Windows left open...ideas?

[Mark Rinker]

:p Yesterday was a beautiful, 70-degree sunny fall day. I pulled into the driveway, expecting to be out the driveway again that afternoon...

:) But the phone rang a few times, the kids got home from school, dinner was on, and...and...

:rolleyes: Last night, while we were sleeping, I dreamed of Noah's Ark. All the animals were coming up the ramp in pairs, to be saved from certain destruction. (Meanwhile, outside it was thundering and raining buckets and buckets and BUCKETS...)

:eek: 6AM...something isn't right...not sure what it might be...

:mad: I LEFT BOTH THE WINDOWS OPEN on the 2006 in my driveway. Its absolutely soaked inside, like someone drove it into a lake. The only good news is it has matt floors. The cloth seats are so wet that water nearly pools where you push your hands into them, the door map pocket are half full of water.

:rolleyes: So, I started the truck, CLOSED THE WINDOWS, turned the heater and the A/C on MAX, and left it to run, in hopes that the heat, combined with dry air from the A/C will begin to pull some moisture out of the interior. Later this morning, I'll drive up to the carwash and vaccuum the seats with the best vaccuum I can find.

:( AAARRRGGGHHH.

Any other ideas out there?

[DmaxMaverick]

Bummer!

Not a lot you can do. It has to dry out quickly or mold/mildew will grab hold, and that smell almost never goes away. The heat and A/C is a good idea, but it works better if you use recirc (if the heat setting doesn't automatically select it). Visit a hobby or craft store and pick up a pound or two of desiccant (used for flower drying). Place small amounts all around the interior, in every nook/cranny you can find. Small pill bottles with holes drilled in them work well, as do cloth sacs, don't just sprinkle it around. Check them once a day, and if any change color, dry it in the oven or microwave (if the brand states, some do not work in the microwave). The desiccant will work even when the truck is off. Leave the windows up so the greenhouse effect will heat the interior. Let the desiccant do what it does. It doesn't take long. BTW...If you have a gun cabinet or safe, place a can of desiccant in it somewhere and you'll never have condensation or rust on/in your guns. And, never throw that stuff away. It will last nearly forever if dried properly when it needs it.

Look on the bright side. At least it isn't lake water that soaked your truck.

[Mark Rinker]

Two hours later - floor matts dry, dash panels, all plastic surfaces dry. Seat backs feel better, seat cushions still wet to the touch.

Heading up to vaccum seat cushions - taking towels to sit on...

[Jake99Z71]

Use a Wet/Dry shop vac on them. Might even want to throw a dehumidifier in the cab.

[beeler]

Both doors open and a large fan blowing air through. Works best outside if it's warm and sunny. Keep air flow going even after all seems dry.

[Mark Rinker]

After vaccuuming as much as I could out of the seats, I closed the truck back up, and idled it with the heater on MAX, A/C on, and recirculate setting.

Three hours later (five total) the cab, seats and floor were bone dry. I was amazed how quickly the A/C took the moisture out of the cab!

[mark45678]

After vaccuuming as much as I could out of the seats, I closed the truck back up, and idled it with the heater on MAX, A/C on, and recirculate setting.

Three hours later (five total) the cab, seats and floor were bone dry. I was amazed how quickly the A/C took the moisture out of the cab!

exactly..... good ideal ! as stated before you may want to find a 110v dehumidifer and leave that running all night with it closed up . the floor pad under the rubber is worth checking , I would lift a door sill and see if it was wet ! maybe put you hand under the seat and push up to see if the bottom is dry. Seams a bit on the extream side but I know my 06 work truck could use a good cleaning like this ! Not sure the leather will take to all that water , may need to think about this more !

[EdHale]

I suggest a 110v dehumidifier. I have one I keep in my garage to keep my boat dry. It works well and I have a hose attached to it so it drains outside continuously. It works well. Ed