Moss and algae

[BigGrey]

Living in the Pacific Northwest the winters are quite wet and damp and the Airstream is not in covered storage, what can be safely used on the exterior for algae moss removal ???

Thank You

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by BigGrey

Living in the Pacific Northwest the winters are quite wet and damp and the Airstream is not in covered storage, what can be safely used on the exterior for algae moss removal ???

Thank You

White wine vinegar. Works for black mold along the Gulf Coast, should work for algae and moss.

[BigGrey]

Thank You, does it need to be diluted

[cameront120]

Warm soapy water and elbow grease always worked for me.

[BigGrey]

Thank You

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by BigGrey

Thank You, does it need to be diluted

5% vinegar, 95% water is effective against mold. If you buy Heinz white vinegar, it's already a 5% solution, so no need to dilute it; just use it full-strength from the bottle. Soak a sponge in it, and wipe the affected areas thoroughly.

If you buy other brands, check the label. Those may need to be diluted.

After washing with vinegar, wash again with warm soapy water.

[Alphonse]

Doesn't acetic acid (vinegar) passivate aluminum causing it to oxide? Acetic acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

Doesn't acetic acid (vinegar) passivate aluminum causing it to oxide? Acetic acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The chemical process of passivating doesn't happen that quickly. That's why, after you wash with vinegar, you wash again with warm soapy water, to remove any vinegar residue before it has a chance to harm the surface.

In addition, you're using only 5% acetic acid, not 100%.

If you're worried about it, you can always try it on an inconspicuous surface (the belly pan?) first before trying it on the whole trailer. Or keep looking for other alternatives to kill unwanted biological growth on your trailer.

Or leave the biological growth alone and turn your trailer into a chia pet!

[srpuywa]

go to any marine supply store - they have a pretty good selection of slime control