Not-so-wet wood

[viverra]

I was given a carload of wood over the holidays - it had been raining, but the wood was reasonably dry. So I packed it in the car, and left it there for a few days. There was condensation on the inside of the car windows when I came back. So I toweled down the windows, finished packing the car, and drove about five hours to get home.

It was late when I arrived. I took my stuff in, left the wood in the car, and went to bed.

This morning I discovered the windows were covered with a very thick layer of frost -- inside. So much frost that the scraper only took off a thin layer. Besides, scrapers are not designed to work on a concave surface.



The soft surfaces -- the roof, sunshades, etc -- had frost flowers growing. (look closely)



The wood's drying pretty well, though. Maybe that's why so many people leave an abandoned car in the back yard here -- it makes a good drying kiln.... Eureka!

Comments

[cdozo.livejournal.com]

You need to dry out the car or it will get moldy inside (sad experience speaking).

I recommend parking in the sun with the windows slightly open and/or Damp Rid (http://heating-and-cooling.hardwarestore.com/95-563-de-humidifiers/damp-rid-refillable-moisture-absorber-105684.aspx).

[cdozo.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I'm glad you and the wood got home safely.

[viverra2.livejournal.com]

And I'm glad you're home safely too! You had a much longer trip!

[viverra2.livejournal.com]

I did my errands with both heat and A/C on, to dehumidify the air. (That's how you handle fogged windows). There wasn't much liquid water as the car warmed; the frost mostly sublimated and went directly into the air. At the bank, I parked in the sun and opened the window a bit.

Relative humidity is my friend. The outside air is so cold (still close to zero) that when the car warms, the air sucks the moisture out even better than a damp-rid would. I just need to get the warm moist air outside the car before it cools and the moisture condenses.

Mold potential is something to be aware of, but I think it's under control right now. If the weather were warmer, it would be a much bigger problem.

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

cdozo. tell about those cartons of pellets that dry places out. They woudl work in this case. I'm sick so no eloquence. more later. weldcome home one and all. it was really wonderful to be all together like that. B agreed.