Cleaning algae off a car that's been sitting for a while?

[hooblah]

I have a car that's been sitting for some time, it's developed a coat of algae all over it. I need to get rid of it, but I'm scared that using some sort of product along with jet washing will drive that product into all the nooks and crannies and cause rust. This would be fine if the car was driveable, but it's not so I cant take it for a run and air it out.

What would you do?

[ianreeves]

Caravan cleaner. Fenwicks or similar.

[Summit_Detailing]

A citrus based cleaner should also work well, something like Gtechniq W5 or Autofinesse Citrus Power - pre soak with this, rinse and wash as you would normally.

cheers

Chris

[Lesgrandepotato]

When I left my veedub outside for 18mths at the end it was very green.

I washed it. Then it wasn’t green anymore.

[Pericoloso]

I have a Fiesta going green down whole of one side only.

If it ever goes back on the road,I won't be washing it.

[Mignon]

Lesgrandepotato said:

When I left my veedub outside for 18mths at the end it was very green.

I washed it. Then it wasn’t green anymore.

+1

[hooblah]

So this is what I'm talking about. I'm not too worried about the bodywork, but the rubbers and plastics are quite affected and I don't believe it'll be easy to shift as the panels. Those cleaners mentioned above don't sound too friendly, I'd like something pH neutral if possible.

[Pothole]

Snow foam, agitate with a soft brush, rinse off. Repeat as necessary.

[Craikeybaby]

Pothole said:

Snow foam, agitate with a soft brush, rinse off. Repeat as necessary.

This is what I do on my wife's Fiat 500, which seems to get a lot of algae growing, despite being parked next to my BMW, which doesn't.

[hooblah]

I've heard snow foam's a bit crap really.

[227bhp]

I think you're a bit crap really. You should hang your head in shame if you have to ask on a forum how to wash a car.
Good Lord, you must need to help to get out of bed on a morning.

[manmaths]

as with most things it depends which one you buy

I can confirm that Angelwax Fast Foam is very good and has been designed to be wax safe. I dilute 1:5 and spray on to the car via a pump sprayer, rather than a foam cannon.

Just leave it to work for a few minutes (not in direct sunlight ideally) and power hose off.

As others have suggested a good citrus degreaser (diluted) or a traffic film remover (TFR) would also be a good option.

Agitating those stubborn areas with a detailing brush is also a good idea.

[hooblah]

227bhp said:

I think you're a bit crap really. You should hang your head in shame if you have to ask on a forum how to wash a car.
Good Lord, you must need to help to get out of bed on a morning.

I want to use a product that won't cause rust if/when it works it's way into the crevices. I asked to get advice on what to use. Normally I wouldnt hesitate to use TFR, but that might be a bit too aggressive in this case.

[hooblah]

Ok I'm probably going for Gtechniq W5 as it's pH neutral.

The next question is what wax or sealer I should I use to protect it with once it's cleaned? I need something highly durable that will protect for a couple of years, not too fussed about shine. Recommendations?

[227bhp]

hooblah said:

I want to use a product that won't cause rust if/when it works it's way into the crevices. I asked to get advice on what to use. Normally I wouldnt hesitate to use TFR, but that might be a bit too aggressive in this case.

This just doesn't happen. If you use a chemical it gets washed away with the water, or don't and just hit it with a pressure washer.

[hooblah]

And what about the stuff that doesn't get washed away? The stuff that hides behind trim, and seeps into seams?

[227bhp]

hooblah said:

And what about the stuff that doesn't get washed away? The stuff that hides behind trim, and seeps into seams?

What makes you think that someone makes a car cleaning chemical which can hide away unseen, cling on so tight to be unaffected by torrents of clean water, is so corrosive it will melt the paint and then attack the bare steel?
Where doe this notion come from?

Take it out, hit it with the power washer and see what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[hooblah]

Please remove all your bumpers and trim and tell me how clean it is behind there.
The notion comes from it's a 30 year old car.

If you're going to chat st then just don't comment

And it's currently raining. I'm researching.

[bmwmike]

Looks just like my wife's old light blue coloured Megane2 which had been sat for 3 years. I had to use a scotch pad/brillo pad type thing to remove the worse areas. It came off a treat with those, eventually! Still took some scraping.

[bearman68]

Green car - down to the Turks in the local town. £10, and a huge pressure washing,and it looks great. Not had any issues so far, except one or 2 cars have been so green they've charged me £15.