MDF mould rescue or ditch?

moneysaver1978

Purchased these shelves from Amazon late last year for the shed (Black Friday maybe) and haven’t had any issues until the mould appeared a couple of months ago.

Checking the reviews, it seems to be a common issue.

I had already sprayed with vinegar and wiped (and outside in the sun) but they seem to have came back a month later. And on both sides.

I have sprayed again (with vengeance!) today outside but now wondering if it’s too late now to paint or should I bite the bullet and replace with new wood?

What are your thoughts?

Emmia

I'd get rid.

ThisIsWeird

Do you have a link to them on Amazon?
Are they still solid? If so, of course they are worth keeping.
It would help to know what they are made from - the front edge suggests plywood, but not sure if that's just a trim?
What products do you have available to you? 
Meanwhile, if you try ventilating the shed more, it might help - a good draught through there should get it dry.
What do you use the shed for? What's in there?

teaselMay

I'm someone who regularly acquires other people's old wooden stuff but even I'd bin those. MDF isn't good in a damp environment, I don't think you'll be able to get and keep those dry and hygienic.

flashg67

I had the same - I bought a sheet of OSB and cut it down to make new shelves. The frames aren't great either but seem ok when more than one is bolted together and/or screwed to the wall behind

Liverpool85

Mdf will just keep getting damp in a shed
id recommend some cheap plastic shelving- we got some from Argos that works well and no mould 

moneysaver1978

Thank you all! Shelves in question: https://amzn.eu/d/6bnJomi

I have lawn mower, some tools, paint (on the floor), charcoal bag, and a few household items (as we have no garage).

It’s draughty and dry inside. Otherwise no liquid.

I’d be ok to replace the wood with other type or if economical, replace whole thing. But if painting would solve the issue, I could paint too.

Just thinking if I should buy a tin of paint, new wood shelving (cut to size), or new set of shelves. 😅

@Liverpool85 do you by any chance have a link?

ThisIsWeird

The listing is pretty vague. It says the shelves are 5mm MDF - that surely can't be correct as it would be far too weak.
Are the shelves sagging? Is the surface going soft? Have they swelled up?
Could you lift a shelf out and photograph the edge, and if possible measure it?
Bottom line - if the shelves haven't actually weakened or gone soft, then - yes - painting them should do the trick. I would, tho', wait for warmer drier weather, or take them indoors for a week to be bone dry first.
Does the stuff scrape off quite easily? 
 

FrugaiMacDugal

Clean them, let them dry, then seal them with pva, if that doesn't work then bin them.

Grenage

ThisIsWeird said:

The listing is pretty vague. It says the shelves are 5mm MDF - that surely can't be correct as it would be far too weak.
 

Alas, 5mm is pretty common for these type of shelves.  It will generally be ok unless there's a hint of damp - then they warp and fall out of the supports.

ThisIsWeird

FrugaiMacDugal said:

Clean them, let them dry, then seal them with pva, if that doesn't work then bin them.

If the OP has suitable paint already, then just use it.
If you want to 'seal' MDF, then SBR might be a good bet, as it'll soak in well, and is water-resistant, and will act as a good primer for a decorative top coat.
Or possibly just clean it up and give it a coat of silicone sealer as used on bricks and concrete - that'll should soak in well too, but forget trying to paint it afterwards.
What paints do you have to hand, OP?