Improving a challenger interior after
25 years of mice infestation
1. This was our first peek— and smell of the interior. Evident were
mice nests, mold on the dash, and a horrific mice waste smell that was bad
enough to make your eyes water. The period cut-into-dash AM/FM cassette,
underdash gauges and chronometer scream out late *70s/early ’80s. We knew night
there and then, we had our work cut out for us!
The period cut-into-dash AM/FM cassette, underdash gauges and
chronometer scream out late *70s/early ’80s.
2. After the interior was removed, the entire floor and trunk pan was
wiped clean with the Eastwood Pre Painting Prep (PN 10041Z) for proper surface
preparation. Here we brush on the Eastwood Rust Encapsulator (PN 16065ZP,
quart) rather than spray it on and risk overspray getting where you don’t want
it. The Rust Encapsulator will protect metal from further rust and can be
topcoated with most any paint.
Next up was Gator Guard (PN 10129Z),
essentially a pickup truck bedliner. This tough coating was also brushed rather
than sprayed on. Gator Guard creates a thicker barrier than paint, which will
help seal, strengthen and add sound deadening to the floor/trunk pan, doors,
quarters, and wheelhouses. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing,
mask, and gloves. Seen here is my brother, Jim. He handled coating everything
with the Rust Encapsulator and Gator Guard.
Seen
here is my brother, Jim. He handled coating everything with the Rust
Encapsulator and Gator Guard.
We couldn’t wait to get rid of the white
shag carpeting covering the package tray (aka the speaker shelf). The shag
carpet was also badly infected with the rodent-waste smell. The old 6x9
speakers still functioned well enough so we would reuse them. Tapping on the
package tray and its braces told us there was too much of that tinny, vibration
noise. We knew covering those parts with the Thenmo-Coustic Barrier (PN 12117)
would reduce the noisy vibrations and resonance that come from that area.
3. To combat road and exhaust noise, as well as heat, we used the
Thenmo-Coustic Barrier on the front side of the original rear seat/trunk
divider and installed the reproduction piece (YearOne PN LP5011) behind it for
aesthetics when looking into the trunk. To further reduce noise, the
Thermo-Coustic was applied to the wheelhouses, back side panels and floor/trunk
pan. The new package tray (YearOne PN PDX70BLK) fit perfect and it looks much
better than that white shag carpeting. We also covered the entire floor pan and
transmission tunnel to deaden road, driveline, and exhaust noise—a big problem
in any E-Body. The sound and insulating material will also reduce the heat
coming from the headers and exhaust to help the factory A/C keep the
Challenger’s interior cooler during those hot summer days and nights.
4. Back In 1983, the door and rear side panels were sprayed with a
bright white dye/paint. Now, the panels are filthy, and the old paint was
scratched and peeling. After removing the trim, cleaning and prepping with the
Eastwood Vinyl Prep (PN 52055Z) we applied the White Interior Dye (PN 11438Z).
We used Adhesion Promoter (PN 52366Z) for better adhesion and durability. The
white dye will last for years if prepped and applied properly. Four moderate
coats were applied to each panel. We needed to use four cans of the interior
dye for proper coverage of the four interior panels.
5. We used the quieting material on the outer skin, as well as the
inner door panel. Now the door slams with a solid thunk, and there will be less
road and wind noise. The Eastwood hand roller (PN 52050) helped us attach the
material, smooth and form it to the metal. Note: We needed three boxes of the
Thermo-Coustic Barrier for all the areas we covered.
6. We placed the carpet in the sun while we worked on the interior. We
removed the wrinkles in the carpet (by hand) that come from being packed in a
box. When pressed for time, judicious use of a heat gun can remove wrinkles and
help the carpet conform to the floorpan. Be very careful if you take this
route. The original console, swap-meet generic seat belts and temporary seat
bolts hold the carpet in place to ease seat Installation. We got the E-Body
four-speed loop-pile molded carpet from YearOne (PN 7074EBLK40) and a new
shifter boot (PN RF36SET).
The seats were smelly and stained with the
mouse mess. Many hours were spent cleaning the seats with Meguian’s Interior
Cleaner Spray and Wipes. The results were satisfying to the eyes but not the nose
yet, so we proceeded to wash the seats (underneath too) with Meguiar’s Gold
Class Car Wash and let them air dry in the sun to kill the bacteria and smell.
We also sprayed on Meguian’s Odor Eliminator as another precautionary measure.
The
results were satisfying to the eyes but not the nose yet, so we proceeded to
wash the seats (underneath too) with Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash and let them
air dry in the sun to kill the bacteria and smell.
