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Post by fiesta65 on Oct 8, 2019 21:57:26 GMT 10
Hi all, Purchased a 1965 Mildura Fiesta van two years ago. She is amazing in so many ways... but smells real bad! So the story goes. She has not been used a lot. I believe locked up in a shed for the last 20 - 50 years. Really tidy original condition. She smells musty/soap flakes/chemical glue/old van combined. When I first cleaned her out there were a couple of bags of soap flakes in the storage under the bed. I thought this was it... but now I'm not so sure. It appears that the smell has permeated into absolutely everything. We have had her for more than two years now. We had always figured a good air out and a few cook ups would do the trick. Its so bad that it actually permeates your clothes and hair after only spending an hour or so inside.
We have cleaned her thoroughly. Aired out for about 2 years... Even painted the inside of all the storage areas that previously had raw ply and Masonite.
We removed all the curtains and mattresses. Had to wash the curtains 3 times and hang on the line for a week before the smell disappeared! Replaced mattresses.
I removed the floor tiles yesterday as some were damaged and peeling. It appears the glue used may be part of the smell... but I'm not sure.
We are about to repaint in enamel all interior surfaces in a bid to lock the smell into the paint... Its so bad you can smell it from 20m away!
My questions are - Has anyone experienced similar? - Is it possible to get rid of it?
- Could it be the glues in the ply used in the walls, floor and fit out?
- Is it potentially harmfull? (I've got two kids and a wife!)
- Am I overlooking something obvious?
It's definitely nothing to do with moisture.
She is in such great condition I really am hoping we can sort it out.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Cheers
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Post by aussieute on Oct 9, 2019 8:30:39 GMT 10
Hi when I was a lot younger used to work in supermarkets left bicarb soda in milk fridge to absorb smell of sour milk from when cartons split also used lemon esents to make smell better worth a try cheers chris
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 9, 2019 10:51:53 GMT 10
If you can really smell it from 20 metres away, then it sounds like there is a serious problem. So far, what you've done is what most people would also have done. Have you tried white vinegar? Have you cleaned the seat cushions? I know that you're saying that the van is in good condition. But don't discount the possibility that the smell is actually coming from behind the walls (sorry to say that!) It is always possible that at some point there was water entry and that you're smelling the hidden timbers. Wouldn't be the first time for that to happen. Sometime desperation calls for desperate measures. Maybe you need to do some exploratory drilling in bottom corners into the framing to see how easily the drill bit goes in. Have you tested for sponginess in the wall frame corners? What about water marks in the floor ply from underneath the van? It doesn't take much for water to get in behind window seals or J moulding and seep into wall cavities, no matter how good it all looks from the outside. One would expect that any glue smells would be long gone by now. There will generally always be a sort of "old timber" smell about these vans, but not in an off-putting way. I recovered a van many years ago from a farm, and it was filled with rat poo smell. Another member now has that van and I wonder if that poo smell is still there. Good luck won't help you, but the thought is there anyway.  |
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Post by fiesta65 on Oct 9, 2019 12:58:06 GMT 10
Thanks Chris. Yes Have put bi carb in tubs and sat for months... no difference.
Hi Roehm3108. Thanks. Havn't tried Vinegar yet. You have reminded me I was suggested to simmer vinegar on the stove for a couple of hours. It's more of a combined soap flake chemical smell than musty. I'm confident that it's not a rot or wet/mold smell.
Yes have removed all seat cushions etc. Thanks for your advice and thoughts...
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Post by grandad on Oct 10, 2019 9:25:04 GMT 10
My thinking was along the same lines as Ray (Roehm3108). You've tried all the usual methods of eliminating smells and treated and or washed every visible surface, hard or soft.
To me, that leaves only the possibility of something we cannot see or touch. Inside the walls.
In there, I can only think of two possible sources of smells.
Something living in there has died...….. If that were the case, the smell wouldn't have lasted this long.
Or,
Wood rot. But for this to be the case, it would have to be ongoing rot. In which case, it should be making itself obvious by now. Or at least, I would have thought so.
