Morning  All

I have case of mildew growth in the gutter at the top of the tailgate. I have done a internet search but there are so many ideas out there, as I do not want to damage paint work. See images.  

Does any body have any ideas that can be a long term solution for this on going problem.

Many Thanks.

Terry. 

Edited December 1, 20214 yr by Retired Terry
Removed one image

car shampoo and a old tooth brush🙂

Yep I get the same also along the edge of the bottom of the window seals.

As Del says toothbrush and shampoo.

You need to take a close look at the edges of the gutter rail on your car? There's a few if not alot of older Fiestas getting water leaks in the back of the car, the water was getting in at the corroded point, marked with the red arrow, some 08/09 Fiestas even had rotted through, scratch the rust away, treat if it's just rust, if it's rot then clean it up to bright steel, dry thoroughly then force in seam sealer, spreading it well over the hole, then paint over with the correct white. 

Yep, both ours do this too. Scrub it clean and tend to any rust quickly. Out 2014 is just dirty, the 2009 a bit rusty now.

Mine does the same if I have not cleaned the car for while. I normally hit with a citrus prewash like Valet Pro Citrus or Auto Finesse Citrus Power, let it dwell for a minute or two, then hit it with various soft brushes and car shampoo like Auto Glym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner (it has water repellent properties).  I do wax the area with a carnauba wax twice a year and after a normal wash I use a spray wax like Auto Glym Aqua Wax or Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax to top it up.  This has helped keep it at bay and not get as bad.  I do not to use anything too acidic on the car in general (to kill the moss), as like you say can damage the paint work and metal and it is just elbow grease and regular cleaning unfortunately.

Well the weather was fine yesterday, so I cleaned the gutter and roof line area of the car. But I thought that I would try something different, I made a solution of  distilled water 90% and some "Isopropyl Alcohol 10% " (IPA) as a very dilute solution. And it worked a treat lifting the mildew and other dirt deposits. 

I shall be keeping an eye on things over the next few weeks. to see if the mildew returns.

    Thanks for looking

Terry.

Protect the area with sealent or wax. Makes cleaning easier next time. 

I shall do when the warmer weather gets here. As I have the polish in the cupboard already.

6 hours ago, Scottyghia said:

Protect the area with sealent or wax. Makes cleaning easier next time. 

 

Flash spray with bleach and toothbrush. Be careful not to drip onto trim

Don't leave it on long, the bleach will kill the mould spores and stop it growing back