Will my 87 Westy get mold?

[Bud Antonelis]

I'm storing my 87 Westy on Vashon I. WA and have it covered with a custom fit cover purchased on line. The van is on a cement slab, and open to the weather for about 8 months at varying times throughout the year. Should I be concerned about growing black mold? Is so, what to do?

[Wasted youth]

Well... I don't live up there, but my '87 Westy lived in Santa Cruz, California for several years. Lots of fog and coastal moisture that drips off the Redwood trees. So, the rear corners of my tent had some black mold beginnings when I got it.

In the first summer, I scrubbed the hell out of those corners and used a 'mold remover' spray from Ace Hardware. It definitely stopped the mold, but the stains are there; just noticeable.

If you have power available, you might consider putting in a dehumidifier or small heater... like a 100watt light bulb, just to keep it warm and dry enough inside to keep the moisture at bay. Put it on a Christmas tree timer so you don't have a huge electric bill.

A relative of mine lives near Vader, WA and they keep two heat lamps on most of the time in their large storage shed. Not something I would want to do, but it is nice and dusty in there when it's moldy outside.

[Jon_slider]

[bluebus86]

a cover can trap moisture against the paint, cuasing rust, mold too. damp rid is a good product BUT make darn sure the liquid that forms in damp rid never spills, it is highly corrosive. if ylu use it, put it in a secondary containment container and dont drive away with it, if it could possibly tip over. it is a horrible thing to clean up, dont let it get under the flooring!!!

heat lamps can be helpful in reducing mold if you have a water tight vehicle, leaky windoes for instance will be a big problem.


good luck with storage.
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[djkeev]

Interior mold often begins growth in the rear of the PopTop.
Why?
What I surmise is that because of the sleep cushion there is minimal airflow between the bed and closed top.

I agree a small electric heater would be a big help but also take a minute and remove the upper bedding.

I keep a heater in my Van all winter, the rear is almost always covered with snow while the forward section is clear because of the air circulation differences.

My 2 cents anyway......

Dave
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[pablum]

A neighber with a chevy van poptop periodically raises his overnight, in good weather, to give the corners a chance to dry out.

We have a fairly dry environment here, so that helps a lot.

If you have clear cold weather that and a heater might be enough up there in the land of blackberries.
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[Merian]

re: DampRid

it is silica gel - so I thought you could dry it out in the oven to "recharge" it??
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[Merian]

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[bluebus86]

[Chainsaw]

Bud you definitely have an uphill battle on the wetside of the state. Keeping rain off is A#1. Keeping moisture out is obviously #2. Are the window seals tight? Can you keep a heater or dehumidifier in her? Do ypi have a trusted friend that can fire her up and dry her out occasionally?

One of the biggest things that fights us in keeping vehicles dry around here is keeping all the darn fir needles out of the window channels, they get down in the little drain slots (a half dozen needles can clog a window drain slot) and then the water is allowed to creep into the window and POOF, mold.
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89 Westy. 2wd. Manual.

[Bud Antonelis]

Many thanks all...you've confirmed my suspicions...I'll start working on a fix.

[Wildthings]

Snow can be worse than rain as it will keep the top cold and encourage condensation. With a tiny bit of heat you can keep the interior above the dew point if there is no snow on the roof. Parking under a carport will keep the roof warmer on a clear night also preventing condensation.

[Zeitgeist 13]

As a native wetsider who also grew up on the dryside, I can say that our challenges are uniquely our own. Mold is a constant threat, and I would avoid any cover that fits tightly and allows little air movement underneath. Since you have a cement pad I'd opt for one of those inexpensive "hooped" tarp covers that keep rain and needles off the vehicle but still allow air to flow i.e. moisture to dissipate. Keep several of those humidity pots inside, and close off all the rodent intrusion points, especially the front air intake vent.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Chainsaw]

I was gonna suggest one of those cheap "carports" over the car cover too.
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89 Westy. 2wd. Manual.