This would be the most perplexing VV problem I have heard of so far.
But surely with all of the combined experiences available on this forum we can come up with some logical places for you to look.
May the brain storming continue
Jim
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Post by shesgotthelook on Oct 10, 2019 9:35:50 GMT 10
My first GlobeTrotter you could definitely smell the glue in the timber panels. I left the cushions out in the sun & cleaned everything but it was always there. It wan't offensive though & it didn't permeate clothes etc. Have you sought a second opinion from somebody else's nose? I agree that it's not water damage, that musty smell is awful.
SGTL
PS, this is my 2,500th post. Shouldn't there be some sort of recognition, award, celebration? DonRicardo?
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Post by Mustang on Oct 10, 2019 12:41:29 GMT 10
SGTL PS, this is my 2,500th post. Shouldn't there be some sort of recognition, award, celebration? DonRicardo? WELL DONE AWARD !!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by cobber on Oct 10, 2019 13:35:08 GMT 10
G'day fiesta65,
Many of the early Don caravans have a distinctive aroma about them that is not objectionable, Don owners actually find it attractive and we tend to think it emanates from the glues used during construction.
I can remember being the victim of some young associates who thought it funny to place prawn heads inside the hub caps of a new car I bought.... it didn't take the service people very long to find the source of the stink I complained about, have you checked inside your vans hubcaps ? 😉😆
Cobber.
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Post by fiesta65 on Oct 10, 2019 14:00:53 GMT 10
Ha ha! Definitely not a seafood smell. My current feeling is it's a chemical/glue smell mixed with the 'wood' smell. Best description I've had is from my mother inlaw who said it smells like an old peoples home... We have set the van up and had guests stay in it a few times. Everyone has commented. The funny thing is when the guests come in to the house in the morning for a coffee you can actually smell the van on them. We had to borrow the toaster out of the van a few months ago and even it smelt like like van! Not just a whiff but actually quite strong. Yes a plastic and metal toaster! I have just painted the inside of a cupboard with enamel to check if it adheres ok to the current paint so for now the van is overpowered by enamel. I will update next week as school holidays are slowing the project up at the moment. If anyone has any other ideas keep them coming!  |
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Post by Mustang on Oct 11, 2019 7:24:34 GMT 10
Ha ha! Definitely not a seafood smell. My current feeling is it's a chemical/glue smell mixed with the 'wood' smell. Best description I've had is from my mother inlaw who said it smells like an old peoples home... We have set the van up and had guests stay in it a few times. Everyone has commented. The funny thing is when the guests come in to the house in the morning for a coffee you can actually smell the van on them. We had to borrow the toaster out of the van a few months ago and even it smelt like like van! Not just a whiff but actually quite strong. Yes a plastic and metal toaster! I have just painted the inside of a cupboard with enamel to check if it adheres ok to the current paint so for now the van is overpowered by enamel. I will update next week as school holidays are slowing the project up at the moment. If anyone has any other ideas keep them coming! I would remove everything physically loose from the van, separate the bedding ,cushions etc, Then use a chemical "Bomb" to kill off anything/things living, then open up & at least you will isolate that cause. Otherwise as others have suggested the odour sounds like dampness? Brent |
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Post by fiesta65 on Oct 11, 2019 9:28:02 GMT 10
Thanks Brent. It's not a rotting animal or wood smell. More of a chemical / soap / old smell. We have removed everything that comes out washed and washed again. Even turfed the mattresses and cushions. Plan to give it a full internal paint (Two coats) with oil based enamel next week... just mainly curious to know if it was a common smell theme in these old vans. As the internal paint is pretty much in perfect condition. My feeling is this one is extra smelly for some reason. What ever has caused the smell is impregnated into everything. $100 worth of paint and a couple of days has to be worth the effort.
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 11, 2019 20:44:35 GMT 10
G'day fiesta65,
Perhaps you could explore "casein glue" which was commonly used in the furniture industry in the old days. Casein glue is waterproof (which would make it good for vans), but is attacked by mould if allowed to get wet, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Casein glue is also known by the slang term "cheese glue", with the unpleasant smell being categorised as stale milk, or stinky cheese.
Cheers,
Al.
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Post by fiesta65 on Oct 11, 2019 21:10:24 GMT 10
Thanks Al,
that is really interesting. I'll look into it for sure. I was describing the smell to a friend this afternoon and he said 'what like moth balls?' It is pretty much the best description I can give. It's not quite that camphor smell but along the lines of Lux soap or moth balls without the camphor. It's not rotting or mold or dead smelling. Just a strong 'old home smell' that has permeated everything!
I will get there.
Cheers,
Joti
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 12, 2019 6:58:38 GMT 10
There is also some interesting info on the Popular Science website for "How to remove odors, instead of just hiding them behind nicer smells". It seems that your option of painting is certainly one worth considering. www.popsci.com/remove-any-odor/Cheers, Al. |
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 12, 2019 7:36:25 GMT 10
Hi. Some possible solutions from a retired automotive detailer.... (1) No-Vac is a aerosol spray.(2) Bosistos Eucalyptus aerosol spray. (3) Any Vanilla fragranced Fridge spray.(4) Cuddly brand Fabric Conditioner - the type that comes in a plastic pillow (about size of sausage roll) & whatever fragrance you like.Do NOT pierce/open...just hide one or more under bed/s,bottom of wardrobes,behind fridge.I keep one of these on the toilet window sill at home.After 6/9 months it gets used in washing machine & i put out another on sill. Can be used in car boot or under car seats to keep car smelling fresh also. The No-Vac is great for keeping your car air-conditioner smelling fresh too. Switch on aircon to LOW & turn dash vents to 'fresh air position'.Close all doors/windows.Spray liberal amount of No-Vac where your fresh air vents are under your windscreen outside.It will froth up but dissipate.Run it for about a minute.Just make sure the next time you switch the air-con on the dash vents aren`t facing you directly first off just in case froth has liquified & it sprays your face. cheers
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Post by tomqvaxy on Oct 16, 2019 18:44:43 GMT 10
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leeron
Junior Member
1966 Viscount Duralvan 14' 6
Posts: 69 
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Post by leeron on Oct 20, 2019 17:44:18 GMT 10
Have you tried a product called nilodour yet?
Get a half dozen plastic bottle caps and place a drop (yes one drop) of nilodour in each cap and place them in different locations inside the van.
Do not put it directly on any surfaces.
I did this with my van when I first got it as it had been closed up with mothballs and the like for many decades and smelt like an airtight grandmas house.
Worked ok with my van, but still have a slight smell inside if closed up for long periods.
It's worth a try.
Leon.
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leeron
Junior Member
1966 Viscount Duralvan 14' 6
Posts: 69
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Post by leeron on Oct 20, 2019 17:48:27 GMT 10
Misprint!
The product is spelt Nilodor and is available at some woolworths stores if you look around.
Is very strong though and needs airing afterwards..
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Post by fiesta65 on Nov 6, 2019 21:23:50 GMT 10
Update - So we have spent the last couple of weeks on and off painting. We used oil based and gave everything two coats. Every possible surface we could reach. Under sides of shelves, undersides of all storage areas, backs and insides of all overheads etc etc. Removed the flooring, cleaned and sealed then laid some new stick on lino style tiles. And I'm really happy to say I think we have managed to beat the smell. Haven't locked it up to sit yet. I guess that will be the real test. My wife and I are satisfied we have succeeded! To be honest we were lucky as it was in such good condition the prep work was minimal. Thanks everyone who offered ideas. The bonus is the van is looking almost new now! Happy days.
Cheers,
Joti
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BlueBird
Full Member
Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Nov 7, 2019 13:37:58 GMT 10
Hi Joti, I have never owned a timber van, but do notice that they have a particular smell about them. We do "show" our van and receive many comments from people about how nice it smells and how they've been in lots of smelly vans. I always have the hanging smelly car things in my van. I like the ones from Kmart - for me, the pretty pink ones of course Hopefully its all behind you now and your family can get into enjoying your van |
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