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Black growth on roof


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Over the years I have noticed an increasing number of roughly circular black growths on the rear surface of the roof of my Autocruise Starburst . As I am now forbidden to climb onto the roof to clean it I wonder if anyone can offer any suggestions for removing them. I clean the roof via a step ladder with a soft nylon broom and Fenwick’s cleaner which removes normal dirt. The rear surface of the roof is not smooth which obviously aids growth. The growth is not hard and can be scratched off where it can be reached. Has anyone used a fungicide or similar on a roof?

IMG_4252.jpeg

Edited by colin weston
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12 hours ago, colin weston said:

Over the years I have noticed an increasing number of roughly circular black growths on the rear surface of the roof of my Autocruise Starburst . As I am now forbidden to climb onto the roof to clean it I wonder if anyone can offer any suggestions for removing them. I clean the roof via a step ladder with a soft nylon broom and Fenwick’s cleaner which removes normal dirt. The rear surface of the roof is not smooth which obviously aids growth. The growth is not hard and can be scratched off where it can be reached. Has anyone used a fungicide or similar on a roof?

IMG_4252.jpeg

I also noticed this type of growth on our motorhome. Strangely though, it was only on the white part. As our motorhome is blue, the only 2 white areas are the dometic roof air conditioner and Oyster satellite dish.

All I did was scrub both areas with some carwash foam and a soft brush, then used our powered jet wash machine to rinse it off. Some areas needed the pressure turning up a little to get rid off the more stubborn bits.

Looking at your roof, just be very careful around your roof lights, due to any ageing of the sealants, as a power wash could find a weak spot.

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I get the same problem, and for the past two or three years have used Wet & Forget. Seems to work very well. 

I also get a problem with algae in the crevices around the side windows panel joints and decals. I went round them all with a soft toothbrush dipped in Wet and Forget and seem to have had no further problems. I now use it as a preventative spray, rather than a cure.

(Personally, I would not use a pressure washer on my van (or any other vehicle!) it you want to create a leaky joint, that is the way to do it!)

I also use it on my conservatory roof and again it seems to work. https://tinyurl.com/4npafnfk

Jeremy

Edited by laimeduck
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Get the same problem. Screwfix own brand 'No Nonsense' degreaser (it's water based) sprayed on neat, left for 10 minutes then washed with a soft brush using water removes it without much effort. Same process great for removing squashed insects from the front of the van. As above, I wouldn't go near our van with a pressure washer. 

FD

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I have never been bothered with the roof (cant see it most of the time) as I am well aware of how easy it is for a ladder to slip or even if the roof would take any weight but last year I actually found a vehicle wash in France (in a small town where we always stay can you believe ) with provision for motorhome washing so I am going to take my long handled brush etc and give it a good clean on my way home. It has a raised walkway for just this purpose and I will take a few pics as and when but I sat waiting for my wife to do some shopping watching a French chap wash his roof. It does of course supply you with a powered spray gun but I will be ultra careful when using it to rinse off the suds and not actually aim it at the roof infact might just use it to fill my bucket and rinse with that. 

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10 hours ago, Zydeco Joe said:

Can you put the name of the small French town please. Sounds a good set up, one more advantage in going to France. Would Not use the Pressure Washer.

Lezay, the wash is in the car park for the Intermarche supermarket about 100mtrs from the Aire. 

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