse last Summer while the boat was in a slip. It is black in color and adheres quite vigorously to the fibreglass. Tried various cleaners last Spring and got some of it with lots of scrubbing. I assumed it was mould - maybe someone knows better.
Thanks a bunch.
Thanks a bunch.
I see the similar black spots on my hull. and it looks like mold to me.
I use either acetone, mek, or chlorine (bleach).
I think my problem is a lack of wax, or protective coating.
if you use chemicals, I would suggest putting some was or sealer over it after.
There are a lot of threads on hull sealant, polishes... and wax.
I use either acetone, mek, or chlorine (bleach).
I think my problem is a lack of wax, or protective coating.
if you use chemicals, I would suggest putting some was or sealer over it after.
There are a lot of threads on hull sealant, polishes... and wax.
I had the black spots on the gel coat after scrubbing as I had in the past. I have always used Dawn liquid and a brush and lot of scrubbing. I began the clean up of the Oday with Dawn and took about 9 hrs, to clean the main cabin. My significant other suggested the Tilex and I was thinking it wouldn't be up to the task. The black spots were left on the main cabin even after a thorough scrubbing. After spraying on the Tilex, no scrubbing whatsoever, and a thorough rinse with the hose, The green mold and the black spots as well were just gone. I later sprayed the black spots left by the Dawn and they disappeared as well. I think a solution of bleach would do the same trick but I haven't tried it yet.
Regards, Darrell
Regards, Darrell
I swear by Magic Eraser cleaning sponges. They are just melamine foam. I usually use them in conjunction with 3M Deck Cleaner and often scrub with a nylon brush to get loose material off before using the sponges.
Magic erasers work by "sanding" the surface on a microscopic level. So each time you scrub with them you are taking away your gelcoat or paint. If you use them too often you will eventually have some problems. It's like compounding that spot every time you scrub.
Fantastic with bleach and they just vanish before your eyes (it's the bleach that does it).
BUT you need to ensure none of it runs down the hull as it will lighten everything it touches - and you will end up with streakes.
I spray it on the mold then rinse and then wash (with Mr clean) anywhere the rinse water ran down the hull.
I did find one thing that removed it from visible areas even better - a few days in the hot summer sun and the stuff is gone.
Sunlight also removes red wine stains - don't bother scrubbing or using chemicals.
Chris
BUT you need to ensure none of it runs down the hull as it will lighten everything it touches - and you will end up with streakes.
I spray it on the mold then rinse and then wash (with Mr clean) anywhere the rinse water ran down the hull.
I did find one thing that removed it from visible areas even better - a few days in the hot summer sun and the stuff is gone.
Sunlight also removes red wine stains - don't bother scrubbing or using chemicals.
Chris
Black mould specks
Two years ago my boat was coated inside and out. Also inside hatches and the cuddy. Due to poor ventilation over winter, fiive months undertarps and snow.
BORAX . One $4 Box. Apply as a paste with shop towels (Costso) rinsed off with water. Cheap fast and safe.
Two years ago my boat was coated inside and out. Also inside hatches and the cuddy. Due to poor ventilation over winter, fiive months undertarps and snow.
I am extremely sensitive (allergic) to mould and mildew. I use bleach pretty much exclusively to remove mould and mildew. A 6:1 or 8:10 ratio if I want extreme results. Less bleach if it's just a very faint hint of mould.
I do not use it on most fabrics, but will use it on vinyl and nearly everything else - including things it's not necessarily recommended for: walls, etc.
The key is to let it sit for just a few minutes, and then rinse VERY thoroughly.
And make sure you avoid breathing the fumes.
I just did the INTERIOR of my new-to-me 26D and I had the hatch open in the bow and the main hatch raised up. But I also had TWO blowers (you know the big industrial fans for drying carpets, etc) blowing through the boat. One was blowing in through the bow hatch, and the other was at the main hatch. It probably would have been even better to have a third blowing the fresh air from the bow, back. But it would have blown my spray all over the place and into my face. And it also wasn't really all that necessary - I could stick my head out of the boat easily to find fresh air between breaths.
I have absolutely no more mould in the boat, and can habitate there easily and without issue.
I do not use it on most fabrics, but will use it on vinyl and nearly everything else - including things it's not necessarily recommended for: walls, etc.
The key is to let it sit for just a few minutes, and then rinse VERY thoroughly.
And make sure you avoid breathing the fumes.
I just did the INTERIOR of my new-to-me 26D and I had the hatch open in the bow and the main hatch raised up. But I also had TWO blowers (you know the big industrial fans for drying carpets, etc) blowing through the boat. One was blowing in through the bow hatch, and the other was at the main hatch. It probably would have been even better to have a third blowing the fresh air from the bow, back. But it would have blown my spray all over the place and into my face. And it also wasn't really all that necessary - I could stick my head out of the boat easily to find fresh air between breaths.
I have absolutely no more mould in the boat, and can habitate there easily and without issue.
On my Siren I used drain cleaner. The liquid type. Nasty stuff! Don't get it on you or breath it in!
It etches the gel-coat so I have sealed it with an industrial liquid floor polish.
Don't try this at home. It's really dangerous and can ruin your boat fast!
It etches the gel-coat so I have sealed it with an industrial liquid floor polish.
Don't try this at home. It's really dangerous and can ruin your boat fast!