Cleaning green algae

Service and MOT done! :)

Now time to get the van ready for the off (hopefully).  It's been stood on the driveway with the 3-4 weekly run out (supermarket run) to keep the cobwebs away.  But the green stuff has started to stick to a couple of places and under the solar panel.

Has anyone used the Fenwick Bobby Dazzler Motorhome cleaner and Rinse Agent on their van?  The info suggests it clears algae.  In the past I've just used normal car/van cleaning shampoo but had to get the elbow grease out on the green algae.

Or do you have any suggestions for an alternative.

Thanks, all

Keith

I use Fenwick Motorhome cleaner first Keith, works well with warm water ,apply cleaner ,then leave the cleaner on to soak into the grim ( not to dry out) the rinse, apply BD if required.
Boaby dazzler

As suggested by burlingtonboaby, then Bobby Dazzler twice a year say October and April. It is simply applied by spray and left to dry.  We find the pre winter application gives some protection against troublesome adherence of green algae and lichen.

The problem is, not letting it dry out. Often you're cleaning a van when it's warmish and even in cloudy weather a panel can dry at one end before it's been fully wetted at the other, let alone had time to soak into the grim grime. If the sun's on it the panel can dry in seconds and washing a van in the rain means the stuff's washed off before it can do any good. That's my cup half empty piece for the day.

steamdrivenandy wrote:The problem is, not letting it dry out. Often you're cleaning a van when it's warmish and even in cloudy weather a panel can dry at one end before it's been fully wetted at the other, let alone had time to soak into the grim grime. If the sun's on it the panel can dry in seconds and washing a van in the rain means the stuff's washed off before it can do any good. That's my cup half empty piece for the day.

My dad used to wash his car in the rain (with an umbrella) as he said the rain helped pre-wash and rinse?   

Take your point about washing the van when its warm though.

Thanks

bristol170kj wrote:

steamdrivenandy wrote:The problem is, not letting it dry out. Often you're cleaning a van when it's warmish and even in cloudy weather a panel can dry at one end before it's been fully wetted at the other, let alone had time to soak into the grim grime. If the sun's on it the panel can dry in seconds and washing a van in the rain means the stuff's washed off before it can do any good. That's my cup half empty piece for the day.

My dad used to wash his car in the rain (with an umbrella) as he said the rain helped pre-wash and rinse?   

Take your point about washing the van when its warm though.

Thanks

If it's like it is here 11 miles south of Crewe, it never rains 

steamdrivenandy wrote:

bristol170kj wrote:

steamdrivenandy wrote:The problem is, not letting it dry out. Often you're cleaning a van when it's warmish and even in cloudy weather a panel can dry at one end before it's been fully wetted at the other, let alone had time to soak into the grim grime. If the sun's on it the panel can dry in seconds and washing a van in the rain means the stuff's washed off before it can do any good. That's my cup half empty piece for the day.

My dad used to wash his car in the rain (with an umbrella) as he said the rain helped pre-wash and rinse?   

Take your point about washing the van when its warm though.

Thanks

If it's like it is here 11 miles south of Crewe, it never rains 

Dad used to live near Stockport.  We're about 4 miles north of Crewe and when he visited us he always said the weather was better here 

And as it happens we haven't seen rain here for about 7 days - would prefer some sun to go with it though :)

I generally soak a small area on the roof of the van and concentrate on it then move on, rarely wash it in full sun.
Plenty of elbow grease required.
Boaby

That puts you near Warmingham, which was obviously very aptly named.

The warning on the Fenwicks cleaner about not letting it dry always worries me so I use MucOff spray,  let that soak for a minute then wash off.

Sadly no longer have my Warwick Duo, when I did I found East Europeans to be very effective!!!

To get rid of green algae on the roof of our Pollensa, I've used these:

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If sprayed liberally and left on, it not only kills existing algae but also prevents it coming back for several months. If the roof is very dirty apart from the algae, then I apply it and leave for a few days, then clean the remaining dirt, bird mess etc off, then spray again to keep the algae away.

A mate of mine used Muck Off to clean his mountain bike and suggested I try there stuff for cleaning our motorhome.
My resent roof cleaning proved it works. I sprayed it on to the long handle brush and scrubbed the roof. Rinsing with the hose shifted most of it first time. A stubborn bit on the front of the Luton took two tries. Under the solar panel was easier with the smaller car wash brush.
The rest of the body work I used a combination of the long handle brush or the wash mitt with the gunk sprayed on it. 
Be wary of mounting bolts under solar panels. I have a black finger nail after catching one of my nails on the said bolt. I didn’t get any kind words from the retired nurse other than calling me a stupid sod. She didn’t offer to finish the roof whilst I was in pain. 

mucoff no longer market their motorhome/caravan cleaner so I emailed to ask if could buy direct and they told me its the same as their bike cleaner which is their main target. Seems to me they miss a trick by not aiming it at motorhomes and caravans.

I have just discovered Fenwicks caravan cleaner. Works amazingly well. I follow the instructions, usually helps. Wear eye protection and gloves too. Anything that good can’t be safe.

I know what Paul said about Muck Off. Sorry to mislead I didn’t realise they had stopped selling the motorhome / caravan cleaner. I bought five litres a couple of years ago. I will have to re think about this next time I need some. Is there bike cleaner ok for other uses ?.

The bike cleaner is exactly  the same as the caravan version, use it any dirty cleaning job, bike, motorbike,  motorhome, caravan, 4x4.

Thanks Paul I was going to speak to my mate in the morning. I can get Muck Off through him at an agreeable price so I will carry on using it for now.

We use this stuff in work on just about anything and everything ( I'm responsible for a large site)....

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Thanks for the Muck off tip Paul, spent 3 hours cleaning the roof today 



To

Been using Muck Off on my bikes for years, brilliant stuff. Never thought of using it on the van roof so good tip 

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This is what my motorhome washer does. I just sit and watch. Dead easy

Dbvwt wrote:Been using Muck Off on my bikes for years, brilliant stuff. Never thought of using it on the van roof so good tip 

Dbvwt: can I please check that this is the correct stuff? :

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Looks promising!

Cymro

Yes that is the stuff.