Cascade Crew

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:28 pm Post subject: Mold:(

Well being young, I guess I'll learn lessons the hard way. Finally had some time this weekend to mess around with the camaro (It's been sitting outside a family friends shop the past couple months). Took the cover off and opened the door only to find everything covered in mold. I would add pictures but I couldn't even bring myself to take any. I've been planning on new interior but was also hoping I could be driving the car before I had to make that swap. Going back next weekend to see what i can do and how well I can clean her up (dad owned a detail business). I've already figured that I am going to trash the seat belts and most likely the seats, carpets didn't appear all that bad. Plastics I should be able to clean up. Anyways, if anybody has a cheap set of seatbelts and seats I would greatly appreciate it and tips are always welcome too. Maybe I'll post some pics next week.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 7:19 am Post subject:

Billy, haven't seen you in awhile, bud. Glad to hear you're getting back to work on your car.

What color is the mold? That makes a big difference when deciding whether to clean it off or trash the parts.

When storing cars outside I have had very good luck with using a desiccant air dryer. They sell them at most hardware stores for people to put in their RVs. I have seen about a half cup of water per month come out of a car stored under a tarp. Laughing

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

That's what I need. I had some light mold. I try and take off tarp everytime it isn't raining to let it air out

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:23 am Post subject:

The mold is mostly white right now. I purchased one if those air dryers to keep on there. The main thing I'm worried about is the smell when summer comes around.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:51 am Post subject:

A light growth is nothing. Clean it with some good upholstry cleaner and drive the pig. Get some heat in it and dry it out. Then take it for a good drive once every 2 weeks. Your battery will thank you also.

Car covers are for cars inside that don't want dust. They just nastify cars when they are outself.

And jebus, a TARP Josh? You really don't care about that paint job eh? TARPS don't have any breathability and retain water in your car even worse!

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:57 pm Post subject:

White mold is no big deal. Clean hard surfaces with soap, clean upholstery with one of those mini upholstery cleaners or the fitting on a carpet cleaner.

Billy can't really be driving his car seeing as it's a roller. Razz

If you have a good runner (like Jeremiah does) taking it out is fine, but make sure that it is run up to full temp and blasted around a bit. Don't just do the old man start-and-idle-for-five-minutes nonsense. Laughing

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

I have a cover then tarp over. I have windows part way down to allow some air flow. I also take of every time no rain. And I do drive when no rain. I had some white mold earlier in year, but cleaned it all up as mentioned above. Haven't had any since. I need to install my new t top seals and put on my new decklid so I can get rid of leaks. And my paint is going to crap. Guy didn't put any hardener in so was really soft and I must ha e not prepped the front bumber cover good enough because it faded bad. So after I install new decklid and a pair of doors I got installed its back to paint again.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject:

So when storing it should I keep the cover off with the air dryer inside the car? Or use the air dryer and the cover? On the bright side the motors finished and ready to go in. Just need to buy a clutch/pressure plate and I'm good to go, after cleaning this mess up Sad

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:11 pm Post subject:

My two cents on the whole tarp thing:

Decent weatherstrip and/or no carpet: no tarp no cover
Crap weatherstrip and crap paint: tarp only
Crap weatherstrip and salvageable paint: tarp over cover

The problem with a tarp, as previously stated, is that it can greenhouse both heat and water vapor. Car covers are not waterproof at all and are just there to keep the tarp from scratching the paint.

Remember that the mold you see on surfaces is related to water in the carpet. It evaporates and the water vapor combined with the heat causes mold to grow. Carpet pad can stay wet for months with no additional leaks. The Monterey had no carpet and no weatherstrip and I never had any trouble. Water ran in around the windows and ran right back out the door jambs. Laughing

chevymad · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:22 pm Post subject:

Some companies make outdoor car covers too. They do cost more though.

Alphius · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:29 am Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:20 pm Post subject:

Here's some outdoor car covers like I was talking about. There are several different ones and they're fairly spendy.

http://www.calcarcover.com/c_covermaterials/car/4/1989/Pontiac/Firebird/All/All/1/

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:28 pm Post subject:

Jeebus. For that much dough you could be renting a spot in somebody's carport. Laughing

RSFreak · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject:

The Berli was pretty moldy when I drove it down to t-town last month. Don't think I had driven it in about 3 months! Razz