Car not used for a few months— now covered in mold?

Raichų

hi guys not sure what to do here.

I have an 07 Civic I’m not currently using and haven’t been since October (I have a car for work with free diesel etc so obviously using that).

I went to start it yesterday and give it a quick spin to make sure all is OK as I had someone interested in buying; but when I went out and opened the door I was horrified by the mold EVERYWHERE. It’s like a fecking zombie died in there and exploded or something it’s unbelievable.

How did this happen? Is there anything I can do to sort it out? At this stage I think the best thing to do is just sell it for scrap and take what I can get. I obviously won’t sell it to someone in this state unless they are happy to take it and fix it but I don’t think the work involved is going to be worth it considering the age etc?

NIMAN

It must be VERY damp inside.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130115#Comment_123130115

but how can this happen? I don’t understand.

PixelCrafter

Ireland is a very very damp place. If you seal any car up here and don’t keep it ventilated and regularly drive and warm it up that’s a significant possibility, especially if it’s parked in the shade and getting no sunlight at all.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130180#Comment_123130180

wasn’t parked in shade; left in driveway! Plenty of sun exposure when it was around!

Fcuk sake anyway. Am I at nothing getting a chemical cleaner to kill the mould or just scrap it for whatever I can get?

greasepalm

Spare wheel well has water in it and yes agree its damp inside and condensation on windows.

Depends on if you get it valeted would clean it up.

csirl

Happened to me once - 2nd car in household that was parked up for a few weeks over winter while waiting for a clutch change (covid era - had to wait for appointment with garage). Seats and exposed part of seatbelts covered with mould!

Its cosmetic. Will clean up and be as good as new with some elbow grease and household cleaners.

Car is still going today - 3-4 years later - with no lasting effects.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130292#Comment_123130292

Ah grand so it’s not completely F’d then- that’s grand.

I’m thinking if I go at it with hot water and bleach then dry it as much as I can with a few towels n leave it on with heater for a while should help?

csirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130296#Comment_123130296

Be careful with bleach - might stain upholstery. I used a regular anti-bac spray and an uphostery spray - type of stuff you'll find on supermarket shelves.

elperello

If you don't want the bother a valet place will have it like new in jig time.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130317#Comment_123130317

I don’t want to pay for a Valet either I’m not gonna lie 😂

What I prob do is sell it and reduce the price accordingly to allow for the valet bill for the prospective buyer if they want to take it despite the mould.

As long as it’s not wrecked the car completely I was worried it was as good as scrap.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130370#Comment_123130370

Do you really want to deal with some lads low balling you because of the mould, because that's what will happen. Just clean it yourself before you sell is and save yourself the hassle.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130370#Comment_123130370

They are great cars.

If it's running ok it'll sell.

You will be limiting your market by not cleaning it up.

Remember the old saying "speculate to accumulate".

Good luck with the sale

noodler

HG mould spray (maybe not for the upholstery though)

wildwillow

Try vinegar or lemon juice and bread soda in water first. If you have to go with bleach or mould remover test in an inconspicuous spot first. Keep it well ventilated while cleaning and maybe wear a mask. Worth a few hours if test areas are successful.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130413#Comment_123130413

ah she outruns Usain Bolt any day 😂 it’s a shame the fella who had before didn’t look after it at all the front has an awful bang on it but it’s cosmetic on the bumper; was filthy inside as well so that’s why I’m pissy about the valet cos I’ve already had to get it done for selling and now I’m looking at it again…

I say I will book it in then. I’m just fed up looking at it at this stage

phormium

Clean it, leave window slightly open once you get it as dry as possible and put a big container of cat litter in there in a container, it helps!

Had same problem with a car that was parked up for a while, it's the damp weather and if not used regularly it's likely to happen if water getting in anywhere.

User1998

The mould will wipe straight off. Just wipe it off with something anti bacterial and continue with selling it

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130554#Comment_123130554

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130570#Comment_123130570

thanks guys really appreciate the help— all of you have put my mind at ease!
glad I checked in here before organising a tow truck to the scrap yard

NIMAN

If you have a dehumidifier, put it in the car for a day with the doors closed as best you can, it'll take out a lot of the damp.

Even some cars that are driven regularly would be damp in the winter months, you often see wet windscreen on the inside of cars.

tvjunki

You can buy cheap dehumidifier boxes in dealz that you out on your house window cells. I put one on the dashboard when the car is not in use. Also you can buy reusable dehumidifiers for cars in Halfords. They have to be dried out on your house radiator. I leave on in the foot well. Some cars hold more moisture than others. Try and give the car a good run to warm up and dry inside and air the car.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130983#Comment_123130983

yeah that’s not a bad idea either I think I’ll use the cat litter trick first to get it sorted and leave some moisture traps in there going forward

I am after touching one of the seats and it’s absolutely ringing wet— you’d think I emptied a 5L bottle of water on them!!

BorneTobyWilde

It will wipe off easy, just like dust. use some wives

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123132082#Comment_123132082

It wont wipe off easily as its on rear seatbelts on my car also and all seatbelts have warnings on them about cleaning.

I have front window deflectors fitted where i can leave down my windows to get fresh air inside.

On dash i have a big block to absorb moisture.

sgthighway

Would the oil in the sump be in a bad way if car not used for so long?

greasepalm

Fresh oil and fiter helps as oil can break down over time. Check colour on dipstick reveals things.

road_high

they are notorious for leaking water…my mothers old one used leak into the boot constantly. It stank in the end

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123132145#Comment_123132145

Damp cloth will clean the seat belts.

wandererz

This is not as easy as it sounds,depending on the amount of mold.

You will need to do a steam valet. You can rent a rug doctor from most woodies or B&Q.

https://www.diy.ie/services/rug-doctor

You will also need to use WHITE Vinegar. Spray it on, let it sit then wipe off. Then steam clean. €10 for 5ltrs on Amazon prime.

Keep in mind that mould will be in the air vents and other nooks and crannies, under seats etc.

Best thing is to use an Ozone machine as well if you can rent one or take car to a place that can do it for you. Otherwise problem will return.

It's mold! Wear a mask!

bcklschaps

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123130987#Comment_123130987

If the seats are wet to the touch, you possibly have a leak of some type. Check sunroof and window seals for leaks.... or perhaps someone did spill a 5L of water inside it??

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123132373#Comment_123132373

no it’s all from condensation & moisture trapped I think? Interior windows are v wet but couldn’t find any leaks anywhere either allowing water in.

When it was driven daily it didn’t have such an issue and it was bought during the summer time so it didn’t have any sitting around in cold/damp weather like it has been (as I say not driven much since early October).

In any event the guy who was interested was happy to take it and he will do whatever is required to bring it back again. Made him aware it might be a more serious problem than it appears on the face but was happy to take the risk.

I’m happy not to have it in me drive way occupying space. Everyone’s a winner.