Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Cabinet - black stuff

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Expert: - 6/6/2011


Question
cabinet picture
cabinet picture
I have a question for expert. We have a light maple wood cabinets in our kitchen. It's been couple of weeks we have found that some black stuff is growing. As you can see in the picture, this part is in the bottom area of the countertop. It is not wet and fungi but it is growing very slowly. When i tried to clean with sand paper it seems to be clearing but I’m not feeling safe.

Could you please tell me what it is and is there any treatment to remove this?

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Shardul, It certainly looks to me like some kind of mold issue.  I wouldn't sand any more of it because that may put it into the air which could be unsafe.  I think perhaps a bleach solution should be used. Test the bleach on a hidden area of cabinet first.  the solution should be no stronger than 1 part bleach, 2 parts water.  If the bleach test changes the color of the wood, use hydrogen peroxide 1 pt hp-1 part water.  

Mold is no joke. please use safety precautions.  

Warnings and Precautions

Use caution and care when working with any chemical, especially bleach. When using a spray bottle a fine mist can be produced that could irritate your lungs. (Personal Experience)

   Never mix bleach with ammonia or acidic cleaners. A toxic gas will be produced.
   Wear protective clothing, eyewear and gloves.
   A chemical respirator is recommended to protect your lungs from mold spores or the strong bleach smell.


Read more: http://www.house-painting-info.com/cleaning-mold.html#ixzz1OX11S2I0

maura macaluso

Expertise

I can answer most questions, regarding, wood sculpture, wood carving, carving tools and accessories and different types of woods.I am not an appraiser of carvings nor an antique dealer.

Experience

I do full design work, custom carving, restoration, fabrication, repair and refinishing. I can take a piece of raw wood and turn it into a work of art and I can help you do the same. I am "the" carving instructor for the new york city parks dept. I am heavily involved in carving on the internet and belong to many, many mail lists which are quite active. I am also an international promoter of woodcarving and am affiliated with many master carvers, notably nora hall, originally from holland, now in the U.S. and kalina pavlova, a bulgarian master carver. I routinely communicate with the top names in professional woodcarving nationally and internationally.

Organizations
the national association of woodcarvers. the woodcarvers of queens NY, the staten island woodcarvers. the northeast woodcarving association. the world wide carving internet list

Publications
chip chats-the national magazine of woodcarving. also at www.carvinginnyc.com

Education/Credentials
Self taught artist and sculptor, 40 years of drawing and painting as a hobby, 5 years of serious woodsculpting. I have my own website and have written a 300 pg book on carving. I have published online tutorials and pictorial projects

Awards and Honors
many first place awards

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