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How to Remove Tree Mold from Car Paint

Cars are the best. They transport you wherever you need to go. However, it is important to look out for your car, cleaning wise that is. For those who just found tree mold developed on their exterior of the car, no need to fret. Mold is very easy to remove. Listen to these helpful tips and strategies on how to remove tree mold from a car. 

Is Mold in the Car Bad?

Mold is a health issue. Take care of it immediately. If you don’t take care of that mold right now then you may end up with permanent damages to your health. Aside from health problems, mold does not smell right. 

Health Issues Caused by Mold

Health problems vary among people, but symptoms to mold may include: 

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Cold-Like Symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, skin rash
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Chronic Fatigue

Where Does Mold Grow on Cars

Anywhere. The dashboard, seats, carpeting, inside the trunk, and on the ceiling.

How Does it Form?

Every car owner needs to know about the science behind mold so they can take care of their car better. Mold grows in a variety of ways, whether in big or small amounts. The mold may even escape your eyes.

Mold Starts Growing Because of:

  • Spilled Water
  • Open windows from rain
  • Forgotten pieces of food
  • Wet clothes

Should I Get Someone to Remove the Mold?

Not unless you want to spend money. Removing mold on your own is fairly easy. It costs between $70-$110 to have the mold removed by a professional. 

Ways to Kill Mold

  • White Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Oil of Cloves

Supplies that You Will Need

  • Cleaning Rag
  • Wood Buffing Pad
  • Olive Oil
  • Toothbrush
  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Gloves (Always wear gloves when removing mold)
  • Mask (It’s bad to breathe in mold fumes)

How to Prepare the Car for Removing Mold

Before you remove the mold from your car, place it in an area that is not exposed to sunlight. It’s better to keep your car outside than inside the garage where the mold transpires. Open up all the doors and windows to air everything out for at least fifteen minutes. 

Cleaning mold is a health hazard which is why you should have items like gloves, a mask, and safety goggles. Make sure that anyone who is helping you does the same. Put on equipment to protect you.

Once you are all suited up, check every seat in the car. Aside from the seats, take a look at the carpets, the ceiling, and the seatbelts. Mold grows everywhere. You should have already cleaned out the car prior to any leftover food, articles of clothing, or toys and books. 

Where Should I Start First?

Start by removing the large mold clusters first. Remember that toothbrush we mentioned in that list of supplies? Taking that toothbrush, use it to break up the larger mold clusters in gentle strokes. Using a toothbrush is the best cleaning tool because then you can reach between the cracks you normally miss. 

Once that is finished, grab the vacuum cleaner and get out all those loose spores in the carpeting. As you guessed in the beginning, this is not going to be an easy job. You have to use force in order to be successful. 

Steps on How to Clean Tree Mold From Car Paint

Step 1

Find a soft rag and add a few drops of olive oil. Olive oil is the best cleaning device to get rid of any messes. It is safe to use on the interior of a car. 

Step 2

Carefully rub the area of the car that is moldy with a damp rag. Using a damp rag is better than using something else. Any cleaning device with an abrasive side ruins the paint job of the car. Use a wool buffing pad to prevent damage to the paint.

Step 3

Scrub the mold good with a wool buffing pad. Instead of wiping the car down in thick lines, rub ion circular motions. Use all your strength to get rid of the mold. You want to be able to remove as much of the mold as possible. 

Step 4

Wet a rag with the mineral spirits and then rub down the area where the mold was with the rag. After that, let the mineral spirits sit for 10 seconds. The objective of the mineral spirits to kill any residue mill that did not scrape off with the wool buffing pad. 

Step 5

After you let the mineral spirits sit, wipe the area down with a dry towel. Don’t just use one rag. Use another rag to wipe down the area with white vinegar. If you don’t want tree mold building up again in the future, vinegar will do just that.

How White Vinegar Gets Rid of Mold

White vinegar is an acid. It kills mold. The white vinegar works on any leathering in the car. It may leave a fragrance afterward, but it is better than having a mold smell in the car. 

All you have to do is spray the vinegar solution onto the mark from top to bottom. Let it soak in for about fifteen minutes and then use a vacuum cleaner to dry out the spot. 

Getting Rid of Mold With Salt

Believe it or not, salt is a great way to get rid of mold in the car. 

Step 1

Mix the salt in a bucket of water.

Step 2

Spray the mixture of salt onto the moly spot. Don’t cover the area where the mold spot was. Instead, spray it two feet away from the mold. 

Step 3

Then leave it to dry in the sun for a couple of minutes. 

Step 4

Because you have left it out in the sun, salt crusts form. After a couple of minutes, vacuum the area.

The Oil of Cloves Trick

This mold-ridding trick proves to be a great form of cleaning to those who have decided to do this on their own. Oil of Cloves is an antiseptic that kills mold. 

Supplies you need:

  • A quarter of oil cloves
  • One liter of Water
  • Clean spray bottle
  • Cloth
  • Old Toothbrush
  • Baking soda/white vinegar
  • Option 1

There are a couple of options in which you can get rid of the mold either making a paste following cleaning it with a toothbrush. 

  • Option 2

Mix together white vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle. Spray the area, and then after 20 minutes wipe the dead mold away. Don’t forget to throw the cloth away.

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