Cleaning a fabric convertible roof
Discussion
Good evening gents,
Recently bought myself an e36 323 cabrio with a blue fabric roof. It doesn't leak and looks quite tidy for 15 years old, but it's slightly faded and with some slightly green bits on it that even a good scrub and some BMW spray on stuff can't get rid of.
When I had my MX-5 with the vinyl roof I used some Renovo stuff, one that helped recolour it & condition it, and the other that waterproofed it and made it bead.
Think I still have the bottles in the garage from the MX-5 but I am assuming I need something different for the fabric. Presumably some sort of cleaner to get the green tinge off, or some sort of dye, and some waterproofer...
Anybody got any recommendations?
Also, the plastic window has got a crease/distortion in it but I am assuming there is nothing I can do about it. I was hoping the warm weather might help it settle but it hasn't...
Recently bought myself an e36 323 cabrio with a blue fabric roof. It doesn't leak and looks quite tidy for 15 years old, but it's slightly faded and with some slightly green bits on it that even a good scrub and some BMW spray on stuff can't get rid of.
When I had my MX-5 with the vinyl roof I used some Renovo stuff, one that helped recolour it & condition it, and the other that waterproofed it and made it bead.
Think I still have the bottles in the garage from the MX-5 but I am assuming I need something different for the fabric. Presumably some sort of cleaner to get the green tinge off, or some sort of dye, and some waterproofer...
Anybody got any recommendations?
Also, the plastic window has got a crease/distortion in it but I am assuming there is nothing I can do about it. I was hoping the warm weather might help it settle but it hasn't...
Go down to your local scratch merchants, they'll jet wash it for you for a fiver!!!
In all seriousness AG kit is very good, if you have the time and patience (and can do it under cover) follow these steps -
Hoover the roof
Use the AG cleaner and sponge to get the worst of the dirt off - rinse as per instructions
Any green areas - spray on the cleaner again and cover with plastic - leave overnight if possible
Magically the green will simply rinse away
Important bit now - re-proof the roof
V Important don't get the reproofer on the bodywork, windows or plastic rear window (if you do clean off straight away with glass cleaner)
Ta Dah!
Or get a detailer to do it for you :-)
In all seriousness AG kit is very good, if you have the time and patience (and can do it under cover) follow these steps -
Hoover the roof
Use the AG cleaner and sponge to get the worst of the dirt off - rinse as per instructions
Any green areas - spray on the cleaner again and cover with plastic - leave overnight if possible
Magically the green will simply rinse away
Important bit now - re-proof the roof
V Important don't get the reproofer on the bodywork, windows or plastic rear window (if you do clean off straight away with glass cleaner)
Ta Dah!
Or get a detailer to do it for you :-)
You can't beat Renovo products. It's safe for canvas, double-duck or mohair tops.
They do 3 products for soft-top canvas roofs - a cleaner, a 'reviver' (dye), and a waterproofer.
The cleaner is good as it has mould killing properties. I used to use the autoglym stuff but it's not brilliant at getting rid ingrained green mould. I have been known to clean the roof with renovo, then use a Milton baby solution to kill any remaining mould, then clean it again with Renovo... http://amzn.to/1s2h5pM
The reviver is a dye that you paint on and it brings back the nice deep colour of the original roof. It comes in blue: http://amzn.to/1qAWY4k
The proofer has anti-mould properties which should keep it from going green as quickly in future. http://amzn.to/1o4aQhq
I usually give it a couple of coats of renovo proofer, then a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold which is a tent waterproofer but it makes it really waterproof, rain just runs off after it's been treated. http://amzn.to/TEVpE4
You need a good dry day so you can wash / dye and proof the roof in one day, you can do other stuff whilst it's drying and it's nice to see a before and after with it looking as good as new!
They do 3 products for soft-top canvas roofs - a cleaner, a 'reviver' (dye), and a waterproofer.
The cleaner is good as it has mould killing properties. I used to use the autoglym stuff but it's not brilliant at getting rid ingrained green mould. I have been known to clean the roof with renovo, then use a Milton baby solution to kill any remaining mould, then clean it again with Renovo... http://amzn.to/1s2h5pM
The reviver is a dye that you paint on and it brings back the nice deep colour of the original roof. It comes in blue: http://amzn.to/1qAWY4k
The proofer has anti-mould properties which should keep it from going green as quickly in future. http://amzn.to/1o4aQhq
I usually give it a couple of coats of renovo proofer, then a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold which is a tent waterproofer but it makes it really waterproof, rain just runs off after it's been treated. http://amzn.to/TEVpE4
You need a good dry day so you can wash / dye and proof the roof in one day, you can do other stuff whilst it's drying and it's nice to see a before and after with it looking as good as new!
I did the colour reviver first, horrible stuff and a pig to get on the roof. I used a full container and then some because it just runs off onto bodywork. So buy two
It went on a bit patchy but that's because I had to nip to my mates and borrow some of his.
It seems to bring the pile up as well so it's quite rough now to the touch
I put the water proofer on. But again almost ran out of it again.
