spray hood going green - any suggestions for cleaning?

In fact both the spray hood and the sail cover have started to develop a green tinge. Putting the sail cover through the washing machine didn't really help, but can't even try that with the spray hood. Any one got any suggestions that won't damage the original colour and might stop future growth (is it algae or mould?)

As ever any advice appreciated.

big bucket, Vanish cleaner and Fairy and good brush and away you go.
 
Incredible! I read this thread and decided to go for the Patio Magic. So 8.00pm last night I ordered some on the interweb with free delivery and it arrived at 8.45am this morning!

It's an amazing world :D
 
It seems that Patio Magic is a diluted solution of Benzalkonium chloride - if you're going to use a lot, it would be much cheaper to buy the base chemical and dilute it yourself if you can find a suitable supplier.
 
It seems that Patio Magic is a diluted solution of Benzalkonium chloride - if you're going to use a lot, it would be much cheaper to buy the base chemical and dilute it yourself if you can find a suitable supplier.

You're quite right, but I have to say that you might apply the same thought to almost any product.
 
It seems that Patio Magic is a diluted solution of Benzalkonium chloride - if you're going to use a lot, it would be much cheaper to buy the base chemical and dilute it yourself if you can find a suitable supplier.

You don't need a lot, 5 litres further diluted up to x9 will last you many years. Buying the base material will probably involve minimum 25 kg size, if they would sell to a private person.

Just reading the back of my tomato ketchup, I could buy the ingredient and make that myself.
 
That's why I recommended Algon it is more environmentally friendly than patio magic this site gives more info http://www.algon.co.uk/index.html

I couldn't find a hazard datasheet at this site. It does say organic but that's meaningless as the active agent it Patio Magic is also an "organic" chemical.

I found a reference to Algon at www.mursattchemicals.com/pdf/algon.pdf and it is also toxic to aquatic life. Might not be the same material but I prefer to check the datasheets whenever possible. Usually quite interesting.

Patio Magic came to my mind as soon as I read the post. I use it every couple of years and passed the tip on last year. Greenest, slimiest deck I'd ever seen and owner didn't believe he didn't need to scrub off the Patio Magic. He returned around 2 weeks later and confirmed that it had worked as promised.

I expect Algon will work as well if it is the one based on the chemicals listed in the datasheet.
 
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I couldn't find a hazard datasheet at this site. It does say organic but that's meaningless as the active agent it Patio Magic is also an "organic" chemical.

I found a reference to Algon at www.mursattchemicals.com/pdf/algon.pdf and it is also toxic to aquatic life. Might not be the same material but I prefer to check the datasheets whenever possible. Usually quite interesting.

Patio Magic came to my mind as soon as I read the post. I use it every couple of years and passed the tip on last year. Greenest, slimiest deck I'd ever seen and owner didn't believe he didn't need to scrub off the Patio Magic. He returned around 2 weeks later and confirmed that it had worked as promised.

I expect Algon will work as well if it is the one based on the chemicals listed in the datasheet.

I'm always a bit suspicious when datasheets aren't readily available. The one you found is, I believe, a different "Algon". I think the Algon referred to in this thread is the stuff on this datasheet - http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...oKFinjp9eC7HuhQ&bvm=bv.42965579,d.d2k&cad=rjt

It looks like it's basically acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid). It's what you find in vinegar. But it is harmful to vegetation and fish, so not quite as benign as suggested.
 
I'm always a bit suspicious when datasheets aren't readily available. The one you found is, I believe, a different "Algon". I think the Algon referred to in this thread is the stuff on this datasheet - http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...oKFinjp9eC7HuhQ&bvm=bv.42965579,d.d2k&cad=rjt

It looks like it's basically acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid). It's what you find in vinegar. But it is harmful to vegetation and fish, so not quite as benign as suggested.

Always seems OK on my fish and chips.
 
Surely vinegar is toxic, and very good disinfectant. That makes it food preserver :)
But it's natural, once diluted will do no harm in environment, high concentration only is an issue.
 
I'm always a bit suspicious when datasheets aren't readily available. The one you found is, I believe, a different "Algon". I think the Algon referred to in this thread is the stuff on this datasheet - http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...oKFinjp9eC7HuhQ&bvm=bv.42965579,d.d2k&cad=rjt

It looks like it's basically acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid). It's what you find in vinegar. But it is harmful to vegetation and fish, so not quite as benign as suggested.

Thanks, the link to their eBay store was broken and site had little solid information. It's registered to an individual (not a trader) who owns several related domains and obviously is in business. I wondered if they might just be re-selling the Algon I came across.

However, you have found the correct datasheet. I do notice that is says that Algon contains small amounts of an organophoshphate and they tend to be rather nasty. Many organophosphates are neuro-toxins and were used in pesticides (probably still are). I'm guessing that's why they advise keeping run-off away from fish ponds (hopefully this one has low toxicity). It also contains Citric acid and CI acid (I imagine that will be to colour it)

If 5% acetic is the active ingredient then vinegar would be cheaper (perhaps add a little citric acid). Concentraton of organphopsphates is very low but spec. is very vague about it so not certain why it's there but could just be as a surfactant.
 
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Patio magic use on my sprayhood and cockpit cover has not affected the waterproofing of the material.

If the material is waterproof, then how does the mould manage to thrive? When the waterproofing wears out, after about 18 months, water gets into the material at which point it gets mouldy, not before...

.
 
You don't need a lot, 5 litres further diluted up to x9 will last you many years. Buying the base material will probably involve minimum 25 kg size, if they would sell to a private person.
Actually, the base material is widely available in 5 litre packs. Comparing prices, a 5 litre container of Patio Magic, which is a 7.5% solution of Benzalkonium Chloride, costs £17.99. Buying the base material from a chemical supplier, who will happily sell to the public, costs £14.50, and it's a 50% solution - so Patio Magic is more than 7 times the price!
Just reading the back of my tomato ketchup, I could buy the ingredient and make that myself.
Have you ever tried? You may be pleasantly surprised, and save a lot of money!
 
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