Mildew after storage
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 6
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Mildew after storage
My brand new, to me, 85 had been in storage with little ventilation over the past 10 years. What is the best way to remove mildew from interior items, such as the dash and leather steering wheel, and under the hood, hoses and other rubber. Remarkably the rubber is still pliable. Any help would be appreciated!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Calgary, Canada
My brand new, to me, 85 had been in storage with little ventilation over the past 10 years. What is the best way to remove mildew from interior items, such as the dash and leather steering wheel, and under the hood, hoses and other rubber. Remarkably the rubber is still pliable. Any help would be appreciated!
This is what I use, but by no means is it the only thing you can use. https://www.autogeek.net/pbapc32.html. You could do your entire interior with this. Mixed up a little stronger, and its a great engine, rim/tire cleaner as well.
Eric
Last edited by Maldini; Aug 11, 2018 at 12:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Prevent it first next time...
Use desiccant packs inside the car when storing for a long period. They make large packs for gun safes and storage chests. Also baking soda boxes with the tops opened can help too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
My brand new, to me, 85 had been in storage with little ventilation over the past 10 years. What is the best way to remove mildew from interior items, such as the dash and leather steering wheel, and under the hood, hoses and other rubber. Remarkably the rubber is still pliable. Any help would be appreciated!
The dash and "hard" surfaces (leather/vinyl) I've used the interior protectant from Turtle Wax - seemed to work quite well. In really bad areas, 50/50 mix of Simple Green to get the heavy areas clean, followed by the protectant. (Turtle Wax leaves a high luster [shine], but Groits works well too, but leaves less of a shine - more natural look.)
To get rid of mold and cigarette smoke in the air ducting, I went on line to find a detailers aerosol 'bomb" that you activate while the AC/heater is running. You vacate the car and leave the vehicle closed up while the aerosol does its thing - takes about 20 minutes. And, don't forget to change the in-cabin filters (C4s don't have any, however)).
Good Luck!
Last edited by Paul Workman; Aug 11, 2018 at 11:15 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
I used Damprid Mold and Mildew Stain Remover until it was forced off the market for environmental concerns. That stuff was really good but apparently had some hazardous chemical.
Now I use Folex (Lowe's sells it) for cleaning interior cloth and carpet. For carpet I spray it on with a trigger sprayer then remove using a Bissell green machine with hot water.
For leather all I use is Griot's.
Now I use Folex (Lowe's sells it) for cleaning interior cloth and carpet. For carpet I spray it on with a trigger sprayer then remove using a Bissell green machine with hot water.
For leather all I use is Griot's.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
A product call Ozium will kill the smell in the car. Same thing happened to ours. It was in storage for most of the 10 yrs before we bought it. We had to have the seats redyed in order to get rid of the black mildew stains on the red leather. We scrubbed the carpet, cleaned the rest of the interior and I repetitively sprayed it for a few days with Ozium. You cannot tell it was ever mildewed.
Air the car out for a few minutes after using.
Air the car out for a few minutes after using.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
For Odors I use Biocide. We bought our daughter a used Accord from a Honda dealer. Two days later it smelled like a combination of mold mildew and puke. No idea how they hid the smell. Cleaned the upholstery then set off the Biocide. It fills the car with a very nasty chlorine like gas for 24 hours, then you have to air it out for another day. But 3 years later and no smells.
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Remember to shampoo the rugs, great source for mildew.
Also door panels, and rear compartment with a good cleaner.
Also door panels, and rear compartment with a good cleaner.