Mold in non-skid

[davidf995]

Hello-
I have black mold bits in the crevices of the molded in non-skid on deck.
Tried all kinds of mold inhibitors, even tried muriatic acid. Sorta knocks it back but doesn't get rid of it. Any ideas?
thanks

 

[MisterR6]

Hydrogen peroxide kills the mold and spores better than bleach, but am unsure of it removing stains from mold. Try a small spot, if it works you can buy gallons for cheap at a beauty supply store. Cleaned my bilge three years ago and still spotless, have a friend at a mold abatement company that showed me that trick! Hope it helps, as it is both cheap and easy!

 

[VanIslandGuy]

Spray-nine in a garden sprayer works well. Best to do it on an overcast day so that it doesn't immediately evaporate off. Afterwards just wash and wax as per normal.

 

[Bob R.]

Practical Sailor has published the results for several tests they and others have conducted with both commercial and home made cleaners for mold and mildew removal and prevention. I have been using their Formula B for several years and found that it works better than bleach for both cleaning and prevention. I keep a gallon of it in my dock box and use it as an additive in a wash bucket with boat soap for general deck, cockpit and anchor locker cleanup. I also have a spray bottle for mold and mildew cleanup when I find it. Here if the recipe for Formula B:

Formula B
1 quart hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons Borax
1 tablespoon TSP

 

[capta]

It's probably going to take a scrub brush and a lot of elbow grease.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Starbright has a product called Non-skid Deck Cleaner. Comes in a couple of different package forms. For some reason, it seems to work better than other products I have found.

 

[LakeOntario270]

I am unfamiliar with TSP? What is it and where do I purchase it?

 

[dlochner]

I am unfamiliar with TSP? What is it and where do I purchase it?

TSP is Tri Sodium Phosphate, but you can't buy real TSP any more because of the phosphate. The big box hardware stores carry a substitute, here's a link to the amazon version. https://amzn.to/2L2aYSf Look for it in the painting supplies with pre-painting cleaners.

Practical Sailor's Formula B works pretty well. I just used it for the first time, seems to knock the mold and mildew out.

Be a little careful with Hydrogen Peroxide, it is a bleach. I accidentally got some on the wood work and it bleached out a few sections.

Finally, look very closely at the black spots, it may not be mold or mildew. I can be places where the gelcoat has worn or chipped away.

 

[JimInPB]

TSP is Tri Sodium Phosphate, but you can't buy real TSP any more because of the phosphate. The big box hardware stores carry a substitute, here's a link to the amazon version. https://amzn.to/2L2aYSf Look for it in the painting supplies with pre-painting cleaners....

What makes you think that isn't real TSP??? The label on the back says that it's trisodium phosphate. I see it at Lowes too - https://www.lowes.com/pd/TSP-All-Pu...MIuoi20bOG2wIVw7XACh1pYwEAEAQYASABEgLA-PD_BwE

Maybe real TSP is banned in NY state or something???

 

[LuzSD]

Spray-nine in a garden sprayer works well. Best to do it on an overcast day so that it doesn't immediately evaporate off. Afterwards just wash and wax as per normal.

but your not waxing your non skid .... right?

 

[Davidasailor26]

but your not waxing your non skid .... right?

Woody Wax. Provides the dirt resistance of wax without reducing non-skid performance.

 

[dlochner]

What makes you think that isn't real TSP??? The label on the back says that it's trisodium phosphate. I see it at Lowes too - https://www.lowes.com/pd/TSP-All-Pu...MIuoi20bOG2wIVw7XACh1pYwEAEAQYASABEgLA-PD_BwE

Maybe real TSP is banned in NY state or something???

Yep, Phosphates in cleaning products are banned in NY as they are major contributor to algae blooms in our lakes. I see it when I chose the West Palm Beach store, but in Syracuse, only the substitute is listed. https://www.lowes.com/pd/TSP-PF-16-oz-All-Purpose-Cleaner/3033736

 

[Gunni]

Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP) grows algae and does not enhance any near-shore water environment. If you are going to use it do so conservatively and per the Practical Sailor formula. More is not better. The Borax is the effective anti-mold ingredient in any case and it is toxic to freshwater critters. There is no getting around the need to break out the brush and scrub the deck.

 

[forbin]

You could try Wet & Forget...it wont be an instant fix but does a great job of prevention.

 

[JamesG161]

Wet & Forget

Does both clean and prevent and is neutral pH. No Borax or Phosphates.
If you have a Chemical Supply house, ask for a gym cushion cleaner. It is Wet & Forget for a third the price.
Jim...

 

[Mark Maulden]

How does all this “stuff” do with acrylic windows? When the boat gets rinsed off..

 

[JamesG161]

Wet and Forget is a mold and mildew disinfectant cleaner, it does not suds. Just like the name says...
Wet and Forget. The more the surface chemical sees rain fall, the less the protection.
I have a fresh Towel Storage bin. in the Head. Always, the towels were mildewed after a few months. I cleaned the bin with Wet and Forget [cheaper equivalent].
One year later, no mildew!

There is no rain in the towel bin, though.

I have heard on SBO, boats on the hard, under a boat cover, have much less mildew. Search Wet and Forget on the forae.
Jim...

 

[Scott B]

Is it the diamond pattern non-skid? I had problems keeping mine clean so emailed Shurhold. She recommended their medium deck brush ( I was suing a soft brush ). She said could also use the stiff brush, that's what she used on their 24ft. fishing boat in FLA. Tried the medium with the Starbrite Non-skid cleaner and worked great.

https://shurhold.com/marine/shurhold-system/brushes/6-inch-deck-brushes/

 

[Gene Neill]

Wet & Forget is pretty amazing stuff. I use it on the boat, the house, the sheds, the walkways ...

 

[thinwater]

Does both clean and prevent and is neutral pH. No Borax or Phosphates.
If you have a Chemical Supply house, ask for a gym cushion cleaner. It is Wet & Forget for a third the price.
Jim...

Wet-and-Forget is benzalkonium chloride, which is also quite toxic to freshwater organisms (can't remember about marine). Another discount source is Algae X for swimming pools. Dilute to about 1% BAC and spray onto a dry deck. Also good for rain gear.

BAC is not a cleaner, but it kills mildew, making it easier to remove a week later. It is also a good preventative, if allowed to dry in place after cleaning. Same with Formula B.

Regarding wood decks, Halberg Rassy recommends Boracol, which is a borate glycol ester. As for the environment, borate occurs naturally; the important thing is to use only the specified dilution and to use only what is needed which isn't much at all. Clean while out of the water when possible, and minimize washing with anything other than water.