Convertible Mold Issues?

[m3f_Angella_c036ec6b5f]

Anyone have any issues with mold growing on the back seat in their vert?!?



A friends car, she drives it daily - we've had a lot of rain lately, and she's started getting some growth (disgusting!) on the leather in the back seat only.



I'm thinking it's because the way the top connects to the back/sides (right behind the side windows).



Anyone have any recommendations? The rubber here looks pretty good - she parks the car in the garage most of the time, but it sits out at work, etc.





I was thinking about getting an E36 vert myself - but if this is a common problem, I'm a little afraid...

[m3f_Estoril73_908f73b8cc]

It all depends on how the owner takes care of the convertible top. I use Raggtopp to clean and protect the top which beads off water since our tops are made of canvas rather than vinyl. It suggests to this yearly. As for the leather seats growing mold, that could be reason of a very damp garage and the rain we've been recently having causing serious moisture!

[m3f_Angella_c036ec6b5f]

yeah, it's funny - she was complaining about the top (and how much nicer her mustangs top was being vinyl : )



I use some kind of similar stuff on mine... just in a spray can. I think that may very well be it.



It's a newer home, and her garage is dry - they've been opening the windows to let it air out, and that helps, but it's still getting nasty.



I'll suggest raggtopp - thanks!

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

If theres mold, water is getting in somehow.



I would look for a water leak and try to fix it first.

[m3f_Angella_c036ec6b5f]

yeah, I *think* it's leaking where the top comes down (on the sides, near the back) but the rubber looks good there...



The only other leak would be the top itself (needs treated) - which I think might be the other problem, because the top felt wet to her (from the inside).



Thanks - I doubt I can find raggtopp, I'll probably try the scotch guard stuff I used on my vert.

[m3f_Estoril73_908f73b8cc]

I ordered the RaggTopp cleaning kit from www.autogeek.net (http://www.autogeek.net) I believe it came from Ohio, so that would be fairly close to you. The kit cost about $30 and still have plenty left for another year's worth. I would suggest to remove the seats or maybe the interior since water must be getting in there anyways. Water + Metal = Rust!! Nooooo.

[m3f_Serious_eeb8859403]

check the top lid tightness by running a credit card or butter knife to check where the gasket is meeting the top lid, then adjust.



make sure the drain holes in the top are clear.



make sure the weatherstripping on the bottom of the top is sealing.



take the rear seats out til you get the problem fixed.



same thing happened to me it turned out to be the way the top lid was meeting the weatherstripping, adjusted and its been perfect.

[m3f_Angella_c036ec6b5f]

how exactly do you adjust? Will it be in my chiltons, or really obvious?



I've been working on this friends 4runner this week (head gasket) so I haven't had much time to look at it... but I will see her tomorrow (and probably the next day too : )

[m3f_Serious_eeb8859403]

there are shims in the top lid where it mounts to the arms. you can slide the lid forward or back wards.



check with a feeler gague, butterknife, credit card etc.

[m3f_ZimZimmer]

Yeah same prob here in the UK! My car is at the dealer now... Having an costly full seal replacement kit. I too thought the seals were okay but the dealer says they need doing. Hopefully no more mold on the back seats!