It's only 2 months since I last went out in my Freedom, but since then it's grown quite a thick layer of thick, green algae, particularly on the roof. Very difficult to get rid of! Especially as I can't reach the middle of the roof of the 'van just using my step ladder. (Have just bought myself a multi-position ladder, including a platform, but I haven't figured out how to get it into the right position yet!)
Anyone got any easy tricks for getting the stuff washed off? I gave it a really good squirt with the hose on 'jetwash' setting in the hope of at least loosening it but it still took a lot of rubbing with the sponge to get it off.
Someone recommended using a roof cover, the make of which has very good reviews, but I would rather get rid of all the algae first!
Comments/ideas welcome.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
dont park it near trees! thats where its coming from. a decent car shampooing left to soak and then a thorough rinse and polish. use a long reach brush, you think your caravan is hard try doing it on a 8 meter twin axle van!
We use Fenwicks caravan cleaner and one of those long reach brushes that goes almost completely across the roof. My step ladder is a bit too short to reach the roof, but I somehow manage.
We do keep a cover over our caravan which certainly keeps it reasonably clean, but that is a pain to put on, as young Auntie is not able to lift it over, so I am running from side to side while she holds it to stop it sliding off. Not quite the easy job the manufacturers show in their videos.
Thanks folks, Marg6 the caravan isn't parked anywhere near trees! The driveway is, though, south facing so I don't know whether this is the culprit. However we haven't exactly had much sunshine this year, to promote algae growth...
I'm not sure a long handled brush would be much help as the algae is stuck fast, needing lots of elbow grease to shift it. Really hard work actually, especially when you're hanging onto the awning rail to prevent a fall from the ladder....
I haven't had time today to play with my new multi-positional ladder so the algae still on the roof will have to stay there for now!
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Another one endorsing Fenwicks Caravan Cleaner and long handled brush.
My caravan didn't get washed for 3 years after I first got it (s/h), dirt didn't seem to stick to it, just washed off in the rain, assumed it had been treated with some 'anti-dirt' treatment by previous owner - But then over that winter it just went 'mouldy', everything had stuck to it and roof was well and truly green and black!
Just basic Fenwicks caravan cleaner dealt with it all! Soaked the whole caravan first with a hose to soften any dirt/algae, then used the detergent with the brush, required a little bit of 'scrubbing' on the determined stuff, but it all shifted! Looked as good as new when I'd finished.
It's not stored under trees, but has spent a few weeks under trees on camp site pitches this year, and the roof is diabolical again! Figured it could wait until spring for a clean!
Possibly caravan dealers employ a caravan washer to clean the caravans for sale. They may do it for you especially if you have the van serviced there.
Alternatively, Yeatheridge Farm in Devon has a large number of vans stored there with tow out and in by tractor to a standard pitch. They have a caravan washing bay with a very useful set of stairs on wheels with hand rail etc which makes washing the roof a doddle. Might be worth having a night or two there to use that. Sometimes they also have someone employed to wash van for a fee.
I don't know if you have a roof light. I had one which hinged up allowing me to put steps inside the van get my head and shoulders and arms out through. I placed the bucket on the roof and washed it from there.
Thanks guys - looks like Fenwicks is the stuff to use.... Is this long handled brush people are mentioning specific to caravan washing? Someone suggested I used a sponge with a nylon net pulled over it. I was a bit concerned, though, that it might scratch the caravan's surface? I imagine that if the surface becomes a bit rough, it might make it even easier for the algae to stick to it...
I didn't think of taking it somewhere like a dealer or a storage compound to get it done - but being careful, I don't like parting with money unless I absolutely have to! I'll leave that as a last resort if I can't shift the algae by any other means.
Bobajob week? I haven't seen any scouts round doing Bobajobs for donkeys years; I didn't know they still did it. Probably too many H&S regulations to send 'em up a ladder washing a caravan roof!
I'm off out in the caravan this morning, so it'll have to travel with the middle section of the roof, where I've been unable to reach, still covered in algae! Any more trade secrets (or any other type)welcome....
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Algae grows when it's wet, the sun shines on the little pool of water and heats it up which increases the rate at which it grows. It may be worth increasing the slope on the roof by raising or lowering one end in a bit to shed the water in the first place. It happens to most of us in some form or another, I use Fenwick's and a telescopic brush then rinse with bobby dazzler to inhibit regrowth and their overwinter when laying it up.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
The handle is telescopic, so you can adjust length as required up to 2m long, it has a hose connector and tap on the end, so you can feed water direct to the brush head. The brush head is made from a 'rubbery' material so less likely to scratch surfaces, and the bristles are on a curved head, so easy to use with handle parallel to roof.
I'm tall and with long arms, but there is no other way I could reach centre third of my roof without this brush. Like many caravans, my roof is NOT load bearing, so I can't really clamber up on it or even lean upper half of body on it to reach further across.
Some people use 'Patio Cleaner' type fluids, which are spray and forget, killing the algae over time and letting rain wash it off, but caravans are made of a variety of materials, some are more sensitive to damaging chemicals than others, so important to check that any cleaner used is recommended for use on caravans etc. You do need to take precautions with most, not to inhale spray or have prolonged skin contact, and not considered 'safe' until they've dried on treated surfaces.
Always used the Fenwicks range to clean our caravans. I use the cleaner to wash the van and Bobby Dazzler to get a nice lasting shine. Drying the winter months I've used the Fenwicks Over wintering wash. This seems to help with removing stubborn stains/algae/bird droppings that tend to be on the caravan while its in storage.
I would also recommend Fenwick's productions including the 'Bobby Dazzler'. However I haven't used it now for 8 years as our current and previous van had been treated with Paintseal so generally only need a quick rinse. Paintseal is expensive IMO, but it does make the job much easier.
Thanks once again folks, for taking the trouble to post, and recommend your favourite items. That Martin Cox wash brush looks a handy bit of kit, but many reviewers complained that it leaked if you connected it to a hose.
So is the Fenwicks a polish, or just a cleaning solution?
Thanks.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
All these types of brushes I have found leak at some point from the hose connector.
Some from straight out the wrapping.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Fenwicks Caravan Cleaner is a detergent, not a polish. Bobby Dazzler is a post wash surface treatment that minimises attraction of new dirt AND gives a shine, it's a rinse treatment so doesn't require hard graft of hand application then polishing off (seems to work, certainly made my van sparkle).
When you start cleaning a caravan, you quickly realise what a mammoth task it is compared to say cleaning a car, so anything that takes the hard graft out of it and/or speeds up the process, and even minimises the frequency you need to do it becomes MUCH appreciated! - it takes me around 4 hours to get my largish 4 berth van from 'a sorry sight' to near pristine about once a year, usually in spring after outdoor (and no cover) overwinter storage.
I also use a large (61x81cm) microfibre vehicle drying towel instead of a chamois to dry off the van after a wash, it's got 'pockets' in the corners, so you can put your hands in and do a two handed 'sweep' across the vast expanse of panels, so much quicker, easier, and more effective than a chamois! Gets rid of all the water marks a treat.
There are competitive brands on the market, but never used them, so can't comment on them, the Fenwicks products I've used (most of the range!) have done the job well enough, so not inclined to go looking elsewhere just for the sake of it! - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Once having got rid of the algae from the roof I was going to buy a roof cover for the caravan, to stop the formation of any more green gunge, but from what all these reviewers say, I shouldn't need to!
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
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Topic: Shifting Algae from Caravan
via mobile 28/12/2024 at 3:39pm
Any more trade secrets (or any other type)welcome....
