In Sept. of this year I bought my first sailboat. A catalina 27. I have quite a lot of what appears to be mold and mildew around, especially under the cockpit as accessed behind the stairs and in other general hard to get places. I was going to use soft scrub with bleach to try to clean and eliminate or prevent re-growth as much as possible and was told that you should never use any bleach product on fiberglass. Is this true and if so I am interested in products which will best protect against this growth without harming the integrity of my sailboat. Also how do you best keep a "fresh" smell in the cabin? Thanks for any help
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J Smmonds
Thats what I use
I have never heard of not using bleach on fibreglass. I do not use it straight though, mix it in plenty of hot water and make sure you get it everywhere, in fact some in a spray bottle for those impossible to reach places will help. It is important to remove as much of the spores as possible or they will regrow. You may want to consider a solar vent asap, they really do keep the air circulating and the growth to a minimum. For a fresher smell to the cabin, get rid of carpet if you have any and spray the fabric regularly with Febreeze, it works wonders. Good luck.
I have never heard of not using bleach on fibreglass. I do not use it straight though, mix it in plenty of hot water and make sure you get it everywhere, in fact some in a spray bottle for those impossible to reach places will help. It is important to remove as much of the spores as possible or they will regrow. You may want to consider a solar vent asap, they really do keep the air circulating and the growth to a minimum. For a fresher smell to the cabin, get rid of carpet if you have any and spray the fabric regularly with Febreeze, it works wonders. Good luck.
This is a first.
Gary: This is a first that I have ever heard of NOT using a bleach product on fiberglass. We have used X-14 and just plain ol' bleach & water for years. I know of NO other way to kill the mold spores other than bleach. I would NOT use soft scrub on anything other than the non-skid (if you must). There are other products that will clean the non-skid like the Non-skid cleaners that you find at the marine stores. Also Island Girl Pink is an excellent cleaner. It can be used straight or diluted to clean and condition gelcoat or any other plastics.
Gary: This is a first that I have ever heard of NOT using a bleach product on fiberglass. We have used X-14 and just plain ol' bleach & water for years. I know of NO other way to kill the mold spores other than bleach. I would NOT use soft scrub on anything other than the non-skid (if you must). There are other products that will clean the non-skid like the Non-skid cleaners that you find at the marine stores. Also Island Girl Pink is an excellent cleaner. It can be used straight or diluted to clean and condition gelcoat or any other plastics.
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Terry Dannar
Bleach is what I use
I also use bleach. Be sure to rinse with clean water, If you use lake water, you will find your cleaning does not last as long.
I also use bleach. Be sure to rinse with clean water, If you use lake water, you will find your cleaning does not last as long.
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Don
Bleach ...
I too have always used bleach but I just read somewhere that it is not good for figerglass. Seems that it has detrimental effects over time. Can't recall the source but I will add it if I can think of it.
I too have always used bleach but I just read somewhere that it is not good for figerglass. Seems that it has detrimental effects over time. Can't recall the source but I will add it if I can think of it.
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Allen
I've used bleach, too, but.......
.... I've also had good results in enclosed spaces, using vinegar and water. Use about 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.
.... I've also had good results in enclosed spaces, using vinegar and water. Use about 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.
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Bob Camarena
Scrubbing Bubbles
I've had good luck with Scrubbing Bubbles. One good thing about it is that it foams so it sticks to vertical and overhead surfaces.
I've had good luck with Scrubbing Bubbles. One good thing about it is that it foams so it sticks to vertical and overhead surfaces.
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Tom
Ozone generator
Try an Ozone generator. Run it for a few hours with the boat closed up. Turn it off and let the cabin air out well before you go back in -- it isn't safe to breath the ozone. It kills mold, mildew and freshens the air of odors. I purchased one on Ebay new for a reasonable amount a few years ago. Fair winds (and cabin air), Tom
Try an Ozone generator. Run it for a few hours with the boat closed up. Turn it off and let the cabin air out well before you go back in -- it isn't safe to breath the ozone. It kills mold, mildew and freshens the air of odors. I purchased one on Ebay new for a reasonable amount a few years ago. Fair winds (and cabin air), Tom
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