Technical MOLD!!!!!!! (long read, sorry)

i recently inherited an old hoopty that is infested with green mold on the soft vinyl surfaces in the interior. it sat for a couple years in what turns out was not proper storage. i've pulled the seats and liberally applied mold killer to the exposed vinyl and the back side of the seat cushions. they've been left in the sun to dry. this has been done repeatedly for several days. when i am near them i still have a "reaction" to the mold, telling me it's still alive. i haven't even begun to work on the rest of the interior. i've "googled" this and found various methods that supposedly kill mold, but i haven't found any good info about applying this to old car seat cushions etc. i'm beginning to think i might have to strip the upholstery from the stuffing and if the vinyl is savable get them redone, if not a whole new interior $$$. this is NOT a simple scrub/wipe down, deal with it situation. thanks in advance for any suggestions. it's the black car.

 

Sure it's not mildew? X-14 at any ace hardware will make it disappear,spray on and let it do the job then rinse off. HRP

 

If push comes to shove and you have to replace some of the material it's not like you inherited a piece of junk. HRP

 

this isn't a surface problem, it's inside, wiping and rinsing the surface as been done.

 

summer is winding down and there are other projects in motion. time and funds are already allocated. obviously the car is worth the expense but the interior is cool and my father had it done 45 years ago, i would like to save it. i can not drive the car as it is now.maybe i am more sensitive to mold than some others are. once again this is NOT a simple scrub/wipe down, deal with it situation.

 

Change out the carpets first. Mold needs moisture to grow. Carpets are the low spot.

 

you might talk to some of the people that do mold from houses. they doe penetrating into walls

 

X2 on contacting an expert. Mold is nasty stuff.

 

put the seats on a couple sawhorses ,bottom side up and lightly mist 1/2 and 1/2 Clorox and water throughout the material inside and let the wind and sun air them out, after a few times, spray them with fabreeze.

 

"Hoopty".... "other projects".....Man, I would sell the farm to get that car right and never let it go. Very nice!

 

Mold could be on the underside of the seats too. I had a mold problem in my house from a flooded crawl space. Months later I lifted up a futon mattress and found a thick coating of mold on the underside. No wonder I was sick all winter.

I use a borax solution to kill mold. Better than bleach and doesn't stink.

http://blacktoxicmolds.com/borax-kill-mold.php

 

How about putting it in a storage bag and letting the experts gas it?

 

According to the "experts" bleach is not effective for killing mold. I have used a product made specifically for killing mold and done what you suggested with little success. That's what has me baffled. There is not much "stank" involved just an allergic ( I guess) reaction to the mold. I've never had a problem like this with an old car before. The surface cleaned up with general household cleaners. The mold on the surface was/is green which a google search says is not mildew but actual mold.

 

A car sized bag? Hmmm

 

The car is a priceless family heirloom to me. But it's still a Hoopty! Part of the problem is I am overwhelmed with car projects ( and work, and cleaning out parents house etc) and lack of space to deal with this problem

 

I will head to the store directly! Sounds like a good solution, thanks

 

Send it to me, On loan of coarse, and the 110 degree weather out here will cook the mold right out.....That gets it out your hair for awile........

 

OK

 

Might find those guys who put boats away for the winter. Might be a good solution gassing it.

http://mobileshrinkwrapper.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/20131118_113900.279124914_std.jpg

 

Apparently it's something most of us would jump through hoops to have.

 

Sporicidin, and ozone. You can buy a gallon of the first one. Case of 4 is 50 to 80 bucks plus. Stellar stuff. Completely eliminates mold and spores. Soak any part of the inner or outer seat surfaces. Doesn't hurt anything .... ServPro endorsed.

Ozone. Get an ozone generator. They are available for lease. You can also find companies that do so. Bag the seats. Ozone fill for 24 hours plus. It WILL harm you. Ozone is not good to be around. Do it in an empty, unused room while ozoning.

I've used both. Under roof, attic space .... molded black, 70 year old, tongue and groove decking .... swamp humidity black mold. Hot, Houston, Texas flood house. Weeks without electricity. After Sporicidin ... the wood graining came back to appear as day 1 install, new wood. Beautiful stuff. Yard sprayer that sh#t on, let it stay .... bask in the miracle of. Keeps it away also.

Sporicidin has a camphor or menthol product as its active ingredient. I forget. Have several cases in the garage, but I'm not home. The manufacturer also makes that throat spray that numbs your throat, that we all grew up on. Still sold today. Chloraseptic. Good stuff.

Ozone machine I leave on for 2 or 3 days. Empty house. Different sized machines. Kill power. Come back day after. Easy. Hurry up and wait situation.

Sporicidin on Amazon/Ebay or a janitorial supply house. Ozone generator, a tool rental house, or clean up specialist. Voila ! ( & ) Good luck !

Edit : P/M if need be. Pricing isn't always the best for Sporicidin. I'll break a case, if you just need a gallon, or two. Reimburse me for, and pay shipping. My zip code is 75002. Gallon weighs 7 to 8 pounds. Its amazing stuff. I use it for flood repair. Wood, cloth, and many etcs.

 

If you're allergic to mold, I'm thinking your only recourse would be a FULL replacement of the interior. Mold is an air borne condition. Microscopic spores would very likely be every where in that car. I'd consult a doctor on what you need to do, before dumping money on cleaners.

But here's some helpful info.

http://www.allergyconsumerreview.com/how-to-kill-mold-spores-in-the-air.html#sthash.ejGCgE9k.dpbs

 

Don't feel bad. I didn't know until my nephew told me a few years ago. Kids these days with their "moonwalkin'", "pet rocks", and "hoopties"!


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hoopty
In reference to cars: a vehicle in poor condition, often large, boatlike, and aided by duct tape or bungee cords. Comes in two flavors, White Trashand Black Ghetto. See also: hoopty mobile.
Oh my god, check out the chick in that hoopty!


I'm not sure that I'm kewl enough to use that term, lol
I've got too much grey in my beard to talk like that^^^

 

Bleach kills mold that it comes in contact with - ONLY. Bleach can't kill mold that's under the vinyl, in the padding, in the carpet/backing or on the crap they used for firewall insulation. Unless you soak it all dripping wet like submerged

Bleach also can't kill mold that's deep into wood fibers, deep or behind drywall, in carpet pads and such.

Kidcambel has you on the right track, you may still have to disassemble and open or expose sealed areas/surfaces.

 

I have had some success using white vinegar on vinyl and leather. Used a cheap spray bottle to apply and let it sit for about twenty minutes. Wipe and rinse. Two applications did it. You might try almost soaking the underside, then rinse and air dry in the hot summer sun.

 

As mentioned above, an ozone machine will do what you need. This is what hazmat crews use for remediation. I have one and use it for all sorts of things. Great to use in a room when someone has bee sick too. Kills viruses and bacteria. Mold spores don't stand a chance.
It'll remove cigarette smell from a car too. Put machine in car and close all doors and windows and let it run for a day or two.


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Ozone machine on order, fingers crossed!

 

Might wanna keep an eye on non painted metal parts if you use it for a long period, ozone accelerates oxidation.