musty convertible smell

[Stan Mowre]

I have an older restoration 1963 Roadster in beautiful shape. One thing it has is a constant musty smell even with the top down. Is there a product I can lock inside the car or use that will reduce or eliminate that?
Thank-you.

[Joseph T.]

Re: musty convertible smell

Try putting a dryer sheet under each seat..

[Jim W.]

Re: musty convertible smell

Stan, I have used Arm & Hammer baking soda poured into a flat open container and left in the floor area. It supposedly absorbs odor usually caused by dampness. Jim Weeks - Member #2978

[Pat M.]

Re: musty convertible smell

Stan - I had the same problem with my 70 convertible. I tried many, many things, and most helped, but didn't eliminate the odor. However, my car is in a climate-controlled garage, and I'm convinced that keeping it dry and cool for a long period of time was the answer, because the smell is now completely gone. I'm not 100% positive that was the answer, but most odors come from bacteria, and I believe a dry environment eventually kills them. Patrick Moresi #45581

[Rich G.]

Re: musty convertible smell

My 66 vert got wet last fall on the carpet area behind the seats. I did not realize it and when I got back to car a week later, there was mold growing back there. I tried a bunch of things, but finally ended uo replacing the sound deadening material, the pad and the carpet.

Make sure that everything is dry. My rug was dry, but the stuff underneath was holding moisture.

Rich 38594

[Joseph T.]

Re: musty convertible smell

Mold is usually the problem. There are some good odor equalizers now available for pet issues.

You can spray some of this type product on a towel and wipe down areas of your carpet, door panels, convertible top etc..to help counteract the smell.

You can also put some dessicant drying agent under your seats to help prevent the mold. This is the stuff you find in a little packet in your newly purchased shoe box to prevent mold while in transit in the hot sticky humidity of an ocean container. Any presence of bacteria, heat and humidity and you will get mold...and odor.

Water soaked molded carpets can be steam cleaned and then treated...and thoroughly dried.

Patrick nailed it..keep things dry.

[ed styczynski]

Re: musty convertible smell

I too used Arm & Hammer Baking Soda - I first sprinkled some all over the carpet then let it sit for a day. Vacuumed it up really well - then put a tray of it on the floor for a couple of days. I also sprayed Fabreeze of the rugs, I keep the tray of baking soda handy in the garage which I then put back in the car when I park.

[Chris Patrick]

Re: musty convertible smell

If it is hot and sunny where you are, park the car in the sun, put the top up or down to let the sun hit the area affected, and let it sit a few hours. Open the rear deck lid and the doors, too, to let as much sun and wind get in.

Do this for a couple of days to dry and air it out.

Odds are you have mildew in there, besides just the green mold, and then you have to replace all the soft stuff that was affected - seat covers, foam, carpet, etc.

Good luck.

[Albert P.]

Re: musty convertible smell

I used an "Odor Eliminator" by Petrotech, available at Petland Discounts, with good results.