So.

My '86 Z28 smells like..wet and whatever else has occupied it in the last 24+ years. The T-tops drip when it rains and the interior is all beat up. She always had a old car scent, but w/ warmer weather approaching it's getting problematic. Only had her since late '08 and she is my daily driver (MI winters and all). Interior screams help that my college student paycheck wont allow for now. Any home remedies to freshen her up without breaking the bank?

 

(1) Rent a carpet steam cleaner with upholstry attachments, get carpet // upholstry cleaner-disinfectant, go at it for a while.

OR

(2) Get something like Woolite Rug & Upholstery Cleaner{spelling?}, a soft to medium soft scrub brush, scrub away. Or follow the directions. You can use a vacuum cleaner, shop vac, or the vacuums at the car wash to clean up the Woolite.

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the dash & plastics in the car.

Go to WalMart, AutoZone, or some place like that & get some kind of Ozone air freshener or one that removes pet odors, smoke odors, etc...

IDK if there is a moister absorber to put in a car, but if you find one, get it--it will help keep the "damp musties" away.

 

Thanks. Im on it.

 

Had the same problem with my car. (old car smell)
I just cleaned the dust out of the vents.
And put a couple cardboard tree air fresheners and its all gone.
Good luck!

 

You need to fix the source of the problem before you fix the smell issue. replace your t-top seals, then replace the interior.

 

Remove the carpet and replace or dry the insulation. The insulation pads in my Trans Am were completely wet when I took the carpet off, so that was the main cause of bad smells.
The seat covers would benefit a good cleaning as well, cut the hog rings and put the covers in the washing machine. It will remove the smells and even bring back the original colors.
The old plastic panels might be a source of bad smells if they are dry rotted.
The ducts can be cleaned too, there are often greasy dust remains in it, especially if a previous owner smoked in the car.

Basically, check everything that can hold moisture, or that would rot with time.