Black Mold

[rcwass]

This was a wet spring and summer. The battery compartment on my 1990 Cruiser is full of Mold. Also in the battery compartment is electrical wires and the fuel fill hose. The bottom of the compartment is open in the back and my fuel tank is below the compartment. Now, how do I get rid of this mold? I can't use Bleach because of the wires and fuel lines. Any idea's? I just saw a Ship Shape TV program that advertised a biodegradable product to get rid of mold but didn't write it down. Need your help. Thanks.

 

[journey on]

Just cleaned out the house shower, and while that joy is still fresh in my mind, have a few (free) comments.

First, try dilute bleach, not the full strength stuff: 10 water to 1 bleach. If you're still worried, try ammonia. Either way, I don't think the wires will be harmed. Use a spray bottle. Or paint brush.

Second, that'll kill the mold, but isn't going to get rid of the black stuff. That took some scrubbing with one of those nylon 3M pads.

Finally, that'll teach both of us to provide ventilation. I'm leaving the shower door open after the weekly shower. You might install a few vents at the top of the battery compartment, which I'm trying to remember to do on Journey On.

Boris

 

[C-Dawg]

I'm leaving the shower door open after the weekly shower.

Weekly? What a waste of water.

 

[BrentB]

I agree with Journey On. Simple Green will work also. Small amount of bleach and hot soapy water will work. Contact time of 10 minutes or longer is recommended along with multiple treatments over time to first kill the growth and remove stains. Making improvements in ventilation, reducing trapped moisture and cleaning to reduce organic mater (dirt, fish parts) will be part of your boat job jar

 

[Grumpy]

Who cleans fish in the shower? :shock:

Merv

 

[jennykatz]

Ship shape TV shows this product works (Rammo) Its for mold and mildew .I havent tried it yet but thinking about ordering it

The mold and mildew down here is unbelievable You have to be on it all the time thats why I would not want a vinyl interior I've had that with Glastron's ,Bayliner's etc .Thats why I love the c-dory style of boat . Anyway going down to the boat and trying to get it cleaned up .

 

[Lucky Day]

RCWASS,
I sent you a PM.

 

[journey on]

Grumpy, where do YOU clean the fish? You can hose down the shower afterward and that's it (unless Judy catches me.)

I've bought a couple of those "mold and mildew" concoctions and they're basically dilute bleach with maybe some detergent. They'll work but they don't do a great job of getting rid of the black stuff.

Boris

 

[Doryman]

The question I have is, what long-term damage does not removing the "black stuff" cause? Is it purely cosmetic?

Warren

 

[Dreamer]

Just a minor point, if you're using bleach, use it with cold water. Somewhere in a food handling class, I heard that hot water defeats the disinfecting action of chlorine bleach. :|

 

[Sea Wolf]

The question I have is, what long-term damage does not removing the "black stuff" cause? Is it purely cosmetic?

Warren

Warren-

The "black stuff" is usually the spores of the fungus threads, which are their reproducing seeds.

As such, they need to be at least sterilized so they can't start new colonies, or, better yet, removed entirely for cosmetic purposes.

Joe. :teeth :thup

 

[Almas Only]

Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover - it works, and it's not expensive.

 

[BrentB]

The question I have is, what long-term damage does not removing the "black stuff" cause? Is it purely cosmetic?

Warren

If nutrients are available, it will thrive, produces spores and spread. If breathed, could cause health issues. Without seeing it, it might be a mold, mildew, slime mold or combo. They can attack wood and stain surfaces either porous or non porous and produce odors which some are noxious.

This wiki has good info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold
along with EPA and CDC web sites