I have bought another tin of it and will redo before the winter
But after that it's fabsil for me.
Seems ok but to be fair the roof wasn't in bad nick in the first place
It went on a bit patchy but that's because I had to nip to my mates and borrow some of his.
It seems to bring the pile up as well so it's quite rough now to the touch
I put the water proofer on. But again almost ran out of it again.
I have bought another tin of it and will redo before the winter
But after that it's fabsil for me.
Seems ok but to be fair the roof wasn't in bad nick in the first place
j4ckos mate said:
I did the colour reviver first, horrible stuff and a pig to get on the roof. I used a full container and then some because it just runs off onto bodywork. So buy two
It went on a bit patchy but that's because I had to nip to my mates and borrow some of his.
It seems to bring the pile up as well so it's quite rough now to the touch
I put the water proofer on. But again almost ran out of it again.
I have bought another tin of it and will redo before the winter
But after that it's fabsil for me.
Seems ok but to be fair the roof wasn't in bad nick in the first place
Without wanting to sound like your clichéd PH response, I suspect you had problems with the colour reviver because you didn't clean the previous waterproofing off the canvas.It went on a bit patchy but that's because I had to nip to my mates and borrow some of his.
It seems to bring the pile up as well so it's quite rough now to the touch
I put the water proofer on. But again almost ran out of it again.
I have bought another tin of it and will redo before the winter
But after that it's fabsil for me.
Seems ok but to be fair the roof wasn't in bad nick in the first place
For the reviver to get into the fabric you need to give the roof a really good vac then clean with a good cleaning solution. You're aiming to not only get the dirt out but also the mould spores and previous coatings of waterproofing etc.
If the reviver is beading on the roof and not soaking in straight away then your roof needs further cleaning (if it's a canvass / mohair one - vinyl etc will obviously be different)
Once you've spent far too long cleaning the roof then rinsing it, then waiting for it to dry, you should be able to get the reviver on easily.
I found the best way was to pour a bit into a spray canister lid then use a decent paint brush to paint it on, keeping a wet leading edge and trying to get it all done without it drying (overcast days are best for this).
Good luck!
Hi,
i wetted it with hosepipe, then mixed up some fairly decent car shampoo and scrubbed it with a nail brush.
the shampoo bubbles were very green. almost luminous.
it seemed worse nearer the windscreen frame, where the roof canvas sits on top of the area where the sun visors are.
Its passable from about six feet away, just looks patchy because i ran out of stuff and had to nip round to my mates
seems to really raise the pile of the fabric as well.
its a bugger to get off the paintwork though, hang on will supply a pic
i wetted it with hosepipe, then mixed up some fairly decent car shampoo and scrubbed it with a nail brush.
the shampoo bubbles were very green. almost luminous.
it seemed worse nearer the windscreen frame, where the roof canvas sits on top of the area where the sun visors are.
Its passable from about six feet away, just looks patchy because i ran out of stuff and had to nip round to my mates
seems to really raise the pile of the fabric as well.
its a bugger to get off the paintwork though, hang on will supply a pic
j4ckos mate said:
Hi,
i wetted it with hosepipe, then mixed up some fairly decent car shampoo and scrubbed it with a nail brush.
the shampoo bubbles were very green. almost luminous.
it seemed worse nearer the windscreen frame, where the roof canvas sits on top of the area where the sun visors are.
Its passable from about six feet away, just looks patchy because i ran out of stuff and had to nip round to my mates
seems to really raise the pile of the fabric as well.
its a bugger to get off the paintwork though, hang on will supply a pic
Sounds like you put the effort in! I wonder if there is a difference in the car shampoo and roof cleaner?i wetted it with hosepipe, then mixed up some fairly decent car shampoo and scrubbed it with a nail brush.
the shampoo bubbles were very green. almost luminous.
it seemed worse nearer the windscreen frame, where the roof canvas sits on top of the area where the sun visors are.
Its passable from about six feet away, just looks patchy because i ran out of stuff and had to nip round to my mates
seems to really raise the pile of the fabric as well.
its a bugger to get off the paintwork though, hang on will supply a pic
I'd be tempted to try some autoglym cleaner on it (there's a decent kit with a hard sponge and cleaner + proofer sprays) or the renovo cleaner and see if after a good clean with that it is easier to give it a coat of reviver.
If it's still a bit green then maybe give it a soak in weak milton solution - I've washed mine with autoglym cleaner, rinsed, then soaked it in milton solution and left it for about 15 minutes then just rinse it off well, let it dry, then reviver.
The reviver is a pain if you let it dry on glass / paint - needs scraping off with a thumbnail!
I've had 7 convertibles - five S2000's and two Vantage roadsters
I tried a few things on the first S2000 and always came back to a gentle pressure wash and 303 protectant
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospa...
This is the vinyl version, there a green label bottle for fabric
Strangely enough I don't have any decent pic of them with the roofs up!
Try this one
image by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I tried a few things on the first S2000 and always came back to a gentle pressure wash and 303 protectant
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospa...
