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Monkapod
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2013
Posts: 9
Location: Wilmette, IL
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 Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:06 am Post subject: cleaning pop-up interior ceiling -anyone? |
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... 10/4/2013 new addition to our family -77 Westfalia -I imagine we will be visiting here frequently!
...thank God there is no mold or mildew smell, however there are some mildew spots and just general dirt marks on the ceiling of the pop up. It seems to be some kind of fuzzy felt just sprayed? on or applied to the surface after a tacky coat was applied? Whatever it is, it does not seem to be a surface that will welcome a sponge and water/soap/bleach scrubbing. Has anyone tackled this before -with any success... |
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Bala
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003
Posts: 2613
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: |
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I used a 10% bleach solution and it worked pretty well. Let it sit on there overnight, then I followed with a spray mold inhibitor the next day. Be sure to cover your upper bunks and anything you don't want spots on. I had the canvas out, so that was nice to not have to worry about, plus the ventilation was nice.
And it's called flocking, that might help in searching here or on the web. 
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1976 Westy
1966 Beetle
Last edited by Bala on Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:34 am; edited 2 times in total |
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AB westy nut
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2010
Posts: 1124
Location: Calgary, Alberta
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Read my thread here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=431790
The inside of the top was quite grungy/mouldy and it came out looking like brand new.
_________________
1963 Ruby Red 356 Cabriolet
1976 Sage Green Westfalia Deluxe |
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tootype2crazy
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007
Posts: 1276
Location: St. Louis Missouri
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Earl 78 westy
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007
Posts: 364
Location: Jersey
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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i used a spray bottle with warm water and 1/3 straight bleach. Sparayed it on there, waited a a few minutes and then scrubbed it lightly with a brush.....all the mold come off and looks great.
oh and the mold has not returned 
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Just another VW girl driving a bus....
78' Westy named Feo.
04' Jetta TDI
check out my stuff on ebay....
http://www.ebay.com/sch/simplefundesigns/m.html?_n...ksid=p3686
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kkjellquist
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Joined: June 04, 2013
Posts: 752
Location: Asheville, NC
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22463
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| kkjellquist wrote: |
Don't make it too complicated....something with a bit of bleach and lots of elbow grease. A very nice wife works well too!
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THIS!
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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DaleNW
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2012
Posts: 169
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed. Mild bleach, elbow grease, and a person to do it for you.
But be sure to avoid getting any of the bleach solution on the canvas tent. It will weaken the fabric and cause it to fail.
If you really want to get after it, you can remove all the flocking and purchase a new flocking kit to restore the fuzz.
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace) |
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AB westy nut
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2010
Posts: 1124
Location: Calgary, Alberta
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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If you're replacing the canvas anyway, it's easiest IMHO to take the top right off and turn it upside down to clean it.
_________________
1963 Ruby Red 356 Cabriolet
1976 Sage Green Westfalia Deluxe |
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archemitis
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2012
Posts: 229
Location: minneapolis mn
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| The flocking is nice to have in damp weather. It keeps condensation on the ceiling from turning in to rain drops. |
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shiningstar76
Samba Brewer
Joined: July 12, 2003
Posts: 2689
Location: Savannah
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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We got rid of bleach. Vinegar works just as well.
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KK4NTP
96 Tacoma
86 4Runner
My bus caught on fire and is now on the other coast with someone who gave me money for it. |
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Hoody
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2007
Posts: 1948
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Buy a bottle of marine clean and cut it to a 25% solution. Mine looked liked it was new after using this. Plus you don't need to worry about the bleach destroying any fabric, carpet, etc. using a big sponge I just misted it on let it work for 10 minutes or so and then used the big sponge with clean water to "dab" the top to remove any of the solution. None of the flocking was lost and it was as good as new. Hope this helps. |
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Monkapod
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2013
Posts: 9
Location: Wilmette, IL
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| Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:57 am Post subject: |
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...wow guys! thanks for all the info!
...I was just afraid mixed solutions (ex. bleach) could damage the 'finish'....all makes sense. We do plan on changing the canvas eventually, probably next year, so I think we will wait for the super clean job and maybe just do a spot clean here and there for right now.
...and of course! -the flocking is for condensation control! -those Germans think of everything! -genius! I have to say the attention to design detail and how those details can make all more convenient and user friendly, is incredibly impressive on this compact mobile dwelling!
...so I will save my real elbow grease for the canvas switch -because, btw, this post is from 'the very nice wife'! 
Thanks again!...and we welcome any other tips or advise... |
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Boesen
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2011
Posts: 536
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| AB westy nut wrote: |
| If you're replacing the canvas anyway, it's easiest IMHO to take the top right off and turn it upside down to clean it. |
This is exactly what we did along with new seals all the way around. We used bleach, and tea tree oil mixture. Scrubbed and Removed it all. Still four years almost later and all is well. Also have the Gowesty Wasser-Stopper that we install outside of canvas when it is gonna rain, so canvas stays dry, remove WS after rain stops. Dry canvas all the time.
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1979 Westfalia Deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474334&highlight=iowa |
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