Convertible hood - normal car shampoo OK?

[FunkyNige]

Possibly a dumb question but a quick search on here and the internet brings up some cabriolet roof cleaning products (ie. Autoglym Cabriolet Fabric Hood Cleaning Kit) that seem to suggset they're 'once every 6 months' type affairs but not for the normal washes that are much more often.
My girlfriend is picking up a new convertible and I want to keep it clean but don't really trust a jetwash down the local car wash on a fabric roof, can I use the normal car shampoo every other week and a specialist cleaner every few months, or is it best to use the cabriolet roof cleaner each time?

[Composite Guru]

Is the roof Fabric or Vinyl?

If its Vinyl then use the same stuff as you use on the car but don't let it dry on.
Don't use Auto Glym Fabric Hood Cleaner on a Vinyl roof, it makes a right mess.

As for Fabric roof the Auto Glym stuff will be fine to use.

[Summit_Detailing]

Yes a normal shampoo will be fine.

Worth considering getting it protected soon after delivery as it's new...will make it stay cleaner for longer and the process of washing/cleaning easier.

Gyeon Q2 Fabric coat or Gtechniq I1 both excellent - just ensure the roof is clean and bone dry before application.

cheers

Chris

[FunkyNige]

Thanks, it's a fabric roof (A3).
Aren't the Gyeon and Gtechniq products for interiors? I'm only going by the category on the first website on Google (cleanyourcar.co.uk) Or do they work just as well on the outside too?

[Craikeybaby]

When I've had cars with fabric roofs in the past, I have done a full clean and protect with the specialist products. Then just rinsed the roof when washing the bodywork. I used a small stiff brush - like a nail brush for brushing bird poo out when it has dried.

[Warby80]

FunkyNige said:

Thanks, it's a fabric roof (A3).
Aren't the Gyeon and Gtechniq products for interiors? I'm only going by the category on the first website on Google (cleanyourcar.co.uk) Or do they work just as well on the outside too?

Both those products can be used on fabric roofs. Have a look on youtube for videos of the Gyeon Fabric in action, it is awesome.

[lucido grigio]

I don't wash my roof at all but it is garaged and rarely gets really dirty but I obviously take care

of a bird poo if necessary.