wet insulation

[NutmegCT]

How would you dry out sound insulation material after it got wet (heavy rain, window open ...). Carpet is removable, but not insulation between carpet and steel floor. It's like fiber carpet underlayment - not like foam or Dynamat.

The insulation is glued down!

Thanks.
Tom M.

 

[TR3driver]

Put an incandescent light inside the car and leave it on for a few days. The heat will help it dry out.

The alternative of course is to pull up the insulation and replace it without gluing it down.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Randall. Wouldn't the bulb heat just warm the entire area, without removing the moisture from the insulation?

(I agree - I think ripping it all out and replacing without glue is the path.)

 

[Gliderman8]

You also might try laying some towels down first for a couple of hours to wick the moisture into the towels. Then do as Randall suggests. The heat should help dry it.

 

[TR3driver]

Thanks Randall. Wouldn't the bulb heat just warm the entire area, without removing the moisture from the insulation?

Warming the air also serves to dehumidify it. Surely you've noticed how dry it is in the house in the winter with the heat on? (Unless you run a humidifier of course.) The same amount of water that would cause 100% relative humidity at 40F is only 25% or so at 80F. The warm, relatively dry air will greatly reduce the drying time.

 

[LarryK]

Open doors or windows and circulate the air with a small fan. Dried many cars this way. Heated garage and a fan.

 

[TomMull]

It will dry eventually but if prone to repeated soakings, the glued insulation is not a good idea, in my opinion. I'd get rid of it. It is usually glued with contact cement and comes out quite easily. It is a bit of work to get rid of the residue but worth it. You get to see what is underneath too. I don't know what you are working on but the fitted insulation is available for most LBCs. Alternatively, fit the carpets with no insulation. Tom

 

[NutmegCT]

" ... the glued insulation is not a good idea, in my opinion. I'd get rid of it. "

Agreed!

Thanks all. Onward through the fog! (and slush, and sleet, and ice, and ...)

 

[bgbassplyr]

You might try a wet/dry shop vac followed by the light bulb. Place a bit of screen wire over the end of the nozzle to prevent vacuuming up the insulation.

 

[Steve]

There are also products that absorb moisture in a car, rather like silica gel. Worked like a treat over a couple of weeks in my wife's Passat after she left the moonroof open and a heavy storm moved through.