Mold !!

[Tracy Lynne]

Does anyone have experience with this kind of mold on the interior ? This Airstream has been poorly stored for years so there's quite a bit of it on the walls and ceiling. and I want to restore it right away. I really want to avoid taking the siding off. Thanks in advance!

[sgschwend]

Most cleaning methods use a diluted Chlorine solution, spray it on, then wait and wipe it off.

You would need to try a area, and wear a particle mask. Not to claim any expertise as to what all the safety gear should be.

[ALANSD]

seriously? All the old trailers and some newer ones that are improperly stored end up moldy. Clean it up and it will be fine. Protect yourself while doing it
If you store it outside, leave the windows cracked a bit to circulate air throughout.

[A W Warn]

I don't have any allergy to mold. If you do, it might be safer to hire someone to clean it up.

Full strength Lysol on paper towels /wipe clean is one method I have used on plastic parts, but not on the same wall covering as your photo.
Chlorine bleach mixed with water is another option, but is corrosive to the aluminum.

Copied from Clorox website: "See below the instructions from our EPA Master Label for mold/mildew removal using Clorox® Regular-Bleach1. Make a solution of 3/4 cup Clorox® Regular-Bleach1 per gallon of warm water (2700 ppm available chlorine solution) — best practices are to always pre-clean the surfaces of any visible material."

The mold spores will be imbedded in any carpet, curtains, bedding, and upholstery. It may be easier to remove and dispose.

Mold maybe in the wood too. That is the difficult stuff to clean.

add edit:
That much mold means there is water getting inside. Stop the leaks first!

[ijustlee]

I've been told that vinegar will kill mold and also leave an Ozone machine in there for a couple of days to get behind areas you can't reach.

[skitique]

With that much mold on the outside I would be concerned with the mold that may be in the walls.

[Jim & Susan]

This is the stuff you want to use: http://www.wetandforget.com/product_...et_indoor.html

Bleach doesn't kill mold. Wet n forget does. I've used the indoor and outdoor versions and they are the best thing I've ever found to get ride of mold. I used the outdoor version on the roof of my ancient Airstream a couple years ago. No mold to this day. Same on the siding on my house. Indoor version is equally effective, but I haven't used it inside the Airstream (no need to), but have used it inside the house and our daughters house (they had extreme issues). Can be used on most any surface, including aluminum, plastics, vinyl, wood, concrete. Completely non-toxic.

Read up on the product on the website and follow the directions. "Use as Directed", as they say. It's one of those products that sounds too good to be true, but it's "for real". Best home improvement/handy man product I've run across in years.

Let me know if you have questions. I love this product.

Jim

[ALANSD]

Good tip Jim, I see Lowes carries that

[Reroy612]

Going to try it on the inside of 1954 22' Safari. Will update. Thanks.

[A W Warn]

I've been using Wet and Forget just this week. It's good stuff!!
The Wet and Forget Shower product on the shelf at Lowes is shower cleaner. It works great for that purpose.
Wet and Forget Outdoors might be a better application for mold like is shown in post #1.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

I don't have any allergy to mold. If you do, it might be safer to hire someone to clean it up.

You don't need to be allergic to mold. Black mold is toxic whether you're allergic or not. I had a coworker— the only Corps of Engineers employee to die in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina— die from inhaling black mold spores in his own house after it was flooded. He died of Legionaire's Disease as a result. So if you tackle the removal on your own, make sure to wear at least a painter's dust mask, if not a respirator, and scrub off the mold while it's still thoroughly wet from whatever you used to kill it; sopping wet mold doesn't release spores into the air where you can inhale them.

If you use vinegar as a mold killer, my own adventures in mold removal have left me believing that white wine vinegar works better than apple cider vinegar. But your mileage may vary.

Instead— or in addition to— of an ozone machine, an ultraviolet grow lamp should also kill mold. You won't see much mold in any location that gets direct sunlight, because UV kills it.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You don't need to be allergic to mold. Black mold is toxic whether you're allergic or not. << snip >>

I've been exposed to black mold more than a few times, before I new better. But, I'm still here and I have had no reaction to it.

You are correct, black mold can be toxic! So everyone should be extremely careful!

Some good reading here:
https://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

I've been exposed to black mold more than a few times, before I new better.

Luckily, not all exposure results in inhaling the spores, which I'm sure is why you're still okay. That's the key— make sure you can't breathe the stuff in.

[Jim & Susan]

For those of you that are concerned about Toxic mold, look for a kit called "the 5 minute mold test kit". It runs about $30, I think. It only looks for stuff that will harm you, not just everyday mold. Mold exists in the air we breathe, so it's common in the normal environment. The 5 minute kit works like those pregnancy tests that you probably are familiar with. You swab an area and wait a few minutes and see how many lines turn a different color (no, not kidding). There's no need to mail anything to a lab. If you have toxic mold, then it's time to talk to a professional mold remediation team. In other words, don't risk it.

Remember, I'm just a guy, not a bio-chemist. Rely on professionals if the need arises, etc, etc.

Good luck. Let's be safe out there.

Jim

[perryg114]

Bleach kills everything. That is why it is used as a sanitizer for water systems and pools etc. You could also use hydrogen peroxide. Try in a small area and see if it works. Oxy carpet cleaner might work as well. It is carpet cleaner with peroxide in it. Wear gloves and a mask with any of this stuff.

Perry

[AtomicNo13]

Bleach, does not kill all mold. It only bleaches it.
Bleach will not kill mold on porous materials.

[A W Warn]

There are many myths and half truths concerning mold.
These cause a lot of unnecessary fear.

If you really want to know, take a moment ......

GOOD READING HERE:

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1

[perryg114]

There is a difference between killing it and removing stains. It may kill it but leave a stain.

Perry

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

Bleach, does not kill all mold. It only bleaches it.
Bleach will not kill mold on porous materials.