Restoration issue

[72Fourspeed]

I have a chance to pick up a long coveted 73 Charger SE. Car is a triple black,400-4v,column shift with bench seat. Optioned nicely with the usual amenities. But(my favorite word) it has lived in Washington state for at least 5 years. I have only seen pix, not the car in person. The pix show what looks like mold & mildew on the exterior. If it's on the outside, what's the effect on the rest of the car? Will it be plagued with moisture issues forever, or will it dry out if left in dry warm storage for a bit ? Anybody have this problem before? How did it work out ? Thanx for your help, Don.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

:evil6: LOL - What area in Washington - We do have desert you know. My Dart came from the dry side Spokane area, yet still had lichen on the outside around the trim. And mold on the inside seat vinyl, which scrubbed off. Floor needs replacing from rain and snow water getting in and rusting them from the top down. Rear qtrs need patches down low.

Post some pics!

:toothy2:

 

[72Fourspeed]

All the upholstery is shot. My concern is will car ever dry out enough to eliminate mold ? Mold in house is a big deal, will it cause problems in the car? It's from somewhere north of Portland, but on the Washington side.

 

[HawkRod]

I don't think there is any way to answer your question without a detailed look at he car. Our old cars do not like moisture, but the outside of the car is probably best protected than any other area. If moisture has been sitting inside, in the trunk, floor boards, etc., then that can mean major surgery to repair.

Only way to find out is to dig in and look...

 

[WAYNES WORLD]

I know some people that purchased flood cars to flip but they could never get the mold smell out of the car.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

If you are taking it down to the metal sure..........

Pics?

 

[72Fourspeed]

Car is on CL Portland. Seems like a good guy, wants what is best for car. 1973 Dodge Charger SE. Look there.

 

[Dako]

The short of it...once the interior has the funk in the soft materials...headliner, seat materials (backside of the vinyl, burlap covering the springs), the door panels, and carpet, the only real way to get it out is to replace the effected (infected) materials. Stuff like door panels may 'air out' a bit if cleaned well then left exposed to dry heat long enough, i.e.: stuffed the attic of the garage over a summer, but carpets, seat upholstery, and headliners would most likely all need to be replaced. Money well spent in any restoration in my opinion...

 

[Dako]

All the upholstery is shot. My concern is will car ever dry out enough to eliminate mold ? Mold in house is a big deal, will it cause problems in the car? It's from somewhere north of Portland, but on the Washington side.

As for the cars 'carcass'...you can use various cleaning solutions...water/ Royal Purple, water/ bleach etc., to clean the metal surfaces inside. You will also need to clean the heater box, vents, defrost ducts, etc. It's not so hard, just time consuming, since it all needs to be removed, dis-assembled and then cleaned to get-er' done properly.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Yes the West coast is WET................ But then my son is in school at Emory in Atlanta Ga in the south - which gets the same average rain fall. Difference is, they get it in down pours all at once. We get a constant mist year round.....

I am sure where ever you are in Idaho - gets a bit of rain too. Saw a couple nice Moose in a swamp there once, on my way to Dave Smith in Kellogg to buy my tow rig.


:upside down:

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Car is on CL Portland. Seems like a good guy, wants what is best for car. 1973 Dodge Charger SE. Look there.

This one? Not seeing a huge mold or moss issue....

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4268994296.html


A couple '73 SE's better in condition:

http://bend.craigslist.org/cto/4240237679.html

http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/4193635458.html

:3gears: