2002 Audi AllRoad Mold Remova/Restoration

First I want to thank DJ Mayo, David Fermani, and Barry Theal for their ideas and thoughts on this detail.

I got an email from the owner and said his Audi had some mold. I have done some light mold work before and wasn't too worried about it :cool1: I decided to go check out the car to put together a more exact estimate. This Audi had a leak coming from the firewall, causing the drivers side floor to be soaked. It was put away in a garage for about 4 months or so for the winter.
So what does 4 months of wet car interior look like...:sick1:







































After some discussion, and research, I decided to use an Enzyme Mold Cleaner called sporicidin. I knew this would be a two day project. I suited up, using a mask, gloves, long sleeve shirt tucked into the glove, and some old pants. I was going to throw away everything I was wearing so I looked like pretty silly

I diluted it in a bucket, and in a spray bottle. Not wanting the mold to get airborne I sprayed everything down with the sporicidin mixture and let it sit for a few minutes. Even after just spraying I saw a huge improvement. I was concerned about pitting on the leather but fortunately the mold wasn't on there long enough to pit the leather. I then continued to go over the entire interior with towels from the buckets rinsing after about every square foot or so, I wanted to remove it not spread it around.










Even though I was using the sporicidin I decided to break out the steamer to assist in the mold killing. I have a Polti 2085 steamer that is absolutely amazing at producing steam, I don't know what I would have done without it. I steamed the carpets and lightly hit the seams of the leather. The air ducts were steamed also.

 

After Day 1 I went back to finish up. After setting up a mini dehumidifier all night I got about a quart of water. I included the cost of this in the detail and left it with the owner to ensure that the entire car got dry. He will be using it daily until no more water appears.

All of the leather was then cleaned and conditioned using Lexol. I decided to use the Lexol instead of Leathurique due to time. Any plastic was dressed using Optimum Protectant Plus.








































Thanks for looking as always Greg

 

are you for real...

 

Yeah why? It wasn't THAT bad

 

That looks so nasty. I would never be able to step in that car and NOT picture all that mold. I'd feel dirty sitting in there despite how clean it is now lol.

Nonetheless great recovery. You're a trooper for taking on the job.

 

wow great job

 

That was true defenition of SICK! It doesn't get any sicker then mold!

 

Holy sh!t, that is some of the craziest stuff I've ever seen.

 

you really should have had a full blown hazmat suit for that job! Jeez, that was the nastiest by far I've ever seen but great job !!

 

I hope that owner doesn't plan on keeping that. I know i wouldn't be able to drive her again, at least not willingly.

 

some seriously crazy stuff there
nice recovery lol

 

Damn, that's freaking insane. Great work.

 

wheres the vomit emoticon? I wouldn't want to drive that even after your miracle work. The possibility of spores inside the A/C vents waiting to bloom. Great job nonetheless

 

I'm surprised you took the job.... That is little mold indeed, but he left out some choice words. Little part without mold.....

Is he getting rid of that thing? I don't think you can get rid of mold that easily. I won't feel comfortable driving that car anymore.

 

great clean up, kudos for having the balls to do it

but you've only cleaned the surface, wouldnt there also be mould behind the door trims, buttons, switchs etc

perhaps time for an accidental on purpose fire in the home garage

 

Wow, that was horrible. Excellent work and dedication to turn that thing around.

-Kody-

 

Dude, you just had the Freddy Kruger of detailing jobs, good thing you chuck norrised' him....even if I was a pro detailer I don't think I could take that job

 

Seriously I can only imagine up under/behind the dash above the pedal area and so many more spots like this that are very difficult to clean without removing the entire interior. This would be a major pass for me!

 

I would have bought a gallon of 93 octane and a Bic lighter. You did a great job, but that mold will be back. Did the owner drive the car to you like that?

 

iv been lurking detailing threads for years now and i've never seen anything like what you took on there. You did great work and like others are saying i hope this guy is selling the car b/c that mold will be slowly creeping back within the next few months and will certainly not be smelling very good.