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driftertjs
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:19 am Post subject: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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Hi Guys... I just bought a Westy from an old gal who hasn't raised the pop top for 5 years ! Couldn't, actually. So the inside of poptop shell & canvas is a mildew mess. Anyone have a fix or a solution I can use to remove this problem ?
Thanks... Terry |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
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RicoS
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006
Posts: 583
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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| driftertjs wrote: |
| . . . the inside of poptop shell & canvas is a mildew mess. Anyone have a fix or a solution . . . |
The solution is one of chlorine bleach, maybe a cup per gallon of water. Scrub with solution, rinse as well as you can, then park the van in full sunlight (poptop deployed) with a dehumidifier running full-tilt-boogie inside.
Richie (near The Burgh) |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32643
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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RicoS
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006
Posts: 583
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Do some research.
There is evidence to support that bleach actually supports long term mold growth . . . Dave |
The devil is in the details and, sometimes, Mr. Google can lead you astray, Dave.
I think the mold you are talking about is the type entrained in the matrix of saturated drywall. I imagine the wonks at FEMA have developed a protocol for mitigating mold growth like this, post-disaster.
The one time I had to concern myself with the aftereffects of a major flood, I didn't have the luxury of Googling what to do, so, as much as I hated to do it, I stripped the finished walls down to the framing and flooring to the subfloor (150-year-old building, ballon-framed, firestop at 2d floor ledger, 1 1/2" plaster on wood lath) and thoroughly washed down the wall cavities and joist spaces with a strong bleach solution.
Must have been the thing to do: 40 years hence, the building has remained high and dry and mold-free. While, the poor souls who thought they could wash and rinse away their blues, are occupying buildings which should be condemned as toxic.
So, unless your poptop is made of gypsum and red oak, I stand by my remedy.
Richie (near The Burgh)
PS - This is one time the despicable Terry K would be of some use; he's spent many years tending to pleasure boats and, I would assume, mildew. |
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buildyourown
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009
Posts: 1668
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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I had good results with the mild bleach solution and scrubbing...
However, after a couple yrs and applications, the rust and paint peeling on all the roof hardware is a reminder that bleach is pretty corrosive. I would use it. Hydrogen peroxide is a better choice. |
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ServantOfElwood
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2014
Posts: 200
Location: The Wet Side of WA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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| djkeev wrote: |
If it is as moldy as you indicate. Remove the top, unbolt the hinges from the roof and simply cut the canvas, it is probably old and rotten anyway.
Clean everything up and get a new canvas with the three windows.
Dave |
Makes a world of difference! And if I can do it, anyone can.
_________________
The Ghost Ship - 1984 Westfalia 2WD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602180
Install in reverse order of removal. |
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chompy
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2014
Posts: 400
Location: Cascade Locks
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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Use borax
_________________
'81 Westfalia Subaru EJ22
Manual Transmission |
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figborg
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2015
Posts: 338
Location: Northeast
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:24 pm Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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I first used Tilex which worked well but was waaaay overkill and super toxic to breathe even with plenty of ventilation. Never again. The second application in other areas of the fuzzy liner was bleach with water and it was also effective. The mold has not resurfaced.
You can see before and after pics at the bottom of this page from my “build thread”.
_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374 |
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driftertjs
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Mouldy-Oldie help ! |
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Good News ! The mildew is gone ! One cup of bleach in one gallon water. wiped area down with solution & rag, then scrubbed with brush. Followed up with plain water & re-scrubbed. I did remove the upper bunk cushions & laid down plastic sheet before hand. Will leave top up a couple of days to dry out.
Thanks for the advice.
Terry |
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