Unfortunately my car has probably been driven about 30 miles in the past 3 months and I park next to foliage and quite close to some trees and shrubs. With the continuous wet weather of late I have noticed green algae has started to appear on the rubber seals around the glass roof on the Brera.
What is the best course of action to?
a. Remove the algae without damaging the rubber seals
b. Protect them from this as an ongoing measure as the car may not be driven often for months
Quick blast with a pressure washer and then sponge by hand with car shampoo, finish off with either Autoglym vynil and Rubber care or Bumper care, (the green jelly).
Historically I've used Traffic Film Remover (TFR) and a pressure washer, which works very well for cleaning it but it's more difficult to stop it coming back. On one particular occasion I tackled a really bad Stilo I bought that had been stood for months. Same situation, green moss all over the rubber,in the channels etc. I ended up using one of the little steam cleaners you can buy that you see on the shopping channels. I think Argos and Halfrauds sell them for about £20. It worked a treat as it seemed killed off what ever bacteria it was that starts it.
Just be careful with the steam cleaner near the paintwork. It shouldn't harm anything unless you were to hold it steaming for a fair while. So if you quickly catch it I wouldn't worry to much. If you're concerned them mask it up just to be on the safe side. The steam will eventually lift the masking tape but it'll help protect it.
As above, or if you don't wish to damage the paint work, use a handheld steam cleaner (steam shark)to get the worst of it off... Then:
75-25% Bleach /water mix in a spray bottle and some elbow grease with a small tooth brush to get rid of the Algae and stop it returning. The bleach will kill the remaining spores that will only grow back over time otherwise... I did this to my brother in law's 156 two years ago now when he left it standing for a few month... The horrible green stuff has never returned.
Cheapest route, methylated spirit, (like mine with ginger cordial ) joke over, and then protect with silicone grease or oil. Meths and rubber :inlove:A beautiful relationship. :thumbs:
I ended up using ecover multi purpose cleaner and cotton buds, the cotton buds were especially useful for the door window rubbers, I had no idea the amount if gunk dead matter ends up in there and how deep they are. All degreened now.
now buy a cover and protect your lady from the elements
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