convertible roof cleaning
Discussion
Any recommendations for cleaning/protection products for soft top (06 Mini cooper convertible ). The roof is dark blue in colour but has some marks which I'd like to sort out. I don't know the cause as Ive only just bought the car. I have tried just a scrub with sponge and car shampoo but that hasn't worked. Thanks.
Bought some citrus cleaner from autobrite yesterday, used various concentrates and scrubbing unfortunately hasn't got the marks completely off (believed to be tree sap) Might have another go today, individual scratching at the marks seems to work best but this leaves a 'rub' mark. Also got their sealer product for reproofing but don't want to do it until I get a better result on the markings.
I'm assumging that it is a fabric, rather than vinyl roof. If so, I use Meguiars APC and a small stiff brush, like a slightly bigger nail brush to clean the roof, then apply protectant. Renovo also make good products. Even though only a small area may need the thorough clean, I tend to go over the whole roof to make sure I'm not left with a clean spot where the dirt was.
You really can't beat Renovo products. It's safe for canvas, double-duck or mohair soft-tops.
They do 3 products for soft-top canvas roofs - a cleaner, a 'reviver' (a dye which re-colours the roof), and a water-proofer.
The cleaner is good as it has mould killing properties - it's the only stuff I know of that has the inhibitors in. I used to use the autoglym stuff but it's not brilliant at getting rid of ingrained green mould. I have been known to clean the roof with renovo, then use a Milton baby solution to kill any remaining mould - although it's a form of bleach, it's safe for your roof - I leave it for about 15 minutes then rinse, scrub, rinse, 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 black or 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! If there's a bit of a breeze it only takes ten minutes or so for it to dry between coats/washes.
They do 3 products for soft-top canvas roofs - a cleaner, a 'reviver' (a dye which re-colours the roof), and a water-proofer.
The cleaner is good as it has mould killing properties - it's the only stuff I know of that has the inhibitors in. I used to use the autoglym stuff but it's not brilliant at getting rid of ingrained green mould. I have been known to clean the roof with renovo, then use a Milton baby solution to kill any remaining mould - although it's a form of bleach, it's safe for your roof - I leave it for about 15 minutes then rinse, scrub, rinse, 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 black or 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! If there's a bit of a breeze it only takes ten minutes or so for it to dry between coats/washes.
Wet it and scrub with a nail brush and some car shampoo,Rinse off
then let it dry,
I got some renovo but it didnt turn out too well for me,
it left it patchy and one bottle wasn't enough for a saab 9-3.
so i had to stop and leg it to a mates and borrow some of his.
It seemed to really bring the pile up as well making it feel quite rough,
but im happy to admit i probably did it wrong,
Now i scrub it every four or five washes, but you can still see the diff in colour
it gos everywhere as well
if i was going to do it again id try the autoglym stuff.
or failing that the clear stuff that you do tents with
then let it dry,
I got some renovo but it didnt turn out too well for me,
it left it patchy and one bottle wasn't enough for a saab 9-3.
so i had to stop and leg it to a mates and borrow some of his.
It seemed to really bring the pile up as well making it feel quite rough,
but im happy to admit i probably did it wrong,
Now i scrub it every four or five washes, but you can still see the diff in colour
it gos everywhere as well
if i was going to do it again id try the autoglym stuff.
or failing that the clear stuff that you do tents with
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