When it’s just not your day! Mishap with Cuprinol Autumn Gold spilling in the boot of my car!

bjorn_toby_wilde

chris_n said:

Don't just leave the doors open, force some air through it with a fan, the bigger the better. Use a dehumidifier of some sort even if it's just one of those cheap moisture removers. Something like https://www.screwfix.com/p/unibond-aero-360-moisture-absorber-0-924ltr/791xr then when you think everything is dry leave something like  https://www.screwfix.com/p/summit-sum-900-reusable-350g-dehumidifier-bag/110ye until you are completely sure it is fully dry.
When you do start using the car having the air con on cold and recirculating will help too.

Are you sure about the recirculating for this?

It’s a setting I rarely use so your post inspired me to search for it. Turns out it’s really useful for getting the cabin colder faster in hot weather.

But I found the following quote:

Disadvantages of the air-recirculation button

The main downside of the air-recirculation button is that it traps humidity inside the car, which results in misted windscreens, especially when the air is cold outside and in wet weather.

• It can cause your windscreen to mist up
• It can trap humidity in the cabin

So maybe it’s not the best for this situation?

Section62

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

chris_n said:

Don't just leave the doors open, force some air through it with a fan, the bigger the better. Use a dehumidifier of some sort even if it's just one of those cheap moisture removers. Something like https://www.screwfix.com/p/unibond-aero-360-moisture-absorber-0-924ltr/791xr then when you think everything is dry leave something like  https://www.screwfix.com/p/summit-sum-900-reusable-350g-dehumidifier-bag/110ye until you are completely sure it is fully dry.
When you do start using the car having the air con on cold and recirculating will help too.

Are you sure about the recirculating for this?

It’s a setting I rarely use so your post inspired me to search for it. Turns out it’s really useful for getting the cabin colder faster in hot weather.

But I found the following quote:

Disadvantages of the air-recirculation button

The main downside of the air-recirculation button is that it traps humidity inside the car, which results in misted windscreens, especially when the air is cold outside and in wet weather.

• It can cause your windscreen to mist up
• It can trap humidity in the cabin

So maybe it’s not the best for this situation?

Depends on the specifics of the model.

But if the recirculation is off then the aircon will draw in air from outside, dehumidify that, then discharge it into the cabin.  That dehumidified air might pick up some of the moisture inside the cabin before being vented out.  So there would be some drying effect.

If recirculation is on, the humid air in the cabin gets drawn into the aircon, dehumidified, and then returned to the cabin.  The dehumidifying effect of the aircon is 100% utilised in removing moisture from inside the cabin.

The "trap humidity in the cabin" disadvantage you've quoted is true if the aircon isn't turned on.  Whereas with the aircon on you also get a dehumidifying effect as well.

Mind you, running the engine and aircon is not an especially efficient way of drying out the interior of a car... unless you are driving somewhere as well.  In effect it would be a petrol/diesel powered quasi-dehumidifier.

It would have made more sense to buy/hire a dehumidifier on day 1.... there's a reason why one of the first things you do if your house gets flooded is to get the dehumidifiers running.  A car with the doors shut and vents closed is very nearly a sealed box... perfect conditions to run a dehumidifier in.  And would have avoided much of the need to remove carpets and trim.

WIAWSNB

We are having a heatwave.
Leave the car air con off - unless you are actually driving the car and you want it on for your comfort.
Don't buy a portable dehumidifier and stick it in the car - that's an utter waste of money.
Try and resist pulling trim panels off, unless you are 100% confident how they do so, and you can replace them. Even then it's almost certainly a waste of time.
Do leave the doors wide open, and the car in the sun, and ideally where there's a breeze - even a gentle draught is ok. Even zero wind is ok. (If your interior lights stay on, then just shut the doors and open the windows.)
This is all you need to do.
You can also try shutting the windows and doors fully whilst the car is in the sun, and let the interior temp hit 40o+ for an hour. That will get extra moisture into the air. Then open the doors fully for a half hour to dispel. If you do this, and find fogging on the windows during the 'closed' spell, that'll indicate there's still excess moisture in your car - possibly an interesting test to try now and then.
But, in essence, just leave the bludy doors open in the heat - jobbie jobbed.

sujsuj

Thanks to the heatwave, most of the water issues have been resolved. The water has been completely removed, and I’ve managed to put back most of the panels I had removed. However, I’m struggling with reinstalling the back seat. I’ve watched videos on how to remove it (which was easy), but putting it back in seems a bit tricky. 

Do you have any tips to make it easier? Thanks!

WIAWSNB

sujsuj said:

I’ve watched videos on how to remove it (which was easy), but putting it back in seems a bit tricky.

Link us to that video, and we'll almost certainly be able tell you how to put it back.
I presume the back end engages first, and then the front is lowered down?
Are there any bolts? If so, have you removed them first to allow this?
Are you ensuring the belt and isofix clips are coming through?
Have you rearranged anything under the seat during your cleaning that might be getting in the way?

sujsuj

I've managed to sort everything out, and the car seems to be back to normal. I even took a long trip today after reinstalling all the panels — no water gushing sounds, nothing overheating or burning, everything seems to be fine. All the input I received, along with the good weather, really did the trick.

I'm even tempted to say we can conclude this discussion . Thanks, everyone!

WIAWSNB

But...but...but... it's only 5 pages :-(

Well done - it was actually funny for much of the time. Jet-washing the interior... 

sujsuj

When you panic, you tend to do foolish things.

Section62

sujsuj said:

When you panic, you tend to do foolish things.

Try not to panic the next time.

On the positive side, at least you remembered from your mower problems not to turn the car on its side to let the water drain out.

sujsuj

I didn’t mention this before… I bought a car jack and lifted one side of the car to get access to the underside. While leaning to the side during the process, I noticed some water coming out from one of the underside trays—not a lot, and it only drained because the car was tilted. So yes, I did that to my car as well, and it was very useful—unlike with the mower.