Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 04:34 PM |
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Ahhhhhh! Mold! What to do?
Last weekend I opened up the "classic" Alfa Romeo I bought a little while back after 2 month in the garage to find this:
 
Mold growing over everything leather.
Simple question; what do I do? I assume I'll start with wiping it out with disinfectant wipes (while wearing a mask) but what can I do to stop
it coming back? People have mentioned using cat litter but surely that more mess everywhere.
Anyone got any good tips? (apart from having a shower more often!)
Designer and Supplier of the T89 Designs - Single Seater Locost. Build you own Single Seater Racecar for ~£5k.
Plans and Drawings available, U2U or e-mail for details.
Available Now: The Sports Racer Add-On pack, Build a full bodied Sports Racer for Trackdays, Sprints and Racing.
www.t89.co.uk
www.racecarwings.co.uk
callan@t89.co.uk
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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nick205
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 04:42 PM |
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Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing it in and get busy with anti-bac wipes.
Once cleaned I'd suggest leaving the widows open a little to allow air to circulate through the car - that should slow down the growth!
You can also get bags containing cat litter type stuff that absorbs moisture in the car and again may help reduce future growth.
There is good reason why 2nd hand car dealers open the doors and boots of cars on warm dry days 
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 04:43 PM |
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need to get the moisture out asap, I use the chemical dehumidifiers you can buy (approx £2) from poundland/homebargains.
I buy three and place them in the back in a plastic storage box so they don't tip over. I was amazed how much fluid came out.
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Charlie_Zetec
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 04:48 PM |
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Thorough clean out followed by a 24hr sting with a dehumidifier inside the car would be my advice. However, I'd suggest the cheap moisture
traps longer term (you can get single use ones, or those that go in the microwave to be "recharged" longer term to reduce the risk of it
returning.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!
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CosKev3
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 04:54 PM |
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As above,pound shop moisture traps work really well 
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 05:01 PM |
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Definitely need a trip to Wilkinson/Poundshop to get some moisture traps then.
I think the mould has actually come from the garage as the car has been sat for 2 years in a mates garage all locked up and has been fine, I then left
the windows open when I moved it to my garage. ( I opened them but then had the battery off so couldn't shut them). Its been a very warm and wet
winter as well.
Bloody Alfas!
Although I will say it might be the most reliable Alfa Romeo ever, passed its MOT after 2 years standing and always starts perfectly.
Designer and Supplier of the T89 Designs - Single Seater Locost. Build you own Single Seater Racecar for ~£5k.
Plans and Drawings available, U2U or e-mail for details.
Available Now: The Sports Racer Add-On pack, Build a full bodied Sports Racer for Trackdays, Sprints and Racing.
www.t89.co.uk
www.racecarwings.co.uk
callan@t89.co.uk
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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r1_pete
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 05:42 PM |
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Bowls of washing powder also work effectively to absorb moisture, I leave one in the concealed cistern in the bathroom to prevent mould growing.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 06:40 PM |
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Salt works well and is cheap , old caravan tip.
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bi22le
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 07:11 PM |
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I heard driving cars prevents their mold!
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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steve m
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 07:35 PM |
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since when has a ""classic" Alfa Romeo " had electric windows ?
Thats was probably spelt wrong, or had some grammer, that the "grammer police have to have a moan at
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Sam_68
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 07:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
I heard driving cars prevents their mold!
Yeah, but it's an old Alfa... if you don't drive it, it gets mouldy, if you DO drive it it rusts.
And the electrics will malfunction whatever you do!
Seriously, though - another vote for the chemical dehumidifier packs (but the 'non-rechargeable' versions will just keep on sucking
moisture out of the air indefinitely, so if you're keeping it outside or in a damp garage they'll need replacing regularly).
The only other bit of useful information I can offer is to do the cleaning outside of the garage and with the interior of the car as
well-ventilated as possible - otherwise you're just filling the air with fungal spores ready for it to instantly start re-growing.
...And use an anti-fungal cleaner (you can get special ones for leather; Google 'leather mould remover' or visit your local horsey
peoples' Saddlery - it's a common problem on equine tack). Alternatively, a 'grandmother's remedy' (and Locost solution,
pardon the pun) is to wipe down with dilute white vinegar, 'cos the mould spores don't like the acidity.
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twybrow
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 08:24 PM |
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I had similar in my old daily hack. I wiped it all down with a light bleach mix to kill any spores and removed the source of the moisture. Cat litter
works well and is cheap for drying out a car....
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 09:14 PM |
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Well.it only has one working electric window so it is a true Alfa. I'd love to be able to drive it round but working two jobs and running a
business means that any spare time has to go on eating and sleeping.
I think a good clean plus lots of moisture traps is the answer, Wilkos tomorrow.
Designer and Supplier of the T89 Designs - Single Seater Locost. Build you own Single Seater Racecar for ~£5k.
Plans and Drawings available, U2U or e-mail for details.
Available Now: The Sports Racer Add-On pack, Build a full bodied Sports Racer for Trackdays, Sprints and Racing.
www.t89.co.uk
www.racecarwings.co.uk
callan@t89.co.uk
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Canada EH!
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| posted on 16/2/16 at 10:23 PM |
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I don't know if it is available over there but there is a product used here in caravans, consists of a 6" diameter cup and a small tray
which holds white pellets.
The pellets attract moisture which drips into the cup which can be emptied.
My caravan is all covered up so I can't get the name of the product, available in Walmart and caravan shops.
Works great for the 4-5 months my caravan is stored outside. Covered in snow.
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 24/2/16 at 11:51 AM |
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Thanks for everyones help.
I got a face mask and some large ant-bacterial floor wipes, all of the mold came off easily although it has stained the dash top a little so need to
sort that.
I also put a moisture trap in which did about 200ml of water in a week and the mold hasn't returned.
Working on "The BlAlfa" (Black Alfa) really made me want to use it again, so going to start the NSCC sprint season in it while finishing
my single seater.
Designer and Supplier of the T89 Designs - Single Seater Locost. Build you own Single Seater Racecar for ~£5k.
Plans and Drawings available, U2U or e-mail for details.
Available Now: The Sports Racer Add-On pack, Build a full bodied Sports Racer for Trackdays, Sprints and Racing.
www.t89.co.uk
www.racecarwings.co.uk
callan@t89.co.uk
|
NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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