Serious Fungus

[wassachu]

Please refer to: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactS...leryfungus.htm
My new home is built in the woods. When they built my home they cleared the lot, hauled off the logs and chipped the branches into a large pile in the woods. Later when I moved in I parked my boat on the edge of the woods next to this large pile of oak and pine wood chips. After a few months I started to notice these tiny, hard shelled, black spots all over my boat from the hard top to the trailer. I can scrape the hard shells off but the black tary substance stains the fiberglass. I've tried a large quantity of products and nothing touches these spots. Including: MEK, Acetone, Paint Thinner, Bleach, On-OFF Bottom Cleaner(contains a mild acid), Rubbing Compounds, and many cleaners. Nothing touches these spots. I called in a Marine Surveyor and a Boat Finisher and both agreed 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper sanding wet followed by rubbing compound, a polishing compound and a wax. A lot of work for this old body. My boat is a 1990 and seen a lot of sun was it's oxidized. Should have seen more wax but it's too late now. Insurance company says it's a mold or mildew so not covered.

Please keep your toys away from wood chips. I'd hate see others go through this.

[Robja]

I am not sure where you live but if you live down south or in an area that has termites I would recommend getting the wood chips as far away from your house as you. That black spot would be the least of you worries if you end up with termites. Insurance doesn't cover termite damage. Termites love wood chips and when they run out of good wood there they will tunnel back to your house.

[Buddy H]

Sounds like spider pooooooooh

[sopranospizzaland]

Its called artillery fungus. There is nothing that can take it off. This can happen to houses and cars from mulch that has been put down. As the mulch breaks down and has to much water (stays wet for long periods) the fungus grows and then sends out its seed which can go 20-30'. Cornell has been studying this and has no answer how to remove. Good luck.

[ais24]

I had them on my last house after I put new mulch down. I tried everything and the only thing that worked was scrapping them off sanding and repainting. I also replaced the mulch with stone. They were a pain to get off!!!

[wassachu]

Please refer to: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactS...leryfungus.htm
My new home is built in the woods. When they built my home they cleared the lot, hauled off the logs and chipped the branches into a large pile in the woods. Later when I moved in I parked my boat on the edge of the woods next to this large pile of oak and pine wood chips. After a few months I started to notice these tiny, hard shelled, black spots all over my boat from the hard top to the trailer. I can scrape the hard shells off but the black tary substance stains the fiberglass. I've tried a large quantity of products and nothing touches these spots. Including: MEK, Acetone, Paint Thinner, Bleach, On-OFF Bottom Cleaner(contains a mild acid), Rubbing Compounds, and many cleaners. Nothing touches these spots. I called in a Marine Surveyor and a Boat Finisher and both agreed 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper sanding wet followed by rubbing compound, a polishing compound and a wax. A lot of work for this old body. My boat is a 1990 and seen a lot of sun was it's oxidized. Should have seen more wax but it's too late now. Insurance company says it's a mold or mildew so not covered.

Please keep your toys away from wood chips. I'd hate see others go through this.

This needs to be re-visited. I'm still scrubbing these spots. I've since found a product called GoJo which is an Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner that is removing these spots but with a lot of scrubbing. One notch better then sandpaper. I've removed this pile of wood chips so hopefully I can beat this stuff. This fungus is active in the spring and fall so PLEASE keep your toys away from wood chips. I'd hate to see others go through this.