Mold Mildew and Gatorboard

[ChuckT]

We are a small shop and order gatorboard in what I would call "broken lots", 3 (full, 48x96) sheets of this, 4 of that, etc.

Broken is a good description (!) because the last, but one, shipment looked like gorillas had packed it. Corner(s) were broken and the box was penetrated in several places. The vendor shall remain nameless but made it good with a replacement shipment.

However - I believe I notice a strong presence of mold and mildew on the board surface.

So - has anyone also experienced this with gatorboard?

Is there a quick test for mold/mildew, something on the line of pad or applicator to swipe the surface? If I wipe the surface with alcohol, bleach or another commercial product and let it dry will that effect the bond of the dry mount tissue?

cvt

 

[05]

You don't want bleach near anything you are going to frame. You will not be able to rinse it away, and it stays active, even if dry, and eats away at things for quite some time. It is HIGHLY alkaline.
Isopropyl alcohol in 70% solution will be somewhat effective. It will de-activate FOR now any spores that are there, but will not effect any spores that are embedded in the paper. It will not kill any spores; when conditions are right, they will re-activate.

 

[Rob Markoff]

Are you sure it isn't the formaldehyde you are smelling?

Have you read/do you have the MSDS for Gatorboard?

We had a contract a while ago where we had to cut hundreds of sheets of gator. We had to open the cases and let them air out because the outgassing was so strong.

Gator that has been stored in the cartons could still need to be aired out.