Chimeara faded roof fabric

[bears]

My grey roof panel has spent too many days in the boot and has been rubbing against golf clubs, suitcases etc.
I now have a number of faded areas - any suggestions on what I can use to get it back to its original condition.

[Corin Denton]

Renovo do a range of products in different colours to revive the roof, once you've done that two coats of Thompsons water seal.

Job done.

[Trefor]

Or go to a meet and find another the same colour and swap while the owner isn't looking.

Mind you, I've not seen many grey roofs. I know they exist though. Are you sure it shouldn't be black?

[cosmoschick]

Trefor said:

Or go to a meet and find another the same colour and swap while the owner isn't looking.

Dammit...I thought you hadn't noticed, Trefor!



Anyway, I use Renovo 'soft top dry cleaner', followed by 'soft top reviver' (re-colours and re-conditions) and finally the 'ultra proofer' (waterproof weather barrier).



>> Edited by cosmoschick on Monday 10th May 21:57

[jvaughan]

I can highly recommend Renovo. see my comments on the product review section.

The 400SE roof (12 years old) came up like new. Im not joking, I was sceptical, but Renovo is a miracle.

[simpo two]

Renovo is good but be careful not to get it on the paintwork - it's a bugger to get off if it dries on.

But - fading and scuffing are not the same - if your hood is scuffed it will always be fluffy or shiny!

>> Edited by simpo two on Monday 10th May 22:04

[bears]

Thanks for all the comments - I've gone for the easy option and ordered Renovo and it was delivered next day!!
I'll post a note at the weekend to let you know the outcome.

[hut49]

Ditto to what Simpo Two said. Shiney areas caused by rubbing while stored in the boot are still going to be shiney after Renovo. Has anyone found a solution to this problem? Is it possible to raise the nap (or perhaps "a" nap is more appropriate because it's the hairs that got rubbed off!) by judicious use of some mechanical approach? My lid spends most of its time in the boot and little of its time in its bag, lazy bu$$er that I am! Though I'm not alone, I suspect

[sgrimshaw]

bears said:

Thanks for all the comments - I've gone for the easy option and ordered Renovo and it was delivered next day!! I'll post a note at the weekend to let you know the outcome.

Bears,

I'm approaching halfway through the Renovo process - Cleaned, and first coat of Reviver is on.

You may find these tips useful:

1. Instructions say to remove cleaner with either a sponge or damp cloth - I found that a sponge just seemed to agitate the cleaner. A damp microfibre cloth, rinsed regularly, did the trick to remove the cleaner - took lots of gentle wiping though (I don't think I overapplied the cleaner).

2. Allow to dry - I left it overnight.

2. Reviver.

a). Before you start, run a lint and pet hair remover over the hood (or I guess you could pat it with the sticky side of masking tape). This removes all dust and lint etc. I bought mine from Homebase.

b). Instructions say to use a 2" brush. This was OK for the centre roof section, but is MUCH too big for the rear hood on the car. I used a 3/4" for this section. I bought a cheap set from B&Q £2.98 for 5 brushes, if I was starting again I'd pay a bit more for the ones that guarantee no hairloss from the brush.

c). BEFORE you start applying the dye - mask around the hood on the car. I cut strips of Glossy Photo Paper and slid it between the hood and the bodywork.
Also VERY IMPORTANTLY throw a sheet over the interior - make sure that it covers the headrests, seats and dash. The dye is VERY thin - I was very very careful and there are still some tiny splashes on the sheet - If I hadn't covered up ........

d). As I said above the dye is very thin. Go very slowly, it can splash. I let the mohair almost pull the dye of the brush, by pulling the brush s-l-o-w-l-y along the hood. Let capilliary action do it's job - don't try and "paint" right up to the edge - the dye will soak through the fabric.

e). Watch the effects of gravity! The dye tends to run downhill so the edges of the hard part and the sides of the rear bit can get "overloaded" - just dab a damp cloth gently on these areas if it happens - it will pull the excess off.

Like I said, I've just applied the first coat of Reviver (Dye). I'm not sure I'm going to need a second coat - it looks FABULOUS !!!!!!!

Enjoy your weekend.

Simon

[bears]

The update is I used renovo and it does a fantastic job on the bits that are not scuffed - but the scuffed bits still look scuffed - anyway I gave up after one coat on saturday and went to Knockhill on sunday to watch the Tuscans and some Formula 3s etc. - a great day out!!
Now I am going to apply a second coat and leave it at that.
( anyone any idea on the cost of a new roof panel?)

Cheers

[Big Al.]

bears said:

anyone any idea on the cost of a new roof panel?) Cheers

Or even a roof recover?

[jam1et]

Heres some instructions/pics on re-trimming roof targa section (thanks Rolfe). It includes links to supplier and prices.
Hope its of use. Please forgive crap formatting of the webpage I just chucked it together from a few emails a moment ago.

Will also have pics/tips of my Griff's carpet re-trim soon.

>> Edited by jam1et on Wednesday 19th May 10:05

[griffman]

cosmoschick said:

Trefor said: Or go to a meet and find another the same colour and swap while the owner isn't looking. Dammit...I thought you hadn't noticed, Trefor! Anyway, I use Renovo 'soft top dry cleaner', followed by 'soft top reviver' (re-colours and re-conditions) and finally the 'ultra proofer' (waterproof weather barrier). i have just done my griffs roof with the renovo products. it came up a treat, from a very tired looking grey/black to its lovely new looking black roof. defo on the recommendation front. >> Edited by cosmoschick on Monday 10th May 21:57