Fabric Roof Cleaning/Sealing

[arfur]

So a couple of years ago I bought a low mileage S-line A3 convertible for summer fun.

It does maybe 3k miles a year and is a 2010 TDI .. Great little car for summer days really

The car is normally in a garage, but for various reasons it's recently (through the storms etc) been sitting on the driveway

I've noticed that it's a bit damp inside, not wet, just a bit musty. The fabric roof lining again just feels a bit contaminated

The door seals are all good and the vents are closed

I think that the damp is due to the roof not having been conditioned (probably since new)

Looking around online I see may products and solutions to cleaning/sealing the fabric roof

What does PH recommend ?

Thoughts appreciated

ta

Arf

[swisstoni]

I’ve used Renovo products for years.

[Tickle]

swisstoni said:

I’ve used Renovo products for years.

+1 on Renovo, great stuff.

[strath44]

I second Renovo I've had excellent results and they last a while.

https://www.renovointernational.com/

You really need to use the cleaner then the treatment (not just the treatment on its own)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Soft-Top-Fabric-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Canvas-Soft-Top-...

Word of warning is that once you use the cleaner it can make the roof a fair bit less waterproof (if it wasn't already) so you want to let it dry then get the treatment on before it gets wet again with rain!

Also you