This is the vinyl version, there a green label bottle for fabric
Strangely enough I don't have any decent pic of them with the roofs up!
Try this one
image by mikey k V8VR, on FlickrNiceCupOfTea said:
Just to revive (excuse the pun) this thread, about to put in a big amazon order - it's not cheap stuff, so don't want to over order. Is 500ml of all the renovo stuff enough?
Yes should be fine on average sized roofs, something like a Bentley GTC or Maserati GranCab roof may need more as those are BIG roof's!Chris
Summit Detailing
Thought I would report back.
Decided to do the works - 3 stage Renovo, Milton solution, and finish with Fabsil.
It took me 3 days on and off.
Renovo cleaner is very good, used a stiff bristle brush to lather and the first go came off with browny green water. Had to scrub quite vigorously to remove the green - and this is where I made my big mistake - scrubbing above the rear window the stitching gave way and I now have a gaping hole above the window
Also, on drying, I could see that the pile of the hood had been raised in places - I guess brushing the fabric had damaged the fibres.
Anyway, used a milton solution which seemed to do nothing other than make it stink, and another go with the Renovo Cleaner.
First coat of Renovo restorer (coloured stuff). Didn't let it dry and tried to wipe it off all surfaces, but I guess a fingernail or claybar should deal with the bits I missed. Keen to get it finished, I put the second coat on at dusk. Big mistake
Using a site lamp out on the front drive at 9pm was a terrible idea due to shadows, and it was sheer fluke and being methodical that meant it wasn't too patch the following morning.
2 coats of Milton Proofer over the day went on quite easily, and the following day I did 2 coats of Fabsil. This says 6 hours in between coats. Went on quite easily, but I should have read the tin as it's nasty stuff to get on your hands and my skin is now painfully dry and cracked.
Bottom line is that it now looks pretty good and presumably will bead nicely when it rains. However, I have damaged the hood fibres in places where I have brushed hard, and I have just been to a trimmers who have informed me that the window cannot be restitched without the hood coming off the car and the frame which will cost £400 or so, whereupon I might as well spend £650 on a new hood, relegating 3 days of work and £50+ of "products" to the bin.
So all in all I wish I hadn't bothered
PS - the amounts I bought (500ml Renovo Cleaner & Restorer, 1L Renovo Proofer, 1L Fabsil Gold) were enough to do 2 coats each of an e36 cab, but couldn't have got another coat out of any bottle.
Decided to do the works - 3 stage Renovo, Milton solution, and finish with Fabsil.
It took me 3 days on and off.
Renovo cleaner is very good, used a stiff bristle brush to lather and the first go came off with browny green water. Had to scrub quite vigorously to remove the green - and this is where I made my big mistake - scrubbing above the rear window the stitching gave way and I now have a gaping hole above the window
Also, on drying, I could see that the pile of the hood had been raised in places - I guess brushing the fabric had damaged the fibres.Anyway, used a milton solution which seemed to do nothing other than make it stink, and another go with the Renovo Cleaner.
First coat of Renovo restorer (coloured stuff). Didn't let it dry and tried to wipe it off all surfaces, but I guess a fingernail or claybar should deal with the bits I missed. Keen to get it finished, I put the second coat on at dusk. Big mistake
Using a site lamp out on the front drive at 9pm was a terrible idea due to shadows, and it was sheer fluke and being methodical that meant it wasn't too patch the following morning.2 coats of Milton Proofer over the day went on quite easily, and the following day I did 2 coats of Fabsil. This says 6 hours in between coats. Went on quite easily, but I should have read the tin as it's nasty stuff to get on your hands and my skin is now painfully dry and cracked.
Bottom line is that it now looks pretty good and presumably will bead nicely when it rains. However, I have damaged the hood fibres in places where I have brushed hard, and I have just been to a trimmers who have informed me that the window cannot be restitched without the hood coming off the car and the frame which will cost £400 or so, whereupon I might as well spend £650 on a new hood, relegating 3 days of work and £50+ of "products" to the bin.
So all in all I wish I hadn't bothered
PS - the amounts I bought (500ml Renovo Cleaner & Restorer, 1L Renovo Proofer, 1L Fabsil Gold) were enough to do 2 coats each of an e36 cab, but couldn't have got another coat out of any bottle.
I have just bought myself an E46 M3 cab' with black roof and, after reading the above, am now scared to touch it!
he roof fabric seems in great nick but there is a little greening to the seems. Is there a best way to wash the hood without having to worry too much about the whole Renovation tac that some have tried? Is there a best shampoo for the job??
he roof fabric seems in great nick but there is a little greening to the seems. Is there a best way to wash the hood without having to worry too much about the whole Renovation tac that some have tried? Is there a best shampoo for the job??
Edited by Steve Devaney on Wednesday 6th May 12:41
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: I used Renovo when I had my Boxster and it's brilliant stuff - just do what it says on the cleaner bottle and it should be fine - main thing I found was to use a stiff enough brush.
Why are some chaps complaining that the stiff brushing has ruined the finish on their hood?Should gentle power washing ever be used or avoid it like the plague??
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