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Drying Mk1 Wet Seats and/or interior

2K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  safaristu 
#1 ·
A wet fabric seat, with no aircon the heater would have to be on for hours to dry it.
Newspapers are fairly effective, but way better to remove the wet seat and to dry it indoors. 2 minute job to take the seat out.
Carpet should dry quickly. Under the carpet, there is a layer of sound insulation. Mazda fit a water proof membrane backing to the carpet to prevent this from getting wet (sodden carpets is a traditional route for a convertible's floors to fall out from rot). On older cars, this might be cracked, resulting in a sodden mass; though this is more often the case on the driver's side. A quick check if the insulation is damp might be a good idea. If so, its usually sufficient to lift the carpets to allow the insulation to dry. If it's really sodden though, ripping it out and dumping it may be the best option.

Also using a couple of old towels. Place them over the seat and sit on them, this really soaks up the water and you can quickly tell when the towels are saturated.
Repeat with another couple of towels, or tumble dry the first pair.
Aircon, if fitted, is a good way of drying it out. Hood up with aircon on will act as a dehumidifier.
If no aircon, use the heater on demist setting and windows slightly open to let damp air escape as you drive around. The heat from the transmission tunnel/exhaust helps dry it from the bottom up too.

Other ideas: A 10 point plan (archived: thanks to Dave K from the NEM)

1. Nip outside with my socket set
2. Take the seat out
3. Bring it into the house
4. Place it near a radiator
5. Turn your central heating up
6. Turn on TV
7. Visit fridge for beer
8. Regain conciousness sometime afterwards
9. Put kettle on & make strong coffee
10. Re-assemble in reverse order!!
 
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#2 ·
When it is mainly dry you are also supposed to be able to get some absorbant crystals you can leave in your car overnight to dry up any annoying last bits of moisture. I understand that baking powder or rice in a container could help here too... it is supposed to absorb the moisture from the air. I haven't tried it though (thank goodness no need yet!), wonder if anyone has?
 
#7 ·
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