reoccuring mold & mildew

[novaman]

What is the best method of removing mold and mildew from vinyl door panels that it doesn't come back? I've clean the door panels in my Chevy II and in a couple of months I've got it back. Any suggestions?<BR>I need to reuse these panels as there are no reproductions available and I have not been able to locate any NOS replacements. This is a 100 series, "plain jane" model station wagon. Thanks.

[Guest]

David ` MOVE TO WYOMING! <P>Every car I owned when I lived in Maryland grew its own crop of mold. I couldn't keep it from coming back after removal. After I had all the cars out here for a year all mold died, disappeared and never returned. <P>The real problem is the climate where you live. I used to live in NC and it is like Maryland, but just a little hotter and damper for longer. <P>Sorry, but I have nothing constructive to offer. Just idle commentary. <P>Howard

[novaman]

? nothing constructive to offer?. Yeah, right Howard. You?re just like a politcian, beatin around the bush at something. Treatin? us like mushrooms. Keepin? us in the dark and<BR>feeding us bull. I know what you really wanted to say was put some more elbow grease<BR>into and clean them more often. <P>Just kiddin?. But I think I?ll stick to my humidity. At least I don?t have to shovel very<BR>much of it. That?s why I moved here from NY.

[Guest BillP]

Novaman-<BR>Here are my thoughts. I used to get mildew on my cars every winter. My cars are stored in my unheated barn. Originally the barn had a poor foundation and cracked concrete floor, letting a lot of ground moisture pass up into the barn. Every spring was a big mildew clean up project. Generally, I used a solution of ammonia in water, followed by mild solution of Murphy Oil soap, followed by water-dampened rag, then wiped dry, then let the car sit in the sun for the rest of the day. This worked well on leather or vinyl. Two years ago, I replaced the barn floor, putting a layer of one inch foam board and thick plastic film down under the concrete as thermal and vapor barriers. I seem to have much less problem with mildew. Now here's the cheap, low-tech solution: Suspend one or two very low wattage light bulbs (like christmas lights) in your car with an extension cord to an outlet. Either run them all the time or on a timer. The heat will drive out the moisture in the air and reduce mildew (and rust) formation. Remember, SUSPEND is the key word; away from combustibles. Good luck, Bill

[Guest]

Don't know if this will help, but when my Dad lays his boat up for the winter he buys a couple of containers of a moisture absorber from the marine supply store. Keeps the mold and mildew out of the boat cabin while the boat is on shore and covered.