Barn find 47 Ford mouse smell?

c334charlie

c334charlie

Member
I have just landed a 47 Ford coupe older restoration that hadn't run in 15 years. We went through brakes, fuel, carbs, tires, etc. and buffed the paint. It runs and drives great, but the mouse smell is strong. Any products or tricks you folks have found to neutralize the smell would be appreciated.
 
Try 2 parts water-1 part vinniger with a teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle and spray around the area you think the odor is coming from. Of course, be careful not get the spray on any wires. Moth balls for a few days my do some good as well. Good luck. Steve
 
A couple of shallow dishes/pans with a strong bleach solution sitting for a few days works some too. Commercial deodorizers might be another option - check the local detailing shops.
 
Mice like to get up inside the headliner so sniff around there for sure...look for chew
holes in the headliner. You may as well decide to yank the seats and mats/carpets
and give everything the sniff test. Leave everything sit in the sun that will really
help you locate the most effected sources of the smell.
I talked to the people at Stanley Steemer rug cleaners (they also do water damage
restoration) and got some good stuff from them.
Congrats on scoring the '47, don't cut corners on the smell thing because if you
do every time that coupe sits in the sun the smell will be back and you'll kick yourself.
Charlie ny
 
I have a friend who had to trade in his truck after mice nested in his air conditioning ducts. There was nothing that would remove all the smell short of replacing the entire system. It was like Jerry Seinfeld's BMW after the valet stunk it up.

That said, there is a product sold in pet stores called "Natures Miracle" that is for removing pet odors by using enzymes instead of just masking it with perfumes. The stuff really works.

If all else fails, get some dryer sheets.
 
The old Ford interior upholstery had a lot of cotton padding as well as the wool & broad cloth coverings. Anywhere a little varmint can run they leave their deposits behind. Check under your seat cushions for nests and such. They will have to be removed if you can find them. There isn't a lot you can do if urine spots have soaked into cloth or padding that is too frail to be cleaned well. The floor and its coverings will have to be cleaned as well as possible, including under the seats and in the trunk area. Mice love the little nooks & crannies for nesting & hiding spots.
 
I like Mike's idea,that stuff works great on carpet.To make sure they don't return,because they are all attracted to that smell,I use a product called "Freash Cab"...I became aware of it when I got a free sample of it in a Car Show "Goodie Bag"..Smells great too...I feel like I'm doing an infomercial ,,but it works...
 
Brought a 68' Mustang back to life after a 30 sleep. Everything went well until it was time to deal with the smell of rodents nesting for years. My advise is to cut to the chase and gut the whole interior. There is too much nesting material in there to possibly clean it all up. Not to mention the bacteria! You know best what you want from the vehicle, but the faint funk of mouse pee probably is'nt part of it. The upside is that you will be totally happy with the end result once you are done. Good luck with your project.
 
Pet stores sell an enzyme odor neutralizer. Test a hidden spot, but I think you can spray it right on anything (new) without affecting color.

Maybe add some to a Little Green Machine or other upholstery wet vac and you might be OK.
 
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Not trying to scare, but anytime I expose myself knowingly to mouse droppings, I keep it in the back of my mind for the next week or two. If I ever get sick during that time, I'd be sure to tell the doctor. Awareness helps, but wearing a dust mask and gloves goes a long way too.
 
Had a Model A Sedan full of mice droppings and nesting. The mice had even burrowed into the seats. After cleaning everything out, shot it with Fabrezz and within a day you couldn't tell there was ever a rat or mouse in it, except the holes.
Your experience may differ?
 
I agree with Flat Ernie. Beware! When you find any nesting, it's best to spray it with water or a bleach solution before removing. The mouse urinates in it's own nesting, and when the nesting is dried out, the particles become airborne when disturbed. This is how people get seriously sick from inhalation of it.
 
Pay heed to the warning about being exposed to mice droppings. You can die from it if you breathe the stuff in. Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean it up. Wear gloves, and a dust mask in a well ventilated area. A ozone generator can be effective in getting rid of the smell.
 
all the above answers or very good, bacteria is the most important, we all agree on that, had very good luck with fabric softener bounce, in the sheets, like you would put in your dryer, also works great for winter storing, mice dont like the smell, better than moth balls
 
Mine was so bad after I got it out of storage, I had to replace the rear seat springs. The springs were totally trashed. Also check behind all of the panels. They like to hide in small dark places.
 
Another caution, I'm with the process of removing tainted materials. I do need to point out that modern science calls moth balls (benzene) kidney cancer on a stick. If you only need to odorize, a safer source is cedar shavings packed into something like old stockings. Natural safe and discourages moths as well. Have fun.
 
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