Replies

1. 
   rich1107 | Oct 01, 2005 05:46pm | #1

   This seems to cover the subject pretty well.  Others here will have first hand experience that will be more valuable.  A great thoght on your part; your freind is lucky to have you.  Good luck!

   http://www.wwpa.org/moldff3.htm

1. 
   julianna | Oct 01, 2005 06:40pm | #2

   many thanks for this link.  Should help a lot. Julianna

2. 
   mikegagne | Oct 02, 2005 07:40am | #3

   Julianna, Bleach and detergent work very well on wood but be careful about breathing the spores and the bleach. Also, vinegar can change the ph and kill the mold but it depends on how deep the mold is into the wood fiber. Mediterranean olive will likely withstand the assault of the mold as it has an oil that does not oxidize easily (olive oil). Glues can fail rapidly under these conditions which may necessitate repair of the joints and olive is considered a difficult wood to glue. I love the material and can relate to the desire to return it to use merely from knowing what it looks like not withstanding the emotional attachment to the piece of furniture. The very best of luck to you on this and if you can, let us know how it comes out

1. 
   julianna | Oct 02, 2005 07:48am | #4

   thanks so much for your info and support. we're taking the bed out of the house in the morning - and will start working on the restoration.  it is beautiful and hope we can bring it back. julianna

1. 
   dondownunder | Oct 02, 2005 09:20am | #5

   julianna,

   let us know how it goes - while we can't be there to help we are at least here to give you moral support.

   Don

2. 
   Grizzly | Oct 02, 2005 07:55pm | #6

   The wood should be just fine...joints may need redoing as well as the finish.

   Keep us in the loop... Pics would be great.

   Byron

2. 
   julianna | Oct 02, 2005 09:26pm | #7

   Thanks all for your good info. Took it out this morning and am about to start the cleaning process. - Mike - am wondering if you would suggest a glue that does work with olive wood.  one small step for new orleans...

1. 
   mikegagne | Oct 02, 2005 09:58pm | #10

   Because of the oil in olive wood my only successful glue has been epoxy. I used West System for Oily Woods. This is not a wood you will find many craftsmen having experience with and as such you will likely become your own expert. Heres hoping you dont have to do much reassembly. The material is near priceless where it originates and not generally available in wood markets. If you search or have friends in the middle east you mya be able to acquire some. I believe it also grows in Spain and Portugal. Strangely, on Maui we have a few trees brought by Portugese immigrants over a hundred years ago. I was the lucky recipient of a chunk 15 years ago and I used it as veneer in a few pieces. The stuff looks like marble and has a very pleasant odor. Good luck on your project. aloha, mike

3. 
   EarlKelly | Oct 02, 2005 09:41pm | #8

   Make sure you wash every piece of the bed with a bleach water solution. And you might as well plan on stripping and refinishing while you're at it. Don't be in a hurry the wood needs time to dry out, if you dry it too fast it split and come apart. I would put it in a garage and every couple of days turn on a dehumidifier for 24 hrs. Just make sure the garage is sealed no open windows or doors. That will take a week or two like that or just put it in the garage and forget about it for a few months. Check occasionally for any mold. You will get loose joints and some splits as it drys not much you can do about that.

   I've done several pieces from hurricane Ivan that were floating for a day or less and it took them a while to dry out. Main thing is the mold kill it first then worry about the rest. Also make sure you have them stacked so air can get to all surfaces even put small blocks under the posts end so they can dry at the bottom.

   Good Luck.

   Furniture...the Art of a FurnitureMaker
1. 
   julianna | Oct 02, 2005 09:46pm | #9

   thanks so much - will make sure it has a long time to dry.  julianna

4. 
   WayneL5 | Oct 02, 2005 11:33pm | #11

   Don't use both vinegar and bleach.  Some acids can react with bleach to produce toxic fumes.  I don't know for sure that vinegar is among them, but I would not chance it.

   It's probably not possible in your area, but if the piece were really valuable one of the gentlest methods to preserve the wood would be to refrigerate it, then dry it according to a careful schedule of lowering the humidity.  That would stop the effect of mold right away and allow the wood to dry carefully.  In a humid climate like New Orleans, though, I'd think the wood would not dry too quickly, so it would be best to stop the mold with the bleach solution (mixed according to the WWPA link above), then after a few minutes scrub the surface dry, then let the wood air dry in a shady but not damp place as fast as it wants to.

1. 
   julianna | Oct 03, 2005 07:13pm | #12

   Thanks so much Wayne for this further advice. 

   What I have done so far - yesterday afternoon I sprayed the head and foot boards with "Effective Microorganisms" a non toxic substance some folks are using here to kill mold.  This morning a lot of the mold seemed gone. If I had the time, I would have resprayed and returned,  but as I'm leaving the city for a week, I didn't.

   Instead, I washed it down with Murphy Oil Soap and rinised it twice. Still needs more cleaning.  I resprayed with the EM in hopes of killing any remaining mold and will continue the process when I return.  I really have appreciated all the information that has been given. The bed looks remarkably good so far. julianna