Attack of the Mold! (Help Wanted)

"Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes" (sovereign-automotive) 12/31/2015 at 19:56 • Filed to: Mold

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What does Oppo do to keep mold out of their weekend cars/projects/not-daily-driven vehicles in wet climates?

Went for a drive in the e24 today due to the small break in the weather we’ve been having and the insanity that is the holidays when I came across quite a bit of mold. Unfortunately, there’s only space for one vehicle in the garage, and it’s usually taken by something I’m working on. Now that the e24 is nearing completion it doesn’t get much garage time, leading to it sitting out in PNW weather most of the time. I realize some of my seals are aging, but none are bad enough to allow any signs of actual standing water anywhere in the cabin, and at over $300 per door for parts, isn’t the highest on my priorities right now.

So how can I prevent this from happening again? Would a car cover help, or exacerbate the problem? Anyone have any good recommendations for cleaning it up next time I get a chance to put it in the garage? Your thoughts are appreciated!

ClassicDatsunDebate > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:05

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I can smell that from here :)

I’ve used Dry-as-Air in the past. works good.

http://www.drizair.com/

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:06

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PNWer here. Had this problem back when I owned too many cars. One thing is: carve out time to run the car. Having it run, with the heater up, is helpful, cracked windows if necessary, and when you see condensation in the windows, take some paper towels and absorb any moisture you can. I also use a dehumidifier for a water leak I have. Works great to suck out water you can’t see or reach. You just have to add it all into your routine. Mold loves to jump on seatbelts and threads in stitching in your seats.

And if you have a trunk, inspect it! A little moisture gets in there, it gets a little colder outside, next thing you know it’s a biohazard after a few weeks.

RallyWrench > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:12

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Oh god Borbet Type As... so good! To keep water out, cover it then strap a tarp over the cover. If it’s moisture getting past failed seals, maybe some kind of a dessicant bag inside the car would help. Trunk seals are a common problem with E24s, and they’re very hard to get to fit properly. The taillight gaskets will also crumble and allow moisture in, so it’s worth popping one out for a look.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:14

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Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > ClassicDatsunDebate 12/31/2015 at 20:20

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Yep, I have one of those little cages as my old mazda tribute had the same problem on a much smaller scale. I was planning on refilling it and throwing it in the back but if these things spill with water absorbed it makes for quite a nasty mess. Perhaps I’ll just use it when not driving the car, if I can remember to put it back everytime.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/31/2015 at 20:25

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I try to at least once a week! Which then turns into once a month, especially this time of year. I’ve also been really slacking on cleaning it, the engine bay is probably cleaner than the interior sans the mold. All good ideas though, thanks for the input!

Svend > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:26

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First off. Before doing anything with the car open the doors and let the car vent for a while (you don’t want to be putting your head into a car with a mould issue and stale air). If you have an antibacterial spray in your house that’s safe to be used plastics and carpets use that, if not I strongly recommend Valet Pro Enzyme Odour Eater (VP EOE destroys mould and bacteria and it’s food source in one). Spray onto all surfaces and wipe down plastics and agitate into fabrics with a soft to medium brush before vacuuming all the fabric and carpet area (if you have access to a wet’dry vacuum, this will be preferred as you’ll be able to wet the area more and then suck all the bad stuff out) . If you can, clean out the air conditioning system or get your dealership to do so (antibacterial odour bombs are great but are messy). Let the car vent to let the air to circulate and dry out.

Once completed put a dehumidifier into the car’s passenger footwell but on top of a tray in case it gets knocked over. This will help keep the moisture levels down.

Here’s a write up I did on a Mk1 Focus I used VP EOE on.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=367822

For the door seals, give them a wipe down with an antibacterial cleaner, then IPA or panel wipe to clean off any residue and then treat with a rubber restorer like Einszett Gummi Pflege Stift which has it’s own applicator head to apply the product and let soak in.

Remember, mould is a living thing so wiping it off won’t do anything as it will grow back so you need antibacterial properties to kill it.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RallyWrench 12/31/2015 at 20:29

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While I think the trunk seal is fairly new, as the rubber is still soft, what you said about difficult installation likely rings true as water does get into the trunk and parking it nose-end-downhill definately isn’t helping. Do you know of a specific common place for the trunk gasket to leak as a starting point when I pull it in next?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:29

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I found mold in a vehicle that was spotless not long ago. Where was it you ask? Right under the sun visor! Any place that isn’t hit by sunlight is vulnerable, it’s very frustrating.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Svend 12/31/2015 at 20:37

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Two thumbs up, Thanks! You certainly live up to your kinja handle. Long shot, but by chance do you know of a US retailer that would carry these products, or am I better off just making an online purchase?

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/31/2015 at 20:43

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What’s this sunlight you speak of? I plan to try and get as much mold out as I possibly can, don’t want to leave any colonies because then it’s just that much easier for it to come back again. Luckily I’ve taken apart most of the interior of this car at least twice so it won’t be anything too new and exciting.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:47

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anti fungal*

Svend > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 20:53

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Cheers. I’m in the U.K. but a quick search of Autogeek has PoorBoys with a similar product to the Valet Pro Enzyme Odour Eater, called SoFast Odo(u)r Eater and Bacteria Killer. The other product from Einszett is available from the site. The dehumidifier can be had from any DIY store and many supermarkets.

http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-sofast-odor-bacteria-killer.html

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-rubber-care-stick.html

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 22:30

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I would try an outdoor car cover. Old door and window seals loose effectiveness and were generally crappier than a lot of new ones. Might keep some of the moisture

maybe even a bubble.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 12/31/2015 at 23:38

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bucket of rice. not even kidding. it absorbs moisture easily

RallyWrench > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 01/01/2016 at 00:56

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They almost always leak at the forward corners because they need to be stretched out and glued down there. Installing a new one is a real process because of that. Sometimes small rust holes develop under the corners too. Water runs off the rear window and straight in. Speaking of which, the rear window itself can also leak at the lower corners so look closely at the roof of the trunk for that.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RallyWrench 01/01/2016 at 01:24

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Yeah, fortunately just my trunk seal leaks. However mine appears to be leaking in the rear-most driver side corner. I repaired a small amount of rust under the seal there a while back. I’m wondering if the previous owner installed the seal the opposite way it was supposed to go in now...

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/01/2016 at 01:26

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I think I’m going to order a cover on amazon. I’d love to put it in a bubble but between the neighborhood cats (mostly mine), shitty jealous neighbors, and dumb ass kids (live right behind a middle school) I can’t see it lasting longer than a few months.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 01/01/2016 at 01:27

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Not a bad idea in a pinch!