While in Florida, I left the windows slightly cracked while visiting Disney. Returned to the car to find lots of high quality H2O inside her.

Well, the car could never dry out 'cause it rained every frickin' day. Mold/mildew have taken up residence in the car. I have removed the seats. I assume I can clean the carpet sufficiently within removing it. The seats, on the other hand, will need to be stripped down and pads replaced???

What is a safe solution to use on the leather? Thanks... done leave your windows down. It ain't worth it.

 

Skip,

SUCK! Sorry to hear...

To really get it I'd recommend (you're gonna hate this) removing the carpet. It's possible to dry it out completely with a couple fans blowing on the interior for a day or two, but I'd be worried about any water, mold or mildew trapped underneath that might later lead to more problems.

That's just what I'd probably end up doing, though... A good chance to REALLY clean those carpets

I'll leave the leather to the leather experts...

 

I would second the advice to remove the carpet for a thorough drying out. My track Miata suffered through a similar fate (with the top up and windows sealed) during this past winter's rain storms here in SoCal. By the time I realized what had happened, there was mold beginning to grow on the interior surfaces. Worse, the carpet and the noise/heat insulation pad beneath was still drenched. I tried airing it out, but the extent of the water was too much. I removed the seat and center console, and proceeded to lift up the carpet sufficiently enough to mop up the water. Unfortunately, the insulation was too water logged, and I tore it out, to be replaced with some aftermarket item. The risk of leaving the water logged insulation and carpeting intact is that in addition to the mold issues, you are also risking rusting of the floorboards.

 

Oh, and Skip? I'm guessing it's the Rain Gods smiting you for your license plate

 

Man sorry to hear that though... Hope you get everything cleaned up properly. You wouldn't want to miss some spot and then have it stay there and continuously grow until it gets out of hand...

 

Anyone out there a leather guru?

 

2002S2K works for a leather company and is very helpful He has a long Q/A post. Just do a search for leather

M

 

I did and even tried to PM him. For some reason it wouldn't let me. I know he's out of NJ, and if memory serves me, his name is Sean. He spoke at Fall Colors.

BTW, I searched before starting this thread... no mention of mold/mildew in his thread or any other thread the search turned up.

 

I think his PM box is chronically full...
Post a new thread and he might see it.

 

Oh man, sorry to hear this Skip, and sorry for taking so long to chime in...my pm box will be up again, I just have to renew my membership tonight.

I will get you a thorough reply later tonight...