This evil stuff grows on my deck faster than I can scrub it off!! 
I have an arsenal of ways to remove it; is there any way to PREVENT it??
I have an arsenal of ways to remove it; is there any way to PREVENT it??
Exterior mildew, will anything prevent it??
- Thread starter Gene Neill
- Start date
I did just put an extra concrete block under each leg of the canvas carport. Reckon that'll fix the problem??
An idea is to paint the top side with colorful pattern. You can't tell real stain from fake.
I had a rust bucket car when I was young. That led me to think of making stick-on rust patches. People won't park near you.
I had a rust bucket car when I was young. That led me to think of making stick-on rust patches. People won't park near you.
Gene,
Can you give us an idea of what you've been using to avoid us suggesting to you what you already use unsuccessfully?
Can you give us an idea of what you've been using to avoid us suggesting to you what you already use unsuccessfully?
a very strong bleach solution will remove the wax, but not immediately, it still takes several minutes for it to work.
a mild bleach solution will kill the bacteria, slow down the mildew and NOT harm the wax...
keeping the boat dry will stop the mildew....
You mentioned cinder blocks under the legs of the Canvas Carport...Sounds like the Carport is trapping moisture. So yes, increasing ventilation where you are storing it will help it dry and prevent mildew. After sailing and getting home if you can let her sit in the sun for a bit to air out/dry out before going under the carport would be ideal. Also, if you have an extension cord that will reach out there put a small fan or two to help move air, fans don't burn too much power.
Gene, there is a very effective product called Wet & Forget which prevents mold and mildew. You spray it on the items you want to treat with a pump type garden sprayer. It does not remove mold/mildew immediately but works over a long period of time to remove it and will prevent it from reappearing. Fall is a perfect time to apply it and it will continue to work over the winter and spring. It will not harm fiberglass. It works on many other types of materials too. No affilation whatsoever just a satisified user. I've been using it for years to keep my non-skid deck free of those black mold specks which love to hide in the tiny nooks and crannies.
Gene
You have a trailer sailboat.... can I assume you have live oak nearby? I have found that oak trees give off a light mist of sap... usually at night and more noticeable in the spring. That sap turns black when it is dry and looks just like mildew. I get it all over my cars, decks and boats so... I moved the boats to a different part of the yard. The car can fend for itself Problem solved.
You have a trailer sailboat.... can I assume you have live oak nearby? I have found that oak trees give off a light mist of sap... usually at night and more noticeable in the spring. That sap turns black when it is dry and looks just like mildew. I get it all over my cars, decks and boats so... I moved the boats to a different part of the yard. The car can fend for itself
Problem solved.
Concrobium.Good stuff. But you can make your own for pennies, since it contains only a few hardware store chemicals.
http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-11249-1.html. Formula A. But I think Formula B is actually better.
Wet and Forget. Also a commercial chemical, available MUCH cheaper (pennies) at the pool store (benzalkonium chloride).
http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_57/features/Fighting-Mildew-Mold-and-Lichen_11798-1.html
And RGRanger may be right about the sap.
http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-11249-1.html. Formula A. But I think Formula B is actually better.
Wet and Forget. Also a commercial chemical, available MUCH cheaper (pennies) at the pool store (benzalkonium chloride).
http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_57/features/Fighting-Mildew-Mold-and-Lichen_11798-1.html
And RGRanger may be right about the sap.
True on TSP. You can leave it out and it will still work. It is primarily a source of alkalinity.
Borate is a normal part of seawater (~ 30 ppm--that's where borax deposits come from), and unless you dump mass quantities, you are unlikely to effect the balance (you will probably use less than one ounce, which would be 3 ppm in 20000 gallons, which is about the water in your slip, assuming no tide). Most probably, no measurable impact, unless there is some count information.
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In point of fact, I use almost no cleaners on my boat. It just seems better. What do I care about a little mildew? Does it actually matter? Regular washing makes no sense to me, other than occasionally (if the rain does not) rinsing salt off the windows and mud off the foredeck.
Borate is a normal part of seawater (~ 30 ppm--that's where borax deposits come from), and unless you dump mass quantities, you are unlikely to effect the balance (you will probably use less than one ounce, which would be 3 ppm in 20000 gallons, which is about the water in your slip, assuming no tide). Most probably, no measurable impact, unless there is some count information.
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In point of fact, I use almost no cleaners on my boat. It just seems better. What do I care about a little mildew? Does it actually matter? Regular washing makes no sense to me, other than occasionally (if the rain does not) rinsing salt off the windows and mud off the foredeck.