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Bud Antonelis Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2014 Posts: 19 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:53 am Post subject: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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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? |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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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. |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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Bud Antonelis wrote: |
Should I be concerned about growing black mold? Is so, what to do? |
yes, I suggest you start checking the interior humidity weekly, and airing it out when the sun shines
I get black mold in my westy, sitting in my driveway with no tree over it (in Santa Cruz, CA). It is not covered, I expect that would hold even more moisture, but have not tested.
Boat people use DampRid, which they replace when they fill up with water
recently a thread discussed mold removal,
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672713
and comments indicated that depending what is used to do so, it either causes more mold or prevents it
Borax was mentioned as a good preventive, and also Concrobium
I agree with Wasted Youth's suggestions to develop a system that dries out the interior.. that means the steam has to get out.. a cover sounds counterproductive in that battle
but I have no experience with covers
I hope you find a good solution for your situation.. it may include paying someone to visit your van while you are away _________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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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. _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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pablum Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2015 Posts: 562
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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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. _________________ The wise man learns from history, the fool from experience.
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I see [a cat] in the street and i aim for the pest with my car. -- bluebus86 |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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_________________ .... |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy go Mold |
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Merian wrote: |
re: DampRid
it is silica gel - so I thought you could dry it out in the oven to "recharge" it?? |
No DampRid is calcium chloride, hence the corrosive nature of the liquid it collects, Very corrosive stuff..
Silica gel is different. _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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Chainsaw Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2015 Posts: 249 Location: Issaquah Washington
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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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. _________________ 89 Westy. 2wd. Manual. |
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Bud Antonelis Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2014 Posts: 19 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:19 am Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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Many thanks all...you've confirmed my suspicions...I'll start working on a fix. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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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. |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:08 am Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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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. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Chainsaw Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2015 Posts: 249 Location: Issaquah Washington
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Will my 87 Westy get mold? |
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I was gonna suggest one of those cheap "carports" over the car cover too. _________________ 89 Westy. 2wd. Manual. |
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