The Ford Barn

some mech 3 · 07-14-2010, 01:36 PM

I restored the interior upholstery of my 1931 coupe a year ago. Mice got into the car and settled above the headliner, Naturally, they urinated, which seeped through the headliner and in addition is very stinky. The headliner is cotton. Anyone have any suggestions for removing the stains? Is there a product on the market that will remove them, or do I have to replace the headliner? Also, is there anyway to prevent mice from getting into the A? I've trapped them, put both moth balls and mint bags into the coupe, and still they get in. Thank you.
Sam
[email protected]

Bruce · 07-14-2010, 02:18 PM

Fabrese helps some with the smell, but you may have to rip it out and start again. If you just completed the resto, then you know that that will involve ripping the top off to get to the batting over the roof bows.
As for prevention, I use dryer fabric softener sheets PLUS mothballs. Our Chrysler convertible still smells like a chemical plant and it is mid July! But the smell left by a mouse attack is much worse.
Sorry to report bad news.

Mitch//pa · 07-14-2010, 02:21 PM

if it were mine i would replace the headliner especially since it was a newly replaced interior. buy an enclosed car capsule from california car cover or other supplier like that. if i had to smell up a car with mothballs thats just as bad in my view as mouse crap and piss

Steve Wastler · 07-14-2010, 04:09 PM

Being a multiple cat household we have had our share of 'accidents,' Simple solutions makes a Cat spray & Urine stain and odor remover in a spray bottle, sold at pet stores. Don't know if it will work for your issue, but I would try just about anything before tearing out the headliner. I too use the drier sheets and they seem to work quite well. I also use the ridx brand electronic pest repellers in the garage, my property is surrounded by cornfields, no mice issues as of yet.

'29wagon · 07-14-2010, 05:16 PM

vinegar .

skip · 07-14-2010, 09:51 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

"vinegar" . ?

Maybe. Like solvents dissolve like substances. ie, gasoline/grease.
So that's where that saying came from. "He's full of piss and vinegar".

For winter time storage she goes up on four jack stands. Each jack stand leg is placed on a scented BOUNCE Dryer Sheet. Under each axle goes another Bounce. Inside goes more Bounce. The car cover goes over the whole mess and nothing hangs down lower than the bottom of the running board 'cept of course the wheels which are about 9 inches above the cement floor. I think mice can jump this high but after years of storage like this no mice yet.

skip.

Tacoma Bob · 07-15-2010, 09:46 AM

Well a friend told me a story of her little Chinese pug getting sprayed by a skunk. Her cure was to bathe the dog in a tub using massengale douche. You have nothing to lose so I would suggest a hypodermic needle (small gauge) and have at it. Or maybe loosen up the headliner (over the doors) so you you can mist in there with a spray bottle. Try not to get everything too wet as you may be keft with a whitish ring. If that happens you could try a product I always recommend here and that's Turtle wax TOUGH STUFF. As a matter of fact I use Tuff Stuff on our carpet in the house when our aging cat can't make it to his box. Cleans well, no discoloration AND deodorizes. Let us know what works.

07-14-2010, 01:36 PM	#1
some mech 3 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 35	Removing stains from new headliner I restored the interior upholstery of my 1931 coupe a year ago. Mice got into the car and settled above the headliner, Naturally, they urinated, which seeped through the headliner and in addition is very stinky. The headliner is cotton. Anyone have any suggestions for removing the stains? Is there a product on the market that will remove them, or do I have to replace the headliner? Also, is there anyway to prevent mice from getting into the A? I've trapped them, put both moth balls and mint bags into the coupe, and still they get in. Thank you. Sam [email protected]

07-14-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: Removing stains from new headliner Fabrese helps some with the smell, but you may have to rip it out and start again. If you just completed the resto, then you know that that will involve ripping the top off to get to the batting over the roof bows. As for prevention, I use dryer fabric softener sheets PLUS mothballs. Our Chrysler convertible still smells like a chemical plant and it is mid July! But the smell left by a mouse attack is much worse. Sorry to report bad news.

07-14-2010, 02:21 PM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Removing stains from new headliner if it were mine i would replace the headliner especially since it was a newly replaced interior. buy an enclosed car capsule from california car cover or other supplier like that. if i had to smell up a car with mothballs thats just as bad in my view as mouse crap and piss

07-14-2010, 04:09 PM	#4
Steve Wastler Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,987	Re: Removing stains from new headliner Being a multiple cat household we have had our share of 'accidents,' Simple solutions makes a Cat spray & Urine stain and odor remover in a spray bottle, sold at pet stores. Don't know if it will work for your issue, but I would try just about anything before tearing out the headliner. I too use the drier sheets and they seem to work quite well. I also use the ridx brand electronic pest repellers in the garage, my property is surrounded by cornfields, no mice issues as of yet.

07-14-2010, 05:16 PM	#5
'29wagon Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. California Posts: 451	Re: Removing stains from new headliner vinegar .

07-14-2010, 09:51 PM	#6
skip Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 408	Re: Removing stains from new headliner Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) "vinegar" . ? Maybe. Like solvents dissolve like substances. ie, gasoline/grease. So that's where that saying came from. "He's full of piss and vinegar". For winter time storage she goes up on four jack stands. Each jack stand leg is placed on a scented BOUNCE Dryer Sheet. Under each axle goes another Bounce. Inside goes more Bounce. The car cover goes over the whole mess and nothing hangs down lower than the bottom of the running board 'cept of course the wheels which are about 9 inches above the cement floor. I think mice can jump this high but after years of storage like this no mice yet. skip. Last edited by skip; 07-14-2010 at 09:56 PM.

07-15-2010, 09:46 AM	#7
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Removing stains from new headliner Well a friend told me a story of her little Chinese pug getting sprayed by a skunk. Her cure was to bathe the dog in a tub using massengale douche. You have nothing to lose so I would suggest a hypodermic needle (small gauge) and have at it. Or maybe loosen up the headliner (over the doors) so you you can mist in there with a spray bottle. Try not to get everything too wet as you may be keft with a whitish ring. If that happens you could try a product I always recommend here and that's Turtle wax TOUGH STUFF. As a matter of fact I use Tuff Stuff on our carpet in the house when our aging cat can't make it to his box. Cleans well, no discoloration AND deodorizes. Let us know what works.