Best way to dry damp carpets in convertible?
Best way to dry damp carpets in convertible?
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Discussion

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
I've got some wet carpets in my car, fairly sure I know where the leak is and I'll sort that tomorrow.

Question is, what is the best way to dry the carpets in this cold weather (car lives outside)

Is it take the car for a drive, heater on full with the roof on to get temperature high inside the cabin OR drive it with the roof off, again heater on full to get some air in the cabin?

Thanks

Shaw Tarse

31,892 posts

233 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
Cat litter?

Matt UK

18,084 posts

230 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
Put some dehumidifying eggs in overnight. My wifes car suffered this due to a leak in the rear washer jet hose. They worked a treat.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/130966957392?limghl...

Searider

1,005 posts

285 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
Wet vac the carpets to get as much moisture out then heater on full directed to the floor with the windows cracked open a little.

Don't reckon it will make much difference whether you are driving or not - but might as well go for a couple of hours drive, May have to repeat - ie regular use.

anonymous-user

84 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
If it were me I'd put my dehumidifier in the car and run it for a day.

Do you know anybody with one?

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
Topbox said:
If it were me I'd put my dehumidifier in the car and run it for a day.

Do you know anybody with one?
I've got one but the ambient temp is so cold it won't really remove anything.

Riley Blue

23,205 posts

256 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
I put an electric fan heater on an extension cable in the footwell overnight. Dry carpet in the morning.

fausTVR

1,442 posts

180 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
If it's your Chim, those front carpets come straight out, they're not glued in, dry slowly indoors over a few days as they are thick, and use the car without until you have sorted the leak. A fan heater and dehumidifier in cabin for the remaining. smile

jellypig

112 posts

177 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
A900ss said:
I've got one but the ambient temp is so cold it won't really remove anything.
A desiccating dehumidifier operates down to lower ambient temperatures (or so I was told when I bought one...)

I wouldn't put a fan/blow heater in the car and leave it unattended though...

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
jellypig said:
A desiccating dehumidifier operates down to lower ambient temperatures (or so I was told when I bought one...)

I wouldn't put a fan/blow heater in the car and leave it unattended though...
Do you have a dessicant dehumidifier?

Does it remove moisture well in the cold temperatures?

Thanks.

billzeebub

3,911 posts

229 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
Depends how damp?! If you have the patience an electric hair drier is fairly effective, just don't hold too close to scorch the carpet

vincenz

694 posts

262 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
My local car wash offers this service, they run the engine on with the heaters on full and a de-hudmifier in the car they move round.

Maybe worth visiting them and asking how much or doing it yourself?


cologne2792

2,151 posts

156 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
Down here in rural Devon we would find the nearest bodyshop and ask for about 30 minutes of oven time.

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
cologne2792 said:
Down here in rural Devon we would find the nearest bodyshop and ask for about 30 minutes of oven time.
Not sure that's advisable on a fibreglass car.

smile

jellypig

112 posts

177 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
A900ss said:
Do you have a dessicant dehumidifier?

Does it remove moisture well in the cold temperatures?

Thanks.
I have a Meaco. http://www.morethanpolish.com/dehumidifiers-car-st...

I have a concrete sectional detached garage remote from the house, insulated with 50mm of foam. (but a bit of a gap under the door which is today's project)
There is thick ice on the windscreen of my daily, and the houses down the street.

But I just went outside and listened, and I can hear the Meaco running. (didnt open the garage door)
No idea what the temp is "In garage" but outside is freezing or lower... garage wont be much warmer..

I drove my play car back from a cambelt service on the Monday before Christmas and the storm chased me all the way home.
Drove straight into the garage and fired up the Meaco on max-chat. By close of play that day the external surfaces were dry (didnt want to towel as the car was also dirty- scratchage) By midway through the day after, inside the door shut lines were dry and any dribblage into the interior (targa roof) was also dry...

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Jellypig.


andy-xr

13,204 posts

234 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
I have a leaky convertible too

I've got a Vax, so I'm planning on getting as much water out of the carpet as I can today and leaving the roof off while it's not raining just so it doesnt get mouldy. The Vax takes more water out the carpet than my wet n dry and giving it a wash with either carpet shampoo or fabric conditioner keeps it smelling half decent

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
A900ss said:
Topbox said:
If it were me I'd put my dehumidifier in the car and run it for a day.

Do you know anybody with one?
I've got one but the ambient temp is so cold it won't really remove anything.
Combine it with a electric heater? I've done this to dry the interior after a shampooing.

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,314 posts

182 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
Topbox said:
A900ss said:
Topbox said:
If it were me I'd put my dehumidifier in the car and run it for a day.

Do you know anybody with one?
I've got one but the ambient temp is so cold it won't really remove anything.
Combine it with a electric heater? I've done this to dry the interior after a shampooing.
I've had an electric heater x 2 AND a conventional dehumidifier in the car all day.

Carpets now mostly dry but no water whatsoever in the dehumidifier.

I've also been busy with the Sikaflex and sealant so hopefully no repeat performances.

I still think I might buy a desiccant dehumidifier.

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
A900ss said:
Topbox said:
A900ss said:
Topbox said:
If it were me I'd put my dehumidifier in the car and run it for a day.

Do you know anybody with one?
I've got one but the ambient temp is so cold it won't really remove anything.
Combine it with a electric heater? I've done this to dry the interior after a shampooing.
I've had an electric heater x 2 AND a conventional dehumidifier in the car all day.

Carpets now mostly dry but no water whatsoever in the dehumidifier.

I've also been busy with the Sikaflex and sealant so hopefully no repeat performances.

I still think I might buy a desiccant dehumidifier.
What dehumidifier have you got? Mine isn't a desiccant (although I've heard they are good) but fills up quickly. It was about £200 though.