It looks that like in the near future I will be taking delivery of a car which has been in storage for some length of time. Surprisingly, moisture has not taken over the vehicle as far as corrosion goes. However, the interior upholstery is covered in mold spores. I did not take pictures of anything, but it is polka-dotted if you will.
Due to the originality of the car, I want to replace as little as possible. I figured I could pull all interior pieces, and clean with an APC (most likely something targeted @ Mold like Stoner Xenit, or Shurhold Moldaway?). Carpeting would be replaced, as well as seat foam if needed.
Once the interior is stripped, I was told by quite a few people that renting an ozone machine would be the best way to eliminate everything else I cannot get to.
Ozone solutions rents the machines by the week. 10,000 mg/h for $120. Would that be strong enough to handle everything if I ran it in the car for a few days? Is there something else I'm missing? This seems a little too easy.
Ozone will attack and destroy rubber parts and nylon parts. The rubber parts will crumble and turn to dust while the nylon will become brittle.
I don't know, maybe a steam clean type carpet machine? And then leave the interior parts in the hot sun to bake...
I have good luck with window cleaner and there is a spray to put in the vent system.
NOHOME
SuperDork
5/20/14 9:29 a.m.
Go looking in the boating world for a solution, they deal with this stuff all the time.
If mold were really the toxic substance that the media has made it to be in the last 15 years, there would not be a sailboat owner alive.
http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/35_1/features/Marine-Maintenance-Mildew-Prodcuts_5726-1.html
I'd just shampoo the upholstery and make sure it gets a chance to dry out completely. If it's not dark and damp any remaining fungi spores will die off.
I NEVER thought of looking into the Boating world for such a thing, that's honestly a GREAT idea.
My whole thought process on the ozone machine is getting into the areas in which a solvent wouldn't. Is it hard on rubber trim when being used for a prolonged period of time? A few hours of ozone won't ruin everything, will it? Even with rubber products nearing 50 years old?
When I worked at dealerships ozone machine use was common to remove smoker smell in used cars. 8-24 hour treatments weren't uncommon. Granted these were used cars, at a dealership no less, that weren't over five years old. But I never heard of any adverse effects on rubber or trim. YMMV.
Concrobium was a suggestion when I queried the forum a few months ago.
I've used it to do spot cleaning and it is been pretty good thus far.
For the big job (530i heater core failed when the car was in storage), I'm going to rent the fogger from Home Depot and give it a try.
Back from the dead...
The $50 Saab has some mold on the carpet and back seats. The interior is in otherwise great shape. I have a portable carpet cleaner, should I just hit the mold with one of the marine cleaners suggested above, then wet and suck up the cleaner/water with the carpet machine? Other suggestions?
Thanks!
Basically, that's your best bet. Then make damn sure it gets dry ASAP dry and stays that way.
