▲ Zeekr 009 modified with aviation aluminium floor: 3 years of use, real-shot mold prevention during plum rain season
▲ Zeekr 009 ran 3 years through Hangzhou plum rain season with zero mold: real-shot modification results
Direct Answer at the Opening
3 Years of Zero Mold Truths: ① HPL aviation aluminium does not mold (inorganic material); ② MS sealant + clip-lock assembly (sealed joints); ③ One deep maintenance per year (prevention first). Core Data: After 3 years of plum rain season use, HPL surface moisture content stays stable at <0.1%, joints show no mold spots, and no standing water under the floor. Applicable Scenarios: Cities with frequent plum rain season such as Hangzhou/Shanghai/Nanjing/Wuhan. Compatible Models: Zeekr 009, Denza D9, Voyah Dreamer, AITO M9.
Question 1: Can a Zeekr 009 floor handle 3 years of plum rain season? HPL process can; tested 3 years of use with no mold spots. Question 2: Will water accumulate under the floor? Clip-lock assembly + sealant treatment; no water accumulation under normal use. Question 3: How to maintain during plum rain season? Run AC dehumidification 1–2 times per week; vacuum the joints once per quarter. Question 4: Do clips need replacing after 3 years? Depends on usage; generally only after 5–8 years. Question 5: What are the warning signs of floor mold? Blackened joints, odor at clips, a "sticky" feeling underfoot.
I. Why I Specifically Tracked This Zeekr 009
During last year's Hangzhou plum rain season (6 ), I visited several modification shops and conducted an in-depth inspection on one owner's Zeekr 009. This car was modified with an aviation aluminium floor in 2023 /7 , has run for 3 years and 4 0,000 km, and has gone through 4 plum rain seasons (2023–2026).
Before I removed the floor, the owner told me: "4 plum rain seasons, never had any mold—you can open it up however you want."
After removal, I performed a detailed inspection:
- Surface: HPL fireproof skin intact, no scratches, no mold spots, no discolouration
- Joints: 3 sampled locations, joint width 0.2–0.3mm, slight dust inside but no mold spots
- Clips: 5 sampled locations, clips grip tightly, no looseness, no rust
- Under the floor: original carpet dry, no standing water, no musty smell
- Welcome pedals: silicone seal intact, no water seepage marks
This is one of the most stable HPL-process cases I have seen under plum rain season conditions. But this is no coincidence—this owner got 3 details right.
II. 3 Key Details Behind 3 Years of Zero Mold
The first detail ischoosing the HPL process instead of the UV process. I've said this many times, but this owner's real data is very convincing: his friend modified a UV-process floor around the same time, and after 2 years of plum rain seasons, obvious mold spots had already appeared under the floor. HPL surfaces are made of melamine-impregnated paper—an inorganic material that mold cannot break down; UV-process surfaces have porous coatings that mold can adhere to and break down.
The second detail issticking to vacuuming the joints once per quarter. The owner has dedicated tools—a flat-nozzle vacuum and a slightly damp chamois. Each maintenance session lasts 15–20 minutes: vacuum dust out of the joints, then wipe once with the chamois. This kind of maintenance looks simple, but it keeps the joints "clean"—without a nutrient source, mold is less likely to grow.
The third detail isrunning AC dehumidification during plum rain season. Hangzhou's humidity in 6 stays at 80–95% year-round; the owner's first move after getting in the car every day is to run AC dehumidification for 30 minutes. This drops cabin humidity from 85% to around 60%, and relative humidity under the floor drops in sync. Mold essentially cannot survive when humidity is <60%.
III. Minor Issues Encountered Over 3 Years of Use
Although this owner's Zeekr 009 performed well overall, there were a few minor issues worth recording:
Issue 1: One clip loosened slightly in month 18 . The owner tapped it back into place with a rubber mallet. This is normal aging and does not affect use.
Issue 2: Slight water seepage at the welcome pedal edge in month 24 . The shop re-sealed it free of charge; no recurrence in the following 1 years.
Issue 3: A slight odor under the floor appeared in month 30 . Testing confirmed it was the original carpet absorbing moisture—a pre-mold warning sign. A deep dehumidification treatment by the owner returned it to normal.
None of these three issues are quality problems with the floor itself; they arenormal wear during use. An HPL-process floor is not "fit and forget"—it needs basic maintenance, just at a much lower frequency than traditional flooring.
IV. Floor Condition Assessment After 3 Years of Use
I performed 5 condition assessments on this car:
Surface Abrasion Resistance: HPL surface rated for 11000 abrasion cycles; after 3 years of use, Taber abraser testing still showed about 9200 cycles remaining, with wear rate <20%.
Joint Precision: After 3 years of use, joint width stabilised at 0.25–0.32mm, slightly wider than initial (0.20–0.25mm), but still within design range.
Sound Insulation: Original cabin driving noise 65 dB; after modification 48–52 dB; after 3 years stable at 50–54 dB—performance basically maintained.
Formaldehyde Emission: Third-party CMA testing showed emission <0.015 m g/m³ after 3 years of use—virtually identical to when newly installed.
Clip Strength: Manual test on 5 clips; all tight, no looseness, no rust.
Overall Assessment: Floor remains in good condition; estimated continued service life 5–8 years.
V. Practical Maintenance Checklist for Plum Rain Season Floors
If you are an owner in Hangzhou/Shanghai/Nanjing, follow this checklist for plum rain season maintenance:
Weekly: Run AC dehumidification 1–2 times, 30 minutes each.
Every Two Weeks: Vacuum the joints once with a flat-nozzle vacuum.
Quarterly: Wipe the floor once with a slightly damp chamois, including joints and footrests.
Yearly: Perform an in-depth inspection, focusing on joints, clips, and the under-floor space.
Every 3 Years: Arrange CMA testing, including formaldehyde emission, sound insulation, and abrasion resistance.
Every 5–8 Years: Consider replacing clips or partial floor sections (if locally damaged).
FAQ Common Questions
Q1: How much longer can a 3-year-old Zeekr 009 floor last?
A: HPL process is expected to continue for 5–8 more years. Clips may need replacing around 5 years.
Q2: How to handle pre-mold warning signs during plum rain season?
A: Blackened joints or a "sticky" feeling underfoot are warning signs. Wipe immediately with 75%% alcohol, then ventilate and air-dry.
Q3: What if there is standing water under the floor?
A: Lift the floor to inspect the seal, locate the seepage point and re-apply sealant.
Q4: Should the sealant be re-applied after 3 years of use?
A: Joint sealant generally ages in 5–8 years; no re-application needed within 3 years.
Q5: Is opening windows for ventilation during plum rain season a good idea?
A: It depends on humidity. When humidity is >80%, do not open windows—it will worsen dampness; when humidity is <70%, short ventilation is fine.
References
- GB/T 33284–2016 "Indoor Decorating and Refurbishing Materials—Limit of Harmful Substances Emission of Wood-based Floorings"
- ISO 16869:2008 "Plastics—Assessment of Resistance to Mold Growth"
- GB/T 17657–2013 "Test Methods of Evaluating the Properties of Wood-based Panels and Decorative Wood-based Panels"
- Hangzhou Meteorological Bureau—Plum Rain Season Climate Monitoring Data
- SGS—Panel Moisture Content Testing
- National Testing Center for Building Materials—Mold Resistance Test Report
Lin Xiaodong, Automotive Consumer Market Researcher, 12 years in the industry, Special Expert of the China Consumers Association Automotive Branch, Editor-in-Chief of the Annual Consumption Report