moldy decks

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Jun 8, 2009
20
Oday 23 Ranier, MN
Is there any reason not to use a mild bleach solution to clean the black stuff (which appears to be mold) off my decks? It has been a wet summer here on Rainy Lake. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
KP
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
I would use anything that doesn't contain harmful acids that can eat out the caulking under your gunwale strip moldings. Some cleaners have Oxalic Acid which will eat out caulking and cause leaks. Been there, done that. I bought some Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pads to clean the cockpit of my boat and I was amazed at how it removed the dirt, but I'm not sure if this product will have any adverse effects on my boat as far as eating the caulking. This is something that I'm going to have to find out by reading up on it. If it's good for a boat, it has to be an amazing product. In one of my many boating books, they tell you that Zud Cleanser which can be bought at a grocery store, will clean a boat's hull just as well as Star bright Hull Cleaner and it will, but what they don't tell you is that this stuff will eat out caulking because it contains Oxalic Acid. I found this out the hard way.
 
Jun 19, 2010
131
Oday 23 Percy Priest TN
I used some bleach also but don't know if it was bad for the boat. I moved to a pressure washer and magic erasers. They took care of everything so far. In This Old Boat the author gives a good progression of cleaners to use.
 
Oct 10, 2009
1,100
Catalina 27 3657 Lake Monroe
A bleach solution will kill the mildew. I use a vinegar solution which also works and which is probably a little better for the lake.
 
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