Name: |
Buteye
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/15/2012 10:27:12 PM (updated 11/15/2012 10:28:24 PM)
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On 9/8/2012 Hawks Nest asked if anyone had used Zep Clear Shell Mold & Mildew Cleaner. If anyone has used it , please report on the results. If it worked, provide some details on any pre-cleaning that was done before applying the Zep product along with any other information that might be helpful. Thanks.
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Name: |
CAT BOAT
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 8:58:44 AM
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Go to Dollar General and get Mean Green "Mildew Distroyer". Spray it on in the sun, wait a little while and wash it off. Really, its that good. Call Steven today at the Lake Store, he will explain. 256-825-3388
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Name: |
Lifer
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 10:26:06 AM
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The active ingredient is BLEACH in the Mean Green stuff, just like all the others that work. Save the money and use weak bleach water. Anybody that doesn't believe me I challenge you to go to the stores, read the labels and come back and call me out. This conversation comes up every year, and so far nobody has offered to refute the fact that sodium hipochloride is the active ingredient in all the 'mold and mildew' removing products just as it is in Clorox Bleach. It won't eat your stitching any more than it eats your tighty whiteys when you use bleach on them.
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Name: |
CAT BOAT
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 11:10:39 AM
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I have indeed seen Randy mix his on cleaner and it was extremely effective. And Lifer, are you wearing "whitey tightes" again?
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Name: |
Buteye
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 12:30:58 PM
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Thanks for the comments. I agree that a little bleach mixed with water does a good job of removing mildew. What I am trying to find out is if the Zep product works in preventing the mildew from returning once it is applied after the mildew has been removed. I hope Hawks Nest sees this and can report on his experience with Zep. I did find that both Lowes and Home Depot carry the Zep product. It costs around $8.50/quart and $20.95/gallon.
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Name: |
greycove
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 12:57:15 PM
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Will let you know about my experence with Zep Clear Shell Mold & Mildew Cleaner. Tried it this time on my pontoon for the first time. Am also using a blue tarp over the boat cover this time. Boat cover is more of a dust cover than a water repellant.
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Name: |
GoneFishin
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Subject: |
Buteye
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Date:
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11/16/2012 4:40:41 PM
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Call Zep and ask them. I am always had great exepriences whenever I have called companies for technical advise and I do it often.
Zep number 1-877-428-9937
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Name: |
Lifer
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 5:47:28 PM
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I have my doubts about anything that claims to prevent mold/mildew. They both are spores floating around in the air. If they land/attach to any surface they start to multiply. IMHO you will have better luck with any moisture absorbing product as the spores are more plentiful in damp air. Second and just as important is air flow. It is easier for the spores to attach in stagnant air. Simple charcoal will absorb moisture. Pour it in some type of container and store it under the cover. A flatter pan will work best as it has more exposed surface area. If it is possible you can place a fan under the cover also to circulate air. You can add a timer to the fan so as to keep the air flowing and reduce power consumption and also reduce chances of the fan motor burning out and causing catastrophic failure.
Just my opinion and experience from a lifetime of fighting the little buggers.
Good luck.
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Name: |
Mack
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 6:44:00 PM
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That is good advice. Listen. A dry environment and air circulation prevent mildew. Fact. Clean it up well first. Then, place a small exhaust fan, on a timer, somewhere under the cover where it can circulate/exhaust air under the cover. That works for a lake house that goes unused for a long time as well (de-humidifier).
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Name: |
wix
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Subject: |
Goofy
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Date:
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11/16/2012 8:04:17 PM
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That's why you voted for o-BAMA. You called him and asked for advice. I'll go with Lifer.
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Name: |
houseboat
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 10:52:14 PM
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My choice has been Jomax for a very long time.
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Name: |
MrHodja
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Subject: |
Strength Matters
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Date:
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11/16/2012 11:51:16 PM
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Treast those whitey tighties with full strength bleach and you'll end up with whitey holies.
You are indeed correct that the most effective mildew killers contain hypochlorite. Mildew preventers don't. Someone recommended Lysol spray as a preventer; I used a commercial killer on the seats in our toon and it indeed killed the mildew. After that treatment I sprayed the seats down with the WalMart version of Lysol spray (same ingredients) and so far the mildew hasn't returned (but the boat is covered with a new cover and it has been a dry fall).
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Name: |
MrHodja
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 11:54:20 PM
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See my post above. Lysol spray seems to be an effective preventer, and I believe I bought a can of the WalMart generic for about three or four bucks. It easily did all the upholstery on our 22 ft toon.
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Name: |
MrHodja
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/16/2012 11:57:46 PM
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Indeed mildew has to have dirt to feed on so a clean surface is less likely to succumb.
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Name: |
Lifer
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/17/2012 1:12:27 PM
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Lysol spray sounds as reasonable as any to prevent growth on clean surfaces. The big question is how long will a treatment last. Probably a good idea to spray another can or two under the cover every few weeks. It is cheap enough to have the added assurance. Being clean and dry before tucking away is the best defense for sure.
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Name: |
Hawks Nest
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/17/2012 11:05:06 PM
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Since I began using it, I've only seen one small spot where mildew grew. I can only believe this spot was not cleaned as directed before applying the product. I clean it, and reapplied and have seen no more. I have reapplied a couple of times using the spray bottle fine mist. My past experience is that my boat would be covered in mildew times over by now. I usually clean it several times during the fall/winter. I do not anticipate taking the cover off till spring. I do not know if the product will work for you, but I am definitely sold on it. Personally, I can't help but believe a bleach product is bad as the manufacturers strongly discourage it and they have nothing to gain by doing so. Lowes sells the gallon size, Home Depot in Auburn only has the quart. But if you try this, be mindful of the Zep product you pick up. The one I am using is "Clear Shell", a product of the crabbing industry containing Chitosan. There is another Zep product mildew inhibitor that DOES contain bleach.
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Name: |
Hawks Nest
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/17/2012 11:10:10 PM
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Also, for the initial cleaning, I used the Zep product cleaner that is orange (citrus). The initial cleaning is important. I'd also like to hear from any other users.
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Name: |
4thelake
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/18/2012 12:04:39 PM
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Please do not use bleach on your vinyl. It damages the properties in the fabric and it will cause decay in the stitching. I see it every day. Mary Kate mold and mildew remover or starbrite are the best that I have found.
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Name: |
Hawks Nest
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Subject: |
Mildew Treatment
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Date:
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11/18/2012 3:06:27 PM
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But if you prevent it, you won't have to remove it. Just returned from the boat and it has been another week with zero growth.
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