Ugh, you dirty old man: moss/fungus removers

[jonny69]

 

Right, both of my cars have been living outside for a few years now. I don’t wash them all that much, but this year they’re both looking noticeably more fungal than normal. Both are growing quite a lot of black fungus and patches of green moss. What’s best to get this off? The black stuff doesn’t seem to want to just wash off and it’s right in the paint. I could do with a fungus killer spray or something and a bit of light toothbrush action before I give it a wash and wax.

 

 

[lesapandre]

Very very dilute bleach? You can buy one of the preparatory kitchen cleaners with bleach too - but try a test patch first. I don't really hold with 'specialist products'. Wear gloves and id use a simple paper face mask when spraying bleach - goggles if you have them. But very diluted mind.

[lesapandre]

Spray on and leave and then wash with lots of water. Should then come off with a good detergent. Works for me but my cars arent precious.

[Datsuncog]

 

I found this stuff to work amazingly well on mould and mildew inside my long-suffering Laguna, and also on moss/green grot outside.

 

99p from Home Bargains.

 

But yeah, do test it somewhere inconspicuous first in case it has a nasty reaction to the paint.

[lesapandre]

One of my Citroens came off Dartmoor covered in slime! Kitchen cleaner dealt with that. I thought the car was a wreck but looks very tidy and well-kept now.

[jonny69]

So I should get a bit HI I'M BARRY SCOTT on it then?

 

[lesapandre]

Mr Muscle is what I used. Lidl worked ok on my big van.

[oldcars]

So I should get a bit HI I'M BARRY SCOTT on it then?

 

BANG, and the paintwork was gone 

[bezzabsa]

Elbow Grease de greaser..works great

[Tickman]

I would try something stardrops as it seems to clean everything but isn't too harsh.

[Wingz123]

Where are you? I have a hot pressure washer and tfr here.... come and use it if your local to Reading....

[DSdriver]

Where are you? I have a hot pressure washer and tfr here.... come and use it if your local to Reading....

...There have been reports of sudden unexplained traffic congestion in the Reading area

[Tadhg Tiogar]

So I should get a bit HI I'M BARRY SCOTT on it then?....

We know a song about that:

 

[jonny69]

Where are you? I have a hot pressure washer and tfr here.... come and use it if your local to Reading....

 

Actually not too far from you. Thanks for the offer. I'll politely decline because I'll need to do it when I have 30 minutes spare and a break in the weather, aligned with SWMBO not wanting needing attention! If I'm just out on the drive for longer than my allotted time I won't get into as much trouble

[garbaldy]

Just spray a slightly stronger mix of tfr on it wait a few mins and wash with a normal car wash brush,

If you get the good stuff it has a wax in it too and leaves a bit shine.

[vulgalour]

Wash them more often?

 

Stardrops is probably the kindest, use a stronger concentration if stuff is being stubborn.  Barry Scott is okay but you have to rinse it off quite well.  Don't spend megabucks on fancy cleaners to cut through that muck, mild household detergents will work just fine.

 

For particularly awkward nooks and crannies you can use generic hair shampoo and a toothbrush, make sure it's really cheap stuff and as bland as possible to reduce risk of discolouring paint.

 

Going to the trouble of claybars and waxing will help keep the green stuff off and help make it easier to wash in the future so, if you have time, it is worth doing just to make life easier further down the line.  The smoother the surface, the harder it is for the vegetation to take hold, which is why once it gets dirty, the slime forests are going to rapidly populate.

[LessThanEqual]

I've always used stardrops, and I like my detailing. Dilutable stuff is gr8 and it's dirt cheap. Stardrops -> soft brush on more stubborn areas -> pressure wash -> two buckets -> pressure wash again. Should see them nice and clean.

[Junkman]

but try a test patch first.

 

 

But yeah, do test it somewhere inconspicuous first

Which is the middle of the bonnet, right?

[Datsuncog]

 

 Which is the middle of the bonnet, right?

 

Absolutely. Look how well it worked on this chap's P6.

 

 

Not a pick of moss or algae. Stunning.

[oldcars]

Would you wash your balls with brake cleaner? Nope, so why wash your car with stuff designed for the kitchen etc? Get some proper car shampoo, that in warm water will clean that off no problem. Tesco even had some simoniz for £4 the other day.

[spartacus]

Fenwick's caravan and camper cleaner. Halfords have it, it's specifically for getting rid of stuff that's grown on vehicles that have been sat. I use it for the first wash of my camper each year, then a good polish after.

 

 

I wouldn't use it on my balls though...

[Datsuncog]

I wouldn't use it on my balls though...

Of course not - that's what Fenwicks Cock & Ball Reviver is for...

[Ghosty]

I used some Aldi mould and mildew remover for that (a bathroom product?). Trouble is I've not seen it in there for ages.

[Wingz123]

Oh and anything you do use douse the area with cool warer first to ensure panels are cool. TFR onto hot panels will stain...ensuring the tfr is not too concentrated either is a must too. I still have an Autosmart guy come round to drop various bits and bobs off to me too - wash mitts, champis leathers, shampoos etc etc.

 

If you change your mind you are more than welcome to use the pressure washer - just bought some more cherry for it too so we’ll have heat!

[barrett]

I hate to think what would happen if you pressure-washed an Ami - the panels are paper-thin

[purplebargeken]

Wingz123...... whereabouts are you? lol

[Wingz123]

Wingz123...... whereabouts are you? lol

Reading - Junc 12 of M4....

 

Come on down! The pressure washer is out today - cleaning engine and arches on Avensis

 

Oh and I’ll mow the lawn

[DeeJay]

Would you wash your balls with brake cleaner?  Nope 

Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it.

[Wingz123]

Firing up this bad boy....

[For Fiats Sake]

I saw a bloke on tv swear by washing powder in solution for cleaning up a very green looking morris minor.

 

It would have to be of the colour safe variety if you didn't want to pogweasel it, Mum used Dreft for as long as I can remember, though that was on cardigans not cars.