Mold on Wood Sleep Platform

Is this worth trying to salvage or should I throw it out and make a new one?

There are multiple spots thats looks like this and I am sure there are some spots under the carpet.

 

Bleach it and see what happens.

 

This^

 

You could also slap some Kilz anti mold over it.

The thing would look nice with a coat of paint anyways.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

I have no specific expertise, but I have heard there are some black molds that are serious hazards to health and you do not "make amateur attempts" with them. Not many, I think, but commercial "environmental remediation" firms know.

 

I'd start over, including new carpet. This time paint the entire plywood sheet with Killz. I did that for my battery box, then spray painted over it a different color. Then, attach the carpet. Any wood in a bed build should be painted to help seal it up, even under a canopy. It'll last way longer, and make it possible to clean it up since everything will be on the surface, and not get into the wood.

 

x3 on Kilz if you're going to save it.

 

I used polyurethane on a wooden towel rack for my bathroom back in 2020 (metal on the wall too narrow, wanted rack with multiple towel positions). Despite almost daily use holding wet towels it still shows no sign of mold. Only applied one more coat of poly about 2 years ago mainly because I reinforced one of the joints with dowels and had to seal those anyway and re-covered all.

The make marine grade "spar urethane" that seals against storm winds and rain. You might make an absorbed-seal by using "Seal-A-Cell" and "Arm-R-Seal" ... those are specific product names from "General Finishes" (https://generalfinishes.com/wood-fi...wood-stains-sealers/oil-based-seal-cell-clear). "Seal-A-Cell" does absorb below the surface preventing deep liquid penetration.

 

This forum is full of people obsessed with all-things-woodworking ... they discuss "sealing wood" at least once a week ... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/any-woodworkers.271012/page-675#post-30044141

 

Shoulda sealed it first but that's neither here nor there now but it's no big deal as long as it's not growing into the wood; it appears to be just on the surface at this point. Take it outside and scrub it with a brush and whatever you have that kills mold and mildew without leaving an oily residue (wear an appropriately rated respirator if you're worried about it or depending on the product you're using), after it's cleaned as well as you can get it, set in the sun to thoroughly dry, paint with a mildew rated primer (there are various types including several versions of Kilz but their Mold and Mildew formula works well and is interior/exterior rated) then another coat of appropriate paint if desired.

Check the seals on your shell for leaks and fix as needed. After sleeping in the back, air it out as best you can in the morning (you ought to be airing out your sleeping bag and bedding if possible anyways), I also open at least the driver's side window on the shell when leaving wherever I camped (since it's easy to see and remember I opened it and shut it from outside) and it doesn't hurt to carry a can of Lysol or whatever that you can spray in the back (also handy for campground bathrooms).

 

Given it is mold ... I would use some heat source (hair dryer?) to predry. Use the mask, as you advised. Use a powered sander with dust collection to prevent mold hitting the air. The sander allowed digging deeper under the surface.

A product that absorbs below the surface to seal deeper will remove air from anything deeper underneath ... I know Seal-a-Cell can absorb without leaving a hard shell, allowing choice of surface sealants. Maybe two coats of Seal-a-Cell.

Tricky stuff, this.