window condensation

[duka]

seems with this colder weather upon us, all the vantage windows are condensating up - obviously a interior moisture issue, which on older cars I'd have hazarded a guess at heater matrix but all floors etc are dry. i'm going to try and have a look at drain holes etc at the weekend, but any clues where, what to look for or common problems??

[steveatesh]

Mine does this too, the front screen mists up quickly when I leave it, I ve imagined its just a feature of the car. However, if you do find something that might cause it I'd appreciate knowing what it is please

[mikey k]

If you've not had the aircon on ANY moisture will condense out on the glass as it cools quicker to a lower temp.
Obviously a leak will make it worse.

[MichaelV8V]

If you open the rear hatch when its been raining, that can tip some water into the boot, naturally that happens more in winter

[snuffy]

I've had this happen in quite a few previous cars. Water can get in just by opening the windows or doors in the wet, it does not mean it's leaking.

Here's my method for getting rid of it:

Take it for a drive, then whack the heater on full pelt with the windows closed. When it's as hot as you can stand, open the windows and let the hot air out. Repeat a few times. It will remove the moisture - well, it's worked for me on more than one occasion.

[pilgrim7777]

Get some silica/sand filled absorbtion packs such as...


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000XUPEJY/ref=...
the above is probably the most suitable

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HOME-DEHUMIDIFIER-MOISTURE...

Two packs swop one them every week and dry one out on a radiator.. job done...

Edited by pilgrim7777 on Saturday 7th December 07:42

[Manwhoneverwas]

My V8VR is really bad for condensation sometimes, it also lives outside on the driveway.

I bought the small version of this dehumidifier (very compact) and if the car is really bad condensation wise I plug it into an outside electrical socket adjacent to my car and sit the unit in the passenger footwell.

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/coopers-of-sto...

[PiloteAM]

The aircon unit should dehumidify very effectively.

[FatFrank]

PiloteAM said:

The aircon unit should dehumidify very effectively.

+1 ^^^
the air con should be used regularly, and will ensure that moisture does not build up in the car. I suspect a lot of UK owners only use it on the hottest of days when they want to cool down. I have my AC on almost all the time whenever I drive no matter what the weather, and never have any misting.

The amount of moisture that can collect normally in a car is pretty amazing. Just let the engine run with the AC on and watch water start to drip out the AC drain onto the floor.

FF

[GTDB7]

Aircon drains / heater box

If the AC drains block up then water cannot drain out and thus finds it's way back onto the glass.

If everything is as it should be then it'll be basic damp in the air, every time the door is opened damp air is sucked in, if it's wet outside you'll carry it in on your clothes and shoes etc...

I use 99p damp traps. Scented, I find the Vanilla ones smell a little like leather, or certainly not a million miles away so doesn't leave any dodgy womanly smell in the Aston ;-)

I simply use two of these over winter one in the back one in the front and it keeps most of the air within the car moisture free.

Also be mindful of the air vents, they won't always seal off from the outside and this alone will allow enough damp air to bleed into the car also.


Best method if you can be bothered would be a small 15W heater (solid pipe or oil filled) and use that with two damp traps and the car will never be damp again.

[GTDB7]

A couple of links to some 15W mains powered heaters.


http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/enclosure-heating-el...


http://www.jevi.dk/en-GB/Products/Heating-of-air/C...


Both of these devices would require mounting on a base to keep it off the floor due to their high surface temps.

Example: Wooden base with 4" pillars and an alloy plate where the element would be mounted to.

This allows for a stable base with air flow around the heater plate.

Edited by GTDB7 on Sunday 8th December 18:47

[Vince70]

Not got a Aston myself but every time I've had a cabriolet or any car for that matter which suffers condensation I've used shaving foam on the inside of the windscreen..
It works a treat, plus you could always try a bit of silicon grease on the door rubbers to make a tight seal..but only use Silicon as anything oil based will rot the rubbers...