The first step in putting our 1992 Mazda Miata “garage find” back on the road? Cleaning it up.
The car looked horrible: The exterior was covered in dirt, while the interior started to harbor some kind of science experiment. It was quite sad. We wouldn’t sit in the little car without donning a hazmat suit.
Despite the temptation to hit it with …
That funk could be down in the seating material as well, it looks like you did a vacuum job, but I would pull the seats, get under them, and then even pressure wash the seats after a simple green soak just to make sure you have the mold out of them especially if you are going to run with them. You might also have stuff in the venting, if you can pull those it might be a good idea to get in there as well.
Looked like some mold to me. I'd remove the seat ms and get them steam cleaned too. It is looking way better though and with clean NA prices is worth some effort.
Seems like the vents would be pretty bad with crud, too. And I've wondered how to clean the insides of the HVAC system....
And what about the back sides of what you cleaned? Door cards and dash- do they need attention, too?? (I don't know that- really asking...)
Once the car's running, we can clean deeper. But at least now you can sit in it.
When it's running put the heater on hot and let it run a while changing the air flow to the defrosters, feet, etc. to bake the insides of the ductwork dry and stop further growth of the mold. Carpet will hold mold that smells just as the seats already mentioned so might be worth pulling & cleaning if you remove the seats. Don't forget the inside of the conv. top.
Simple Green is worth it's weight in gold. That is all I have to say.
Rounding up some cleaning supplies for Round 2.
Wow, what causes all that mold? I have cars that sit for a long time in the garage but never had that happen to them.
Needed to get some more simple green myself and just ordered some Griot’s Vinyl & Rubber Dressing too.
Slippery (Forum Supporter) said:Wow, what causes all that mold? I have cars that sit for a long time in the garage but never had that happen to them.
No idea, to be honest. Florida, I guess. And not sure I need all that mold cleaning stuff, but figured I'd give it a try. I do want to spray it down the HVAC vents.
In reply to johndej :
Tim McNair, our detailing pal, recommends the Griot's vinyl cleaner. I'm very happy with it. I have a gallon of Simple Green in the garage. :)
Although, speaking of Simple Green, a very good friend from school now owns a company that makes cleaning products--like, various cleaners sold by the drum. I want to see what she offers and give it a try.
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