Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

[Robert M.]

While I was successful ridding a mice clan from the inside the passenger door of my 1987 C4 coupe, now there is residual nastiness down at the bottom of the inside making a bad bad odor. I removed the panel (again - see picture). My question - how can I effectively clean it up since I can't get at the inside completely - or,,,, is it possible for a semi-skilled guy to remove more of the door so I can have complete access to clean it out? When the car is washed, dark water (probably water flushing out the residue) drips from the lower left inside below the speaker grill - so I have some smelly junk there to clean out but I can't get to it.
I was hesitant to start bolt removing. Any suggestions or encouragement??? Thanks. Anyone successful in removing mice urine/body parts odor? THANKS!
Bob M

[Keith B.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

I would go to a larger used car dealer or detail shop and ask them what they use to remove odors

[Ed N.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

Try Irish Spring soap.

[Jim T.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

Have not had a rodent problem Robert, but I have removed the plastic speaker/amp box from my 1985 more than once and the big aluminum piece in your picture of your door has to be unbolted to do it. I did not remove the aluminum piece, only unbolted it to move it in order to get the big Bose speaker/amp box out of the car. Check out your solenoid for the power door lock, don't remember if I disconnected the linkage to it, but probably did. Unbolting the aluminum and moving back away should give you the access you want to do a superb cleanup. You could find out through the internet methods to remove rodent orders. When the material making the odors is removed and the inside is scrubbed with what ever is recommended can just let the door air out without the door panel installed.

[Robert M.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

thanks very much for the response - by the way - do you know what is that white sticky gunk that holds the speaker/amp up against the inside of the panel? looks like I probably need some

[Jim T.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

I do not know what the white sticky stuff is. Have not replaced mine on the 1985 and had the speaker box out a couple of times. Enough of stuff for the speaker box to reseal to the door to keep water out.

[Edward B.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

It seems as if everyone is focused on removing parts while the easiest solution may rest with continued washing. If the OP is still getting a colored discharge from the door it is obvious that urine, feces, etc., is still present. Continue the washing with the addition of a cleansing agent such as Simple Green until the discharge is clear water, then let it dry completely and check for odor. You may save yourself a lot of needless work.

[Bill H.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

thanks very much for the response - by the way - do you know what is that white sticky gunk that holds the speaker/amp up against the inside of the panel? looks like I probably need some

It's probably "dum-dum" , strip caulk which GM has used inside doors for a long time. The autoparts stores usually carry the 3M caulk which is black. I had the mouse thing in my 67 when I started the restoration last year. I use 1 part bleach - 3 parts water mix in a spray bottle. It takes the smell away but takes about 2 days for the bleach smell to go away (kills germs too). Obviously, don't get it near your carpet, etc. If the crap in the bottom of the door is loose and dry, you may have some luck using a smaller hose like a piece of heater hose duct taped to the end of your shop vac hose (I've done this before to get into some tight places).

[Robert M.]

Re: Eliminate rodent odor INSIDE C4 door panel

Thanks everyone for the very helpful suggestions. The bleach solution did the trick but only after first getting to the root of the issue which was removing entirely all the body parts inside that door - I was able to access enough just by loosening up the interior aluminum panel and removing the speaker / amp and holding it aside. Took a few hours but was worth the effort. I had to get that junk out of there - I used some very long tweezers and a hose. Man - that's the LAST time I let the car sit for a while, the mice set up a virtual town hall meeting inside the door panel and wouldn't leave. The good news is the door shuts tighter and doesn't rattle after tightening stuff up a bit!