Algea, green stuff, in rear lights.

[mikehep]

Hi there
Live in a very clean air area. Have HD rear lights out twice (64 plate) on frost white. Build up of green stuff. Yuk. Tried cleaning, near impossible. Have a holiday home with a upvc deck and also shows green stuff. Tried, diluted a product called Patio Magic bought from Amazon. Took lights out, used cap from bottle, gently poured it in and around. 3 days later, lights are clear and sparkling. Might try to do it next time whilst lights still on the car. Bottom side of lights might mean I need to take them off.

 

[westdevon]

I've got lots of algae too. How much did you dilute the stuff?

 

[mikehep]

Hi wrested on,
As its a faff to take lights out, oh so so carful due to clips at the front end, I just trickled diluted fluid in. Diluted, it's lasted 3 months on deck at home, but deck is 24/7 accessible without us bolting, teasing out and breathing a sigh when nothing falls off. I suppose you could try with a fine tipped syringe but might find it hard to get into up parts. BTW, within 24 hours, the green had gone. Such a bloody design fault.
If you're taking out the first time, the wiring to the rear lights look like a Fawltey Towers attempt. Take care and g e n t l y prise things apart.

 

[mikehep]

Hi west Devon
As its a faff to take lights out, oh so so carful due to clips at the front end, I just trickled diluted fluid in. Diluted, it's lasted 3 months on deck at home, but deck is 24/7 accessible without us bolting, teasing out and breathing a sigh when nothing falls off. I suppose you could try with a fine tipped syringe but might find it hard to get into up parts. BTW, within 24 hours, the green had gone. Such a bloody design fault.
If you're taking out the first time, the wiring to the rear lights look like a Fawltey Towers attempt. Take care and g e n t l y prise things apart.

 

[jthspace]

When I was having my towbar fitted, they had to remove the rear lights. I checked mine and they are completely clear of any growth inside the units. There is a vent hole at the bottom inside face of the light units which would help keep any moisture to a minimum - algae would seem to like steamy unventilated areas? Do yours have a vent?

Jeff

 

[westdevon]

On mine its the outer edges. Theres a cm or 2 of plastic thats outside the seal. You cant really get anything in there to clean them properly either. I'll try some cleaning fluid, I'm just a bit nervous about to what degree I should dilute the stuff. I dont want to do any paint stripping

In my case its a feature of where I live, it can be very wet here and pretty much everything gets algified in the winter.

 

[jdearauj]

Hi All,

My rear left light does suffer from the algae/green stuff issue and I will need to clean it at some point.

Westdevon - have you been able to clear your outer edges? Any further advice?

I think the only real way to make sure it is cleaned, will be to remove the rear lights which I might attempt and hopefully not break anything.

Cheers

 

[LondonLass]

Just changed from 3H to 4HS, same age car. Old one had horrible greenness from algae around back lights, new one is clean as a whistle. Will keep an eye on them to see if it creeps in, an artifact of parking under conifers?