Hello.

Boat I just bought has some mildew spots on caulking of trim and on
the plastic parts.

I understand products X-14 and Javex might be able to get these out.

Anybody know where I can find these products in South Florida. Home
Depot and Autozone don't seem to carry them.

Any other products known to work?

Anybody ever paint over caulking to get rid of the spots? does that
work in marine environment and if so, any special kind of paint? Or
maybe I could remove some of the caulking and re-caulk? if so, any
suggested caulk best for marine and to resist mildew spots?

Thanks for *any* help or info.

Mildew -mold is only easily killed by Sodium Hypochlorate, The comon
ingrediant in x-14 or Bleach , household bleach. Wipe it on if it
changes color its mold.
Actualy mold is a plant , so Roundup should work, , but i never tried it
Kill it first, dont paint or caulk over it.

Mildew -mold is only easily killed by Sodium Hypochlorate, The comon
ingrediant in x-14 or Bleach , household bleach. Wipe it on if it
changes color its mold.
Actualy mold is a plant , so Roundup should work, , but i never tried it
Kill it first, dont paint or caulk over it.

Mold isnt all that easy to identify.
Many things look like mold .... like accumulations of 'air pollution
specs', artillery fungus, etc.
X14 (available in grocery stores) and of course chlorox .... only kills
the mold and leaves a residue that gets 'eaten' by something else. .

Strong caustic detergents containing lye (extreme caution) or sodium
silicates such as "tuff-eNuff" .... (made in S. Florida) available
through West Marine will DISSOLVE the cells. If X-14 doesnt 'so the
trick' go to a janitorial supply and get a strong caustic detergent -
(read the safety precautions).

"Artillery fungus" is a common attacker of unprotected/unwaxed gelcoat
and other boat surfaces. It looks like a haze of "little black spots".
You'll need a strong caustic detergent to dissolve it. For recurring
infections of artillery fungus, wipe on one of the clear non-greasy
"athletes foot" remedies .... or any compound containing TIN.

Mold isnt all that easy to identify.
Many things look like mold .... like accumulations of 'air pollution
specs', artillery fungus, etc.
X14 (available in grocery stores) and of course chlorox .... only kills
the mold and leaves a residue that gets 'eaten' by something else. .

Strong caustic detergents containing lye (extreme caution) or sodium
silicates such as "tuff-eNuff" .... (made in S. Florida) available
through West Marine will DISSOLVE the cells. If X-14 doesnt 'so the
trick' go to a janitorial supply and get a strong caustic detergent -
(read the safety precautions).

"Artillery fungus" is a common attacker of unprotected/unwaxed gelcoat
and other boat surfaces. It looks like a haze of "little black spots".
You'll need a strong caustic detergent to dissolve it. For recurring
infections of artillery fungus, wipe on one of the clear non-greasy
"athletes foot" remedies .... or any compound containing TIN.

I just applied clorox to the problem areas (black spots on the caulk
around the trim and some plastic parts. The clorox did little on the
caulking. However on plastic parts it left them looking new. In the
caulk, I can see that the spots are not just on the surface, they are
deep and maybe even behind the caulk. I will try some of the
detergents you've suggested and then will look into removing the caulk
and reapplying something more resistive to mold and the elements. I
let the clorox sit for about 10 minutes and then tried to wash the
whole boat best I could. The gel coat on the boat is in perfect shiny
condition - it's a 99 with very low hours. I just hope all the
chemicals and clorox to hurt the get coat.

Any suggestion for product to safely remove the caulking? Good Caulk
that will resist mold and the elements, and good wax or products to
maintain the gel coat shiny and new?

Thanks for the information!

I just applied clorox to the problem areas (black spots on the caulk
around the trim and some plastic parts. The clorox did little on the
caulking. However on plastic parts it left them looking new. In the
caulk, I can see that the spots are not just on the surface, they are
deep and maybe even behind the caulk. I will try some of the
detergents you've suggested and then will look into removing the caulk
and reapplying something more resistive to mold and the elements. I
let the clorox sit for about 10 minutes and then tried to wash the
whole boat best I could. The gel coat on the boat is in perfect shiny
condition - it's a 99 with very low hours. I just hope all the
chemicals and clorox to hurt the get coat.

Any suggestion for product to safely remove the caulking? Good Caulk
that will resist mold and the elements, and good wax or products to
maintain the gel coat shiny and new?

Thanks for the information!