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Mildew/mold

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2.9K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  silentpoet  
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#1 ·
My new project has a solid body, but the interior has mold/mildew on nearly every surface. Now I have had good luck with simple green which I used based on my searches here and on HAMB, it gets most of it off. I may have to use it several times, but it is working pretty good. It is working better on the vinyl than the cloth areas.

Which brings me to my problem area, the headliner. If not for the mildew/mold the headliner is in great shape. Not one hole anywhere. It is not faded or nasty aside from that dang mold/mildew. Is there a better cleaner for cloth than simple green? I have some household stuff(arm & hammer scrub free with bleach) that says it is for mildew, but it is bathroom cleaner. Plus I am concerned the bleach would just screw it up even more.

I have more interior issues, but one thing at a time. I do have it sealed up better now so it should not get more water in even though arkansas has turned into seattle lately with all the rain.
 
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#2 ·
When I have to clean mildew off my boat's interior (marine grade vinyl) I have used magic eraser, it seems to get the stuff out of the graiin of the vinyl. I don't know it it would work in your caes but it works for me.
 
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#3 ·
What year car is this? You should go over the vinyl etc. that you cleaned with Simple Green and also clean it with Tilex. You need to kill the mold or mildew spores so it won't come back. Tilex has a mild bleach solution in it. That's what I use on vinyl boat interiors along with Fantastik. Yes, the bleach will screw up the cloth if it has any cotton content. If the headliner is newer, and is made from a synthetic fabric you may be in luck. Bleach shouldn't affect a synthetic fabric. Try using a strong shop vac on the headliner first and see if that will pull the mold off. You might be able to clean the cloth with a spray on carpet shampoo and possibly a soft bristled brush. Don't scrub too hard or you can screw up the cloth that way too. If none of that works, you'll need to replace the headliner. They're not that expensive, under $200. Good luck.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
That's a good suggestion. TSP is usually a granular product which you mix with water, and it works very well as a cleaner. If you mix some bleach in it will clean and kill mildew all at the same time. That still probably won't help with the headliner, though.
 
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