Mold in hard to reach places

Ceto · Post by **Ceto** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:53 pm

I was in the boat today lying down in a cramped part of the boat beneath the cockpit and I noticed that the fiberglass sports a coat of mold extending beyond my reach.

Any advice on how to get rid of mold in those hard to reach places?

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:24 pm

Is the space you need to get to "tiny"? Or is it an open-ish area that is just out of reach?

I'll be a bit general here since I don't know the exact situation, but I don't believe there is any great substitute for actual scrubbing when it comes to mold. I know some folks spray a bleachy solution in to kill the mold and call that good, but I think you still need to remove the "dead stuff." (Not that bleaching isn't effective along with scrubbing.)

Still, if it won't wreck anything, it never hurts to start with soap (or Simple Green, etc.) and a hose. Next, I look around for various cleaning implements that can be put on a stick (it's like the food at the state fair - everything goes on a stick). Something like a broom handle, or one of those threaded-end wooden paint roller extensions makes a good base.

At various times I've taped or "zip tied" scrub brushes, parts of toilet brushes (think large version of a bottle brush), 3M-type pads, old toothbrushes (do label), and more to a stick.

Another "tool" I've found useful is one of those articulating half-sheet sized backers that are meant to be used when you sand joint-compound (Sheet Rock) overhead. I threaded one of those onto my trusty stick, and used it with a 3M pad zip-tied on. (I've also used it with sandpaper.)

Shop Vac of course works well for getting rid of the resulting slumgullion.

Ventilation helps to reduce recurrence (needless to say, perhaps). Also, a smooth surface is better for avoiding the problem. I've even noticed a big difference on flat surfaces out in the open whether they were finished with a matte varnish or a glossy one.

One thing I've read is that mold/mildew like a slightly acid surface (notable since some folks use a vinegar mix to clean mildew). I'm not sure about that but just thought I'd mention it.

Rachel

Triton 185 · Post by **Triton 185** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:29 am

Shop Vac of course works well for getting rid of the resulting slumgullion.

Slumgullion....now that's a word. Hope you don't mind if I borrow it!

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:42 am

Rachel wrote:
Shop Vac of course works well for getting rid of the resulting slumgullion.

You use a shop vac to get rid of beef stew? :)

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:39 am

Hirilondë wrote:You use a shop vac to get rid of beef stew? :)

Hee! Just continuing with my food analogies, I guess. I got started with the "implements on a stick" which made me think of State Fair food (at least where I'm from in the Midwest, they'll put anything "edible" on a stick to sell).

R.

Ceto · Post by **Ceto** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:00 pm

add overcooked vermicelli to your list of food analogies and you'll get an idea of what I found in my bilge yesterday.

The thing is, the hard to reach part if behind the engine... way behind. Anyway, I plan to remove the engine so the problem is moot in the end.

Thanks for the tips though!

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:03 pm

Ceto wrote:Anyway, I plan to remove the engine so the problem is moot in the end.

That's exactly what I did when I wearied of the "cleaning implement on a stick" routine :D