Okay, I just got my RX-7 back after ten loooong years! I'm elated! Now for the dread...It is not at all like I left it. It now has some rust spots - inside and out. The engine is blown, but I'm not too worried about that, very fixable. It was in good shape up until the engine blew. It sat for about 5 years and of course no one paid attention to the drains around the sunroof and the rear hatch. Water of course made it inside. Now the entire interior smells of mildew. The rear area around the spare tire has rust and the factory carpet is toast. I just cleaned the car up a bit for now till I decide what to do. I don't have the money for a complete restoration, but want to make this my daily driver again. Any ideas on cleaning mildewed seats, carpets, etc?

 

Take the interior seats and carpet out, and pressure wash them. Shop Vac them and then let them sit in the sun a day or so. She'll be good as new.

 

...and find the nearest hard object, make a shank, and stab whoever did this to your -SE

 

after that wash i think she looks damn fine! nice SE!

 

Dang!! That things looks awesome after the wash!!! Your story is inspiring....I'm still looking for my '79, last seen April 20, 1997

 

What about a little bleach or some product to kill the mildew?

 

Long story, but they are also the reason I got it back! My cousin and Uncle had it. My fault as I shouldn't have ever sold it

 

Bleach will destroy the color. You better off using a proper carpet and upholstry cleaner to get the mildew out. Good luck with the cleanup. Hopefully the rust isnt too extensive.

 

Carpet shampoo in the aerosol can has always worked well for me.

 

If you still have the VIN number somewhere, you ought to be able to find out when it was last titled/registered. You might be able to do it at the DMV online. Good luck and don't give up! Get a parts car now! Who knows, maybe only the basic framework is left.

 

have a look at this:
This mold-covered Audi is why you don't ignore water damage

 

Remove the carpet and powerwasher them. A little soap and water and your good. Do the seats the same way and let dry in the sun.