Getting Rid of Mould

Rich Stidger · May 19, 2011

If it is really mold, it should have been cleaned with a weak bleach solution. I suspect that you have something else other than mold.

Winkfish · May 19, 2011

I had the same thing on my Whaler. I tried all kinds of thing, including bleach solutions. A friend told me about X-14 Mildew Remover, I used it, and it was great. Sprayed it on, left it for a few minutes, hosed it off. It was amazing.

estopa · May 19, 2011

3M Rubbing Compound handled all those black spots I had on mine. Used a Dual Action Polisher or hand rubbing where it couldn't fit.

RichH · May 19, 2011

Mold and mildew is easily cleaned by using 'caustic' soap or detergents. The 'caustic' dissolves the cells, both the visible cells and the cells that have penetrated the surface.

Examples of caustics: old fashioned 'lye soap', TSP - TriSodiumPhosphate, detergents containing sodium silicates. It sometimes takes 'time' to dissolve the cells ... so apply, let soak, etc. Caution- caustic detergents & soaps also dissolve human skin, eyeballs, etc. so wear 'protection'.

Note: For interior surfaces - once the surface is cleaned and flushed with water, simply 'spritz' on more caustic, wipe and let dry ... will be a modern version of 'whitewashing'. Mold/mildew spores will not propagate on caustic surfaces.
Caution: do not use on BARE teak or other fine BARE woods as caustics will extract the tannins and will change the 'color'. Dont apply to varnished or 'oiled' surfaces - good 'remover' for oil finishes !!!!! ... (To protect varnished or oiled surfaces apply vinegar and let dry).

If you use 'bleach' you only kill/stun the organism and the remaining dead cells can later become the nutrient source of other molds/mildews.

FourPoints · May 19, 2011

Tilex Mold and Mildew remover with Bleach does a fantastic job, and it kills the mold spores so it doesn't just grow back in a few weeks. You can pick it up at any grocery store for a few bucks. I've used it on numerous boats, mine included. Friend's Catalina 25 was visually in horrible shape due to the little black mildew spots, he hadn't been able to clean them successfully since he bought the boat 4 years prior. quick but thorough spray and good rinse 10 minutes later made the cockpit look 15 years newer, and he didn't have a single recurrance of mildew all season.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ti...4263-product?V=G&ext=frgl_Google_For_the_Home

Menestheus · May 19, 2011

spray nine ...west marine sells takes anything off

FourPoints · May 20, 2011

KenG said:
The only mildew remover I could find locally was a bathroom cleaner called spray and bubbles. Tried it and nothing,I did try Spray Nine again nothing.
I will go to Home Depot and see what they have.I am on a mission now.

Trust me, get the Tilex... Amazing results (on mold/mildew). Most grocery stores or drug stores will have it.

GreenGorilla · Sep 7, 2011

Bleach does not work on mold. Both EPA and OSHA have published papers on that fact. It will not kill spores and will act as a fertilizer for the remaining spores. Also, it has the added benefit of being extremely toxic for humans.
I am in the mold remediation business and there are safe products available to kill and prevent mold growth.

Don S/V ILLusion · Sep 7, 2011

GreenGorilla said:
Bleach does not work on mold. Both EPA and OSHA have published papers on that fact.

Would you provide a reference document or link to the EPA results?
My unscientific experience over 50 years worth of "studies" would indicate otherwise. There are many varieties of molds so results may vary.

Cayennita · Sep 7, 2011

Look up at the Yahoo answers for Mold Removal on Fiberglass. Also WD40.com. I use WD40 on the interior teak of my boat. It cleans it right up and leaves a nice shiny surface.
You can also use it on the gasket of a refrigerator, etc.

RichH · Sep 7, 2011

Don S/V ILLusion said:
Would you provide a reference document or link to the EPA results?
My unscientific experience over 50 years worth of "studies" would indicate otherwise. There are many varieties of molds so results may vary.

An EPA document/advisory against the usage of 'bleach' for mold remediation for 'consumers' is: EPA 402-k-02-003 especially - http://www.epa.gov/iedmold1/hiddenmold.html Your 'connection' to the EPA from this document will probably provide the source data.

Mold and Mildew remediation by the EPA recommendations avoids the usage of bleach. Such has been a standard in the BioPharma Industry for about 30+ years where the 'general' disinfectants are quaternary ammonia, or H2O2+peracetic acid, etc. and/but 'caustics' are preferred because they dissolve the mycelium cells or result in cell lysis (break open). The usage of 'laundry bleach' has long been known to only kill/stun the current infection and if the dead cells are not removed, those cells/fragments merely become a nutrient source for successive/other mycelium species infection.

BTW - 'black spots' on exterior fiberglass are usually 'artillery fungus' (Sphaeobolus Stellatu) which can penetrate deeply into gelcoat, especially if the gelcoat has become porous. Only way to remove is to dissolve it with caustics but it may leave 'shadows' deep within the porosity. 'Artillery fungus' is widespread in high humidity 'forested' areas or areas that use lots of 'mulch' that is made from ground-up hardwood or tree bark. Artillery fungus can also penetrate polyethylene and other permeable 'plastics'.

stephen Penny · Sep 7, 2011

X-14 removed the mold from my boat left by the PO.

zeehag · Sep 7, 2011

i find vinegar does very well for getting rid of molds when i find them.