Hot Rods UNLOCKED THE DOOR & TURNED ON THE LIGHTS - FIRST TIME IN A MONTH!

In the scheme of things, a little mold is no big deal. Glad you are up and about.

 

Danny
These work reasonably well for the money but they sure have gone up in price.
Bought some many years ago when we stripped our 66 Suburban completely down to bare metal.



https://www.acehardware.com/departm...and-accessories/interior-rv-accessories/86392

 

I use a product called DampRid in the 18oz. tub size. Many other container sizes available. Available at Walmart. Danny I met you some years ago at Shades, glad you’re on the mend.

 

White vinegar on a sponge Danny, then you can go back over it with armor all once it dries. If the vinegar smell is too strong, cut it 25% with water

 

Hello,
Good to see you are up and around. Sorry about your water episode. With that last hurricane/tropical storm that hit So Cal a week or two ago, it was the first time since 1939 that a powerful storm came into USA proper and did what it did. In Long Beach, we saw the last remnant of a house still standing from the original row of the destruction. Any search of Alamitos Bay will show one house and the a long stretch of sand until the next set of homes on the peninsula start. There used to be a row of homes, but were destroyed by the 1939 storm.

By the time it came into So Cal and moved northeast, it brought rain that we had never seen before. Our house is situated to get the usual suspects from the northwestern storms. And in the summer, the usual tropical storms that bring some rain hitting the southern exposure of our house. This time, with the swirling around of the core, and the center being nearby, one side of the house got more rain in two days than in almost 40 years.

That side of the house got drenched for the first time since we moved in 20+ years ago. Yes, we got some flooding from the downpour. The unusual rain flooded our side yard and the water came into our house. The insurance denied any claim if we were to make one, due to not having flood insurance. Flood insurance on a hill top property? That was funny…

Wherever you store your car(s), there is some moisture that is getting inside of the structure. In an old house that we used to live in that was built in 1963, someone had poured a concrete patio up against the house's weep edging. No air was able to go in and circulate. So, the inside of the closet that backed up to the wall started getting some mildew. We used those dessicants in the white plastic containers. They worked well. The moisture got absorbed well.

This dessicants solved the problem from the inside. I had to go out and clear out the concrete away from the house to let the weep edging do its job, mildew solved. But prior to this, we also used those crystals in a plastic container. That soaked up the moisture, but was a pain to empty without spilling.
Davis Air-Dryr 1000 Mildew Fighter

This device plugs into any outlet and is relatively trouble free. There are no moving parts and it is a low powered heating plate underneath. No fire hazard unless you store it next to stuff that will combust over time. On a concrete floor, it is best. on carpeting, you might want to place a floor tile underneath.

We had one plugged into the shore power outlet and that kept our old boat dry all winter. Just sitting in the dock, thin fiberglass walls weep moisture during the California winters and it runs down the side of the interior walls to the sump. Sometimes, during the winter when people are sleeping and it is cold outside, ordinary breathing moisture builds up inside the walls and runs down the walls to the sump, too.

When this device was turned on, the moisture on the walls was not there. One other advantage is that the minimal heat the comes from the heating coil provides a slight heated cabin, when waking up or upon arrival the next time to go sailing. It does work. In your case, you might need at least two of them, depending on how large your garage is and how much it is exposed to the weather.

Jnaki

If you put one in each car, you might want to roll down the windows slightly and put a floor tile under this heating device. For the small space, it definitely will keep everything dry and no mildew smell. This Davis Company makes smaller versions, but they don't put out as much drying power.

Note: For those that constantly like to keep active, dessicants are easy and also get the job done. but, it does take work. Dessicants versus the Davis Air Dryer, there is no contest. The dryer plugs in and that the work is done while you are gone. If the whole area is clear of any combustibles, you will have a dry area.

Desiccants are a good way to get the moisture out, but if you cannot get the desiccants from a shipping company, then go to your local big box store or Amazon. The problem with dessicants is that they work and can be placed anywhere. But, if there is any moisture or a lot of it coming from an unnamed source, then the dessicants suck up the moisture and the white bowl becomes full of water.

These plastic containers with Damp Rid Pellets work well, but you have to check them every day to empty out the liquid that fills up the container. Dump the excess and put it back in place. The hanging ones are great, but as they absorb moisture, get overloaded, they drip or leak. So, we have only used these large plastic containers for ease of use and emptying. But, that was before becoming sold on the plug in Davis Air Dryers.

But, for garage with the body empty, you can safely place one of the Davis Air Dryers in place and shut the door. It heats up the whole area without a flame or hot coals. You can leave it plugged in overnight as long as the top and bottom are not clogged up with combustible materials. Air flow is a must. We had it sitting on a large piece of floor tile and it worked well. Always wipe off the top surface to keep the dust and other combustible stuff out of the holes.

Silent, quiet and corded to heat the areas that have moisture. Keep away from combustible materials or place on a ceramic tile piece while plugged in the areas.

Wherever you store your car(s), there is some moisture that is getting inside of the structure.
If you put one in each car, you might want to roll down the windows slightly and put a floor tile under this heating device. For the small space, it definitely will keep everything dry and no mildew smell.

Also, did you check your car heater/hoses for leaks under the carpet? This Davis Company makes smaller versions, but they don't put out as much drying power, but they can be placed in small areas, too. YRMV

 

Like a fine dust that refuses to wipe off. Mine was spotty in places like plastic on the dash.

I know all about the energy thing. I was home for 2 days, realized I needed a shave and a shower... the shaving task sapped all of my energy. I had my son stand by outside the bathroom in case I needed help getting out of the shower.

Cigna was nice enough to throw in 12 PT sessions at home. The 2nd guy that was sent was terrified of cats... my little feral lunged for the badge on his belt. I did exercises holding onto the kitchen counter, outside down off the deck and around the yard. NOBODY even looked at the pool for about 15 days... I graduated to walking down to the dead end and back.

Most of my problems were associated with being held in a coma for close to 5 days. I was cleared to drive on election day that year, a milestone. I did sneak out earlier to get a haircut. I knew I was going to live after I had a cold beer after being home for a few days.

My advice, set yourself small goals and rest when you have to. I would catch a nap most days for a while. I would wake up with 2 cats curled up on me.

 

Hurray! Glad to know that you’re up and going, even at a reduced level.
You’re a better man than me. I can’t get caught up with home projects enough to do any more in the shop except turn the lights on and make sure that the cars are still there.
Continue your recovery!

 

Keep company with your cats, They are showing you that they love you, and missed you while you were in the hospital.

 

It could be worse. The mould could be on you from not moving around enough.

 

Glad to see you getting back into the garage sir. Small steps as you recover.

 

Glad to hear you are out in the shop.

 

If Vinyl, then 409 that stuff..

Oh, there is some things called DampRid at the stores. Grab a few of them asap, put one in the sedan, and the other two in the garage this will help get rid of the humidity fast while you wait for the dehumidifier.

 

Danny you reached out to me through some rough times for me and I'm glad your on the mend, Me too done with chemo and getting my strength back. I always leave a floor fan running in my shop whether i"m in there or not to circulate the air. I'm in Kansas but in the summer it gets hot and humid anyway at times in the shop. Lippy

 

Danny, I had mildew, black, on the leather seats of my off topic German car. I use towels wetted with vinegar draped over the seats. A day later all mildew done and the black marks on my tan leather were gone. Something to think about if you do ever get black mildew...

 

I was gone for 11 days, came home from the hospital with a WALKER (they hit me $13 for the co-pay as I exited the hospital) and had to come in thru the back door on the deck... I was turning into my father.

The cats looked at me like I was an alien from space... they smelled me... not the same... sniffed at me some more. Eventually they believed I was back. I camped out in a recliner for about 2 months as my chest healed. Most nights they curled up on me and snoozed. In the daytime too. It was a comfort.

The walker lasted exactly 3 days... out it went on trash night, good riddance.

 

Apparently rust and mildew never sleeps, good to see you back in the saddle.

 

Dollar General( if you have one ) has a product called Awesome . Got small container and or big/sometimes even with a spray nozzle.
It is as good as I’ve ever seen on upholstery /vinyl and the like. Yet it doesn’t or I haven’t seen it harm any surface it cleans. Has an odor between citrus and pine oil.
Glad you are back on the mend. Time. Precious time. You’ll be there like nothing ever happened. Maybe better.
As for the shop. It gets very humid here. In the big shop it’s not as much a problem as the little one. A single window air conditioner/heater unit set on 78 degrees year round has worked for us for years. Only made a bout 4$ a month difference on light bill when set on economy mode.That shop is 40X40. Just a thought.

 

something my dad always does is make sure there are drains in garages

 

I use a LG Puticare dehumidifier, tank holds a gallon.. auto shut off when full
It also can have a hose hooked up to it to drain... timer starts at 1 hour, you can set it for more

Straight white distilled vinegar for mold, lysol all purpose spray cleaner does not choke meup as some other cleaners... tough stuff is good for stains

I would wear a mask and wet anything down before wiping so you dont inhale any particulates

I may get an ozone machine after reading the above posts

You can also purchase dessicant in tins, after they are soaked you put then in the oven on warm with the door cracked and reuse them.


Ricky


Ricky

 

Good to hear You are out and about. Air flow is needed to keep Your garage dry . Dehumidifier. A friend of mine bought a small cement block building that is the size of a 2 1/2 car garage. It was once a butcher shop. It has a flat roof that is a 8” thick slab of cement. He had mold growing everywhere in there when he left for a week. He was given a window a/c unit . He put it in the back door and turned it on . It has helped dry out his building. Plus making it nice and cool to work on cars

 

I can report that I began trying what I had on hand, the first thing I tried was Windex because I started with the windshield and tried it on the seats, worked like it was made for the job, I wiped everything down with fresh water then used some Adan's interior detailer I got as a door prize at a local show.

Until I get the dehumidifier all hooked up I am running a small fan to keep the air moving. HRP

 

Honestly Danny, I'd say to hell with the dehumidifier and just put a window A/C unit in. It'll keep the shop cool AND dehumidified at the same time.
A window A/C unit was the BEST addition to the shop I EVER made!

 

I have heat & air in the shop, it's well insulated but running the all the time gets expensive. HRP