Mold on paper mache

[Anonymous]

Anyone have an idea on how to prevent mold from growing on paper mache? I made some mountians using that and in a day I had mold. Is there anything I can add to the mix that would prevent this form happening?

My layout is in a room in my shop that is very well insulated, so it is cool in the summer and in the winter I heat it only when I am in there. I was thinking about installing electric baseboard heat and keeping it set at like 60 year round. Electric heat tends to be pretty dry, I thought that might help. ANy suggestions on what I can add to my mix?

Thanks

[cacole]

You might try plain bleach or Lysol disinfectant cleaner, Pine-Sol, or something similar with a disinfectant in it. Mold forming after only one day really sounds weird -- maybe there's something in the water you used? Mold should not form that quick.

[orsonroy]

Spray the paper machie with 91% isopropyl alcohol to kill the mold (be sure to spray ALL exposed surfaces, even the underside if it shows). As soon as the paper machie is dry again (a couple of hours), wipe off the mountains and paint them, preferably two coats (underside too!).

The alcohol will kill the mold and the paint will seal it. The paper machie molded because it's partially natural material. That's one reason why I generally don't use ANY natural material on my layout. I once went downstairs to find a 1'x6' marsh I painstakingly superdetailed with lots of dried plant material turned into a white puffball. The mold went nuts. I've also heard of other modelers who have had entire mountains and forests eaten by mice!

[jrbarney]

Ross182,
When you paint it, I suggest you use KILZ or one of the other pigmented shellacs that is used to seal moldy or stained wallboard before finish painting. Alternatively, there are other primers that advertise they include a fungicide. Check with the paint department at a good hardware store or a place like Lowes, Home Depot or Menards.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

Mold in only one day, probably means that the paper you used (more than the water as you probably used tap water) was contaminated. What paper did you use? Also, it doesn't matter if the room is dry or not, as the paper mache is damp in the first place, the mold takes it's water from there.

The advice I would give you would be to use clean and new paper, not something that has been lying somewhere in the house for years and that you thought of using there in order to actually use it for something (as it's usually too old to write on), and add some baking soda to the mix. Molds will prefer acidic places, that's why you often find molds on tomatos and citrus fruits, the baking soda will turn the pH to alkaline and thus offer a non friendly place for the molds to grow.

[nslakediv]

make sure you clean all surfaces and hands when finished, mold spores are very harmful.

[Anonymous]

Also try to speed up the drying process when using moist materials.Take it outdoors if possible. I like sun-dried mountains (especially with a pasta sauce with a little basil & asiago cheese. - Sorry) Also keep some air flowing within the shell of your mountains while drying.

Diluted bleach will kill even the nastiest & deadly molds.

Wayne

[cwclark]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Spray the paper machie with 91% isopropyl alcohol to kill the mold (be sure to spray ALL exposed surfaces, even the underside if it shows). As soon as the paper machie is dry again (a couple of hours), wipe off the mountains and paint them, preferably two coats (underside too!).

The alcohol will kill the mold and the paint will seal it. The paper machie molded because it's partially natural material. That's one reason why I generally don't use ANY natural material on my layout. I once went downstairs to find a 1'x6' marsh I painstakingly superdetailed with lots of dried plant material turned into a white puffball. The mold went nuts. I've also heard of other modelers who have had entire mountains and forests eaten by mice!

the two coats of paint is good but i would first apply a coat of KILTZ undercoating primer...KILTZ retards the growth of mold.....