Mold on Interior

[BumperMan]

When I started my restortation project I decided to start on the inside and work my way out. When I got the car home the interior was covered in mold. I removed the seats and cleaned the seats and dash with soap and water then went back and cleaned everything with vinegar. I went to work on my car today and took the cover off and noticed the mold is back. Any ideas out there on how to fully get rid of mold? This first pic is what it looked like today, the second pic is what it looked like after finishing up the first time, and the last pic is what it looked like when I started. Sorry the last pic is up side down. I could not get it to rotate.

 

[snakeyes]

 

[BumperMan]

snakeeyes, how did you do that?

 

[snakeyes]

just turned it over

 

[Photon440]

Vinegar is a good idea, as you used. But make sure it's not just wiped on and off. Spray it on and let it sit for at least ten minutes.

If the car is in a sealed garage, put a portable de-humidifier in there, and check it often to empty the tank. Otherwise, get some desiccant gel packs. You can re-use them by drying in an oven once they've done their job.
http://www.amazon.com/Silica-Desicc...qid=1384753560&sr=8-8&keywords=desiccant+pack

 

[tallhair]

When I started my restortation project I decided to start on the inside and work my way out. When I got the car home the interior was covered in mold. I removed the seats and cleaned the seats and dash with soap and water then went back and cleaned everything with vinegar. I went to work on my car today and took the cover off and noticed the mold is back. Any ideas out there on how to fully get rid of mold? This first pic is what it looked like today, the second pic is what it looked like after finishing up the first time, and the last pic is what it looked like when I started. Sorry the last pic is up side down. I could not get it to rotate.

Damn that bottom pic is the worst I've ever seen bumperman and I've had some parts stored in garages and sheds for 30 years w/o mold or visible anyway.

I had mold on the lower dash of my 68 R/T when I got it out of storage in an unheated garage after 10 years. I've wondered if it was because the wife insisted on using a protectant on it before we put it in storage. It wasn't armor all but the other popular brand.

To clean me and the kids used dawn and warm water like you, and then kitchen cleaner products, and a vinegar / water solution to wipe it all down and it hasn't come back after about two or three months. I'll check to see what cleaning products we used. I know we used a few different things and some of the foaming bubbles and oxiclean stuff on the white seats which came back very nice. How long was it from cleaned to when it came back?

Desiccant is a good idea too .. defiantly can't hurt and I'm sure the clear vinegar is a good idea too.

 

[BumperMan]

Tallhair it's been about 5 months when I cleaned it all the first time. I got the car home on April 8 started cleaning it out on April 9th, put everything back in around July.

 

[okiemopar]

It would seem to me you are getting some moisture in it some how, has the carpet been wet are the heater core leaking a little. Good Luck with it Ronnie

 

[hunt2elk]

What about bleach?

 

[eric383]

X2 on the bleach. With that much mold I think you are going to have to get aggressive with your cleaning. I think I would start with some Bleche White before going to chlorine bleach. I have used this on dirty vinyl without any side affects just make sure to wipe with water as a rinse after letting it sit for 5 mins. Some scrubbing with Dawn diluted in warm water after the Bleche White won't hurt. If you do have to use the chlorine bleach let it sit on the vinyl for 5-10 mins before rinsing. Let it dry thoroughly before treating with a protectant. Good luck.
http://www.blackmagicshine.com/bleche-wite-tire-cleaner.php

 

[Baller]

First, eliminate any source of moisture inside the vehicle as suggested above. Wipe down the interior with a mold specific product such as http://www.concrobium.com/. In tests we have done up here regarding mold on the underside of roof sheathing, bleach will not eliminate the mold, it always comes back.

 

[eric383]

Yes Baller, bleach doesn't eliminate mold. That's why after cleaning with a bleach product you have to scrub the surface to remove any organic material that will give mold a chance to grow. Mold cannot grow where it has no food(dirt,etc). Oxy clean type products are also a form of bleach too.

 

[RGAZ]

This could be hard to beat.

I am pretty sure the glovebox is a foam base with a vinyl cover. The level of mold you had would have extended into the foam for sure. That means the roots and spores are likely in the foam. That is bad news. Any cleaning of the surface may be useless. i don't want to say you can't beat it, but I think you may have a losing battle. I think your best solution is submersion in the mold remover noted. You need to get into that foam. Surface cleaning is not going to cut it.

Personally, that cover is spreading mold spores like crazy now, I'd get it isolated in a plastic bag asap. Mold sucks.

Good luck.
Randy

 

[Durandal25]

Team,

This is a process that some pro's tried on a few seriously contaminated cars:


1. Dry your vinyl seats. If the seats are permanently installed inside a vehicle, dry them with a blow dryer or a powerful electric heater. If you can move the vinyl seats, move them into the sunlight to dry. Proceed after you have successfully removed all moisture from your vinyl.


2. Vacuum your vinyl seats. This will remove the dried mold spores and dirt from your vinyl. Use a thin extension to reach the finest crevices in your vinyl seats, and the immediately take the vacuum outside. Wash out the filter or remove the vacuum bag at once.


3. Spot treat your vinyl seats with rubbing alcohol. Dampen a sponge with the alcohol and dab the areas lightly wherever mildew occurs. First, test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous area of the seat. Rubbing alcohol is safe for vinyl, but some dyes are sensitive to it. If any discoloration occurs, dilute the alcohol with equal parts water or substitute a more color-safe mildew-killing solution like white vinegar.


4. Dab the vinyl again with a water-dampened cloth to rinse it. Never pour any liquid directly onto your vinyl seats, as the excess moisture can make mildew worse. Use as little moisture as possible to disinfect the area.


5. Dry your vinyl seats again with heat. Failure to do so may result in a recurrence of mildew, which favors moist surfaces.


6. Observe your vinyl seats in the days and weeks following your treatment. If mildew returns, this likely indicates that you have spores growing deep within the porous surface and you will have to replace the vinyl.

 

[soundhd]

I am sure that the problem of "mold" coming back is cause by a variety of situations and/or conditions. I would go on the internet and search for how to prevent or stop mold form coming back. I am sure you will find a solution for you particular situation. Some times though one has to completely dry the area or object both inside and outside before the mold is completely removed then one has to somehow keep the area and/or object dry to keep the mold from returning.
Hope this helps.

 

[BumperMan]

Thanks guys for all your help. I'm continuing to work on this so I will let you guys know what happens. All of these are great ideas

 

[Baller]

I read your first post again where you mentioned removing a 'cover'. Mold needs moisture. Is it possible that there is condensation occurring in the car when covered? I've seen this happen with crappy covers that do not breathe.

 

[clemul]

After cleaning I would wipe vinyl and plastic with 303 protectant. (http://www.303products.com/303r-aerospace-protectant-16oz.html ).

 

[BumperMan]

You know Baller, that's a very good point. When I got the car home it was outside my garage for about a month because the back right tire was stuck. I did go by a cover for it and I thought it was a good one, it rained several times because this was a really wet summer here. Then I free'ed up the tire pushed it in the garage and put the cover back on it to keep my kids from scratching

Do you think that could have caused it

- - - Updated - - -

Clemul have you used this before, I was reading the description? Looks like some good stuff

 

[clemul]

I use the 303 protectant on everything plastic and fiberglass...unlike armor all which builds up and is greasy this makes the plastic like new and actually protects it.I have never had mold issues on anything I used it on.Once you use it you will never use anything else.