I recently had to put my older convertible into service during an extended rainy period when my regular car started acting up. The convertible top is original, with no tears, but it didn't hold up well against the heavy rains, and water came into the interior. It got to the point where I started to experience some weird electronic problems. Sounds were coming from my audio system even when the system was off. I immediately stopped using the car, pulled the battery cable and then covered the car with plastic, and left the windows cracked open. The rain kept coming for days after that. Well, the rains have stopped for now, and I no longer hear the sounds, but I have what appears to be mold inside the car. How screwed am I? Would a professional interior detailing, if the detailer was given the facts, do the trick? Thanks.
-- John
Sounds like you bought one of my brother's old cars. He used to have to shovel snow out of his convertibles in the winter.
Even though there are no visible tears in your convertible top, it's no good anymore. You're probably saying, "Duh!" about now.
But people don't realize that old tops shrink over time and the rubber weatherstripping dries out. The cloth top itself even can become porous, and you'll see drops of water seeping through.
So, if you're really invested in this convertible, you need a new top. And you may be surprised to find that it's going to cost you a couple thousand bucks! But at least that'll stop things from getting worse, which is always the first step in dealing with water damage.
I suppose if you're not committed to this convertible for the long haul, the cheaper solution is to just get a car cover and never drive it in the rain. In fact, to remove any temptation to drive it on a day when it might rain, you might want to just remove the top entirely. Or put in a bad set of plug wires, so it won't start in damp weather.
Then you've got to deal with the mold. We're not experts on mold remediation. When a customer drives into the shop with a mold problem, all of my guys barricade themselves in the men's room.
But the first thing you have to do is dry everything out. The sun is your best friend here. Start by removing the carpeting (this will require removing at least the front seats).
Underneath the carpet is a cheap padding that's called the jute. You probably want to just throw that away and replace it.
Then park the car out in the sun for a few days, and lay out the carpeting and seats next to it. Once everything is really dry, you can treat the carpet and seats with a biocide product that's designed to remove mold from fabric.
Of course, you want to test an area first so you don't end up with white carpeting -- not the most practical choice for the floor of a car.
If that treatment is unsuccessful, you may have to replace the carpeting and the seats. Or get the seats reupholstered. Or you could do what my brother used to do, and just drive around in a biohazard suit. Good luck, John.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
Those things have to be checked often. Around the seams and such.
I had one for a little while. I loved it.
I don't think I would ever have another though.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I got mold, badly. Pulled everything out and replaced the jute. Bought a concentrate mold killer and mixed it into a lawn sprayer and sprayed down the carpet and plastic pieces. Let everything dryout in the sun.
The first thing that needed done with mine was replacing the top.
They have to be properly installed and cared for. Extra water proofing on the interior made a difference.
Not leaving it exposed and proper airing also does a world of good.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
have owned a bunch of them--love them--among them: '71 Olds 442 W/30, '70 Bonneville Sport, '73 Buick Centurion 455, '70 Fiat 124 Spyder, '68 MGB-GT, '64 Lincoln Continental ( w/suicide doors ), '71 Alfa Romeo, '71 SS-396, '68 Pontiac Firebird 400, '76 Mercedes 450 SLC, '69 XKE, '71 Triumph Spitfire, '85 Celica GTS, 3 Vettes ( various vintages ), couple of Miatas ( the perfect MG )'64 Thunderbird, '72 Impala and a few others can't remember right now
best thing for drawing moisture out of the air / carpet / top, etc. in a convertible or a boat that you're going to keep covered / stored for a while: one or two big litter boxes with at least 8 to 10lbs of kitty litter in each one--works like a charm
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" the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. "--edmund burke
Mine me looked a lot like this. I loved that thing.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
love MGBs--the older ones though, lord, Lucas electronics--do you remember any of the Lucas jokes ?--" Why do the British drink warm beer ? " they have Lucas refrigerators--or " What is Lucas' nickname ? " the Prince of Darkness, etc.
honestly, love the cars but got tired of the playing electrical roulette--when the Miata came along, it was literally a perfect MGB
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" the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. "--edmund burke
I didn't have it long. Dad traded cars out from under me all the time.
And mom made him get rid of it because she said I would end up under an 18 wheeler.
I messed up and made the smart mouth comment that it would fit.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
I had a Volvo convertible and loved it. Only had it 2 years because Mr. FNW said I needed to give it up in my 6 1/2 month of pregnancy. He didn't think the backseat was big enough for two car seats. Killjoy.
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
__________________
The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
ed, this worries me.
Tires start breaking down, when they turn 6 years old. (You do know how to check for the "born on date" for your tires. Right?)
And, rotating them every 8 to 10 thousand miles, will make them last longer.
If you buy your tires, at some shops, they rotate them for free, every 7,500 miles. (If you choose to take advantage of that service.)
We use Discount Tires. They are really good. (But, I'm not sure if they are in your area. And, after nine and half hours of driving, I'm too tired to google it.)
I love mine, but the top n. eeds to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
I replace mine abour every three years. But, I drive a lot of crappy roads. That is normal for my area.
I am getting new tires tomorrow. Can't remember how old these are.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I am getting new tires tomorrow. Can't remember how old these are.
There's a code on the sidewall of every tire. The tire dealer should be happy to show it to you and explain it, it tells the month and year the tire was made.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I didn't purchase the last set. They could be 10 years old.
Doesn't matter. Getting new ones tomorrow!
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
ed, this worries me.
Tires start breaking down, when they turn 6 years old. (You do know how to check for the "born on date" for your tires. Right?)
And, rotating them every 8 to 10 thousand miles, will make them last longer.
If you buy your tires, at some shops, they rotate them for free, every 7,500 miles. (If you choose to take advantage of that service.)
We use Discount Tires. They are really good. (But, I'm not sure if they are in your area. And, after nine and half hours of driving, I'm too tired to google it.)
My cars used to be driven a lot more than they are now. Spouse's car was driven about 500 miles last year, my old work car, which I gave to my son last week, about 2000 miles a year. I'm sure he will be driving it a lot more now.
The tires on both cars are now less than 3 years old.
the car I drive every day is a leased car, traded every 3 years (it's free to me with my job).
Over the years I've always watched for tread wear patterns and had alignment done when appropriate.
The only problems I've had, other then tires aging, were from nail punctures.
thanks for your concern; I'm fine.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I do a lot of high-speed, long distance driving, so I rotate my tires every other oil change. They all wear evenly, and I've never had a problem with them. 70 & 75 mph speed limits here, and 87 miles each way to church and back, twice a week, plus 22 miles to supermarket makes for a lot of miles!
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
ed, this worries me.
Tires start breaking down, when they turn 6 years old. (You do know how to check for the "born on date" for your tires. Right?)
And, rotating them every 8 to 10 thousand miles, will make them last longer.
If you buy your tires, at some shops, they rotate them for free, every 7,500 miles. (If you choose to take advantage of that service.)
We use Discount Tires. They are really good. (But, I'm not sure if they are in your area. And, after nine and half hours of driving, I'm too tired to google it.)
Yeah, my car is 13 years old, has 46000 miles, and is on it's third set of tires.
I love mine, but the top needs to be replaced every 5 years or so. That's an expense you take on when owning one. My tires (that need to be replaced every 2 years) are more expensive than the top. They can't be rotated so they wear out quickly...
I have to ask, what kind of car needs new tires every 2 years?
I almost never rotate tires, and generally replace them when they start to deteriorate from age, at 8 to 10 years.
I've seen cars that ate tires because it was not possible to set the caster, camber and toe-in on an alignment machine. That's a short-sighted manufacturer of a cheap car saving a few dollars on manufacturing, at the (large) expense of their customers.
I have a 350-Z Touring Convertible. The front tires are different than the back tires. They wear out quickly...
__________________
America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
I dread when I have to buy new tires. They're run-flats.
I like the idea of run-flats, but I've heard that they make the ride stiff and bumpy, and they are very expensive.
But if you're trying to get away from someone who is shooting at you, or who has a buddy setting up "stop sticks" in your path,
they'd be well worth the expense
Or if your Miata doesn't HAVE a spare tire or even a place to put one.
My Z is smaller than a Miata and it has a spare tire.
One of our members has (had?) a Miata. We discussed the fact that she couldn't find the spare when she looked ...
then we determined from the manual that there is no spare, but the owner could decide to buy one and keep it in the trunk. But then the remaining storage space in the trunk would be just big enough for a small box of Kleenex.
Her car came with a can of "tire inflator"
When DS2 was in college, one of his friends had a "Z", I don't remember which year / model.
She was popping tires fairly frequently, because she was a lousy driver and kept hitting or side swiping curbs.
One day when I was on campus visiting DS, she told me her car didn't have a spare tire. I suggested that we go look.
When I showed her the spare, she said "well, there aren't any tools or a jack".
Soooo ...
I told her step by step how to change a tire. And she changed a tire. Then she changed it back.
She remained an irresponsible flake, but at least I figured she would be less likely to be stranded somewhere with a flat tire.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
The run flats came with the car. I don't think it has a bumpy ride at all. I have heard about the bumpy ride from those who have them on their Corvettes. Corvettes tend to ride bumpy anyway, so I'm not sure the tires can be to blame.
I know how to change a tire, but I don't want to. I have always had AAA.
The run flats came with the car. I don't think it has a bumpy ride at all. I have heard about the bumpy ride from those who have them on their Corvettes. Corvettes tend to ride bumpy anyway, so I'm not sure the tires can be to blame.
I know how to change a tire, but I don't want to. I have always had AAA.
Exactly. They have been a life saver more than once. and I like that I can use them for other people. I once saw a mother and her 4 very small kids pulled over with a broken down car. I called AAA and they came and towed her.
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
Tires that last 10 years?!?! Where can I get these magic tires?! I want a set of two!
Tires generally last about 50,000 miles if you are lucky. I usually drive about 1000 miles a month (even before I had to drive for work). So it seems we buy tires every other year between the two cars. Although since we started leasing one, we turn it in at about the time it needs new tires !
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
Tires that last 10 years?!?! Where can I get these magic tires?! I want a set of two!
Tires generally last about 50,000 miles if you are lucky. I usually drive about 1000 miles a month (even before I had to drive for work). So it seems we buy tires every other year between the two cars. Although since we started leasing one, we turn it in at about the time it needs new tires !
I think it involves magic beans, a giant and possibly a beanstalk...
Tires that last 10 years?!?! Where can I get these magic tires?! I want a set of two!
Tires generally last about 50,000 miles if you are lucky. I usually drive about 1000 miles a month (even before I had to drive for work). So it seems we buy tires every other year between the two cars. Although since we started leasing one, we turn it in at about the time it needs new tires !
Michelin steel belted radials. The first set I bought, the car had 12,000 miles when they were installed. When I sold the car with 120,000 miles ten years later, they still had 1/3 of their tread left.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
