Treatment against mold/mildew stains on bamboo

[Mark Mortimer]

Hi there. I make fence panels from split bamboo.
The interesting thing is that it has an...
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/524/thumbs/31DSCN1209.jpg "inside" (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=271) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/524/thumbs/31DSCN1207.jpg "outside" (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=270) .
I like this effect, but the back side, which used to be the inside of the culm, goes black and mottled very quickly. Now some people might like this effect of ageing, but others don't. Also if these panels are used as a boundary they will probably be facing out to the street or whatever, meaning that the view from the house or garden is the back side. So my question is this: does anyone know of a substance which can be used as a preseravtive / mould or mildew inhibitor? I'm thinking of something similar to a Borate solution, which is straightforward to use esp. with splits (just soak them) and also of low toxicity. I'd use a borate, except for the fact that it is water soluble, and therefore will leach out of anything open to the elements like a fence panel

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Mark,
Love your fencework!
...often wondered if those algael spores that cause the dark staining could be made into a dye or stain?...it's nigh on impossible to remove without using a type(?) of bleach once it stains the inner walls of a culm.

I would think that if the starch content in the bamboo was reduced to a minimum, it would deprive the spore of their food.
There's ways to do this, eg by water soaking and/or sunbleaching, but it does add more labour to the work process.
Another option would be to apply a pleasing stain (spray or brush and wipe) to the backside, maybe a waterbased one, ( so that if any got on the front surface, it could be easily wiped off.
...basic philosophy being that if one can't eliminate the problem... to work with it so that it becomes complimentary rather then an `eyesore'.
Mottling is certainly related to climate and humidity, and can vary from species to species, one place to another, even one side of the fence to the other.
This subject would make a good (school) classroom research project.
Mark

[Charissa Brock]

Hello to the Marks,
This is my debut on the board so I hope I am doing this right.

I have tried dying mildew-ed material. The dark spots just get darker. I have also heat cured (Unknowingly) mildewed material and then tried splitting it. Yuck. The mildew turns very brittle and the bamboo doesnt want to split evenly.
If I were to make a fence I would weave two panels with the intention of having the skin facing out on both sides. It makes for a more costly fence, but some might be willing to pay for that, if your selling.
Charissa

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Charissa! Thanks for writing!
Yeah aren't those spore spots pernacious!
I guess another approach could be `if ya can't beat 'em - join 'em!', and use the paint on a tooth brush trick and speckle spots all over, like it is part of the design!

The mildew turns very brittle and the bamboo doesnt want to split evenly.
This can be an indication that the culm never fully matured too. I've made paper out of immature culms, splitting them first, and if they don't split easily, they're not worth they're pulp.
Mark