Set In Mold/Mildew

[scarlet]

I wasn't sure where to put this... thought I would try here.

In our masterhull, I have 2 Mold/Mildew stains that seem to be completely set in. One is on the headliner material ( vinyl?) and the other is on the inside of our cabinets on the smooth wood laminate. They are purple... and nothing seems to get them out. I've tried multiple products.. even bleach... nothing will touch them. Any magic product out there that you've tried to get these seemingly permanent stains?

[scarlet]

I forgot there are also purple stains under the removable floor in the shower. totally disgusting... something has to be able to get them out...

[Seaworthy Lass]

Have you tried vinegar?

[Simi 60]

We have one bathroom with same issues in walls done in a polyester gelcoat over plywood

We have tried
vinegar
Chlorine
Bleach
Orange citrus type cleaners
Gumtion
Jif
Oxy bleach
Even toothpaste

I am thinking sanding and painting is the solution.

[belizesailor]

There are various chemicals which will kill mold/mildew, the mildest of which are vinegar & bleach, but the stain may remain. If bad enough the mold will discolor or even physically damage material. Killing the mold does not necessarily remove the discoloration. You may need a separate product for that. Sometimes the only fix is just to replace the material.

PS: Welcome to the joys of boat ownership...you are just getting started!

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Have you tried vinegar?

no.. but isn't vinegar a mild cleaner? this is actually heavily stained..

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

There are various chemicals which will kill mold/mildew, the mildest of which are vinegar & bleach, but the stain may remain. If bad enough the mold will discolor or even physically damage material. Killing the mold does not necessarily remove the discoloration. You may need a separate product for that. Sometimes the only fix is just to replace the material.

PS: Welcome to the joys of boat ownership...you are just getting started!

I'm assuming that the mold or mildew is no longer active.. but that it is just stained. I'm thinking that on the vinyl, I may just try shoe polish over it... But the wood.. that's something different. It's where my clothes will go. I don't want my clothes laying on that...

[OldMan]

30 Second Cleaner?


It's typically an outdoors only cleaner, so make sure all hatches are open and use sparingly.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by scarlet

no.. but isn't vinegar a mild cleaner? this is actually heavily stained..

That's the wrong way to look at it. I'm guessing you didn't like chemistry class.


Bleach is an oxidizing agent. It acts by breaking bonds within the color bodies in the stain. There is no stronger practical agent. The only think you might try is a paste made with baking soda and beach (it just gives it more dwell time).


The weakness of bleach is that it does not penetrate plastics well. You might try a paste made with Oxiclean (hydrogen peroxide in solid form). It is not as strong, but it penetrates better. It is also slow, so give it several hours or over night.



Vinegar is a weak acid, which dissolves metal stains. It is nearly the opposite of bleach in action (bleach is alkaline and can't touch metal stains). You might try it, after bleach. But there are stronger acids, often sold as rust stain removers.

[john61ct]

Once the micro-organisms are **100% dead and gone**

if it really is vinyl

there are plenty of coloring coatings ("paint") products to cover the stains up.

Other surfaces have their own compatible versions.

Or as stated, replace with new.

Try one then worst case resort to the other.

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by thinwater

That's the wrong way to look at it. I'm guessing you didn't like chemistry class.

nope... chemistry bored me!!!

[Stu Jackson]

FSR to remove "color" spots. Of course, it's just an O acid in gel form. Works on tons of stuff, lasts a long time. Great for bow mustaches, too.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by thinwater

That's the wrong way to look at it. I'm guessing you didn't like chemistry class.


*Bleach is an oxidizing agent. It acts by breaking bonds within the color bodies in the stain. There is no stronger practical agent. The only think you might try is a paste made with baking soda and beach (it just gives it more dwell time).

*chlorinated bleach - aka sodium hyper-chloride. Bulk of ‘laundry bleach’ is not chlorinated and contain hydrogen peroxide. Also if you visit industrial cleaning stores they have higher concentration chlorinated bleach unlike the stuff you buy at the grocery store.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by scarlet

I'm assuming that the mold or mildew is no longer active.. but that it is just stained. I'm thinking that on the vinyl, I may just try shoe polish over it... But the wood.. that's something different. It's where my clothes will go. I don't want my clothes laying on that...

It can be a bitch to get mold stain out of wood grain. Try oxalic acid (usually sold as teak cleaner at stoopid "marine" prices, you may be able to find it at a good hardware store for much less).

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by scarlet

nope... chemistry bored me!!!

Life is chemistry. In this example, cleaning is almost entirely about understanding the chemistry of the stain.


Understanding the head, paint, solvents, sealants, fuel, gasoline, and even ropes and sail cloth is all about chemistry. It is the language that describes them.