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Mildew

Black, gray or brown spots or areas on the surface of paint or caulk.
Mildew
Mildew

Mildew

(Growth of mold/fungi especially in humid and warm climates). Black, gray or brown spots or areas on the surface of paint or caulk. Mildew is not caused by paint, it is caused by fungi feeding on oil contained in paints or on thickeners in latex coatings. Fungi also feed on nutrients underneath the paint film. Lengthy periods of warm, moist conditions can activate spores on what appears to be a clean surface.

Possible causes

  • Forms most often on areas that tend to be damp, or receive little or no direct sunlight.
  • Painting over a substrate or coating that is already contaminated.
  • Mildew contaminated homes will contaminate other homes in the area.

Solution

  • Test for mildew by applying a few drops of household bleach to the area; if it is bleached away, the discoloring is probably mildew, if it is simply dirt the bleach will have no effect. All mildew stained surfaces should be washed with a solution of one to two cups of household bleach per gallon of warm water before painting. Remove all mildew from the surface by scrubbing with a diluted household bleach solution. Surface should be scrubbed to loosen attached spores. You must allow the bleached solution to remain on the surface for at least 45 minutes, observing changes in the color of the mildew. Rinse the surface with water to remove all residues. Consider installing an exhaust fan in high moisture areas.
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© YEAR AVF Paints Antilliaanse Verffabriek B.V. All Rights Reserved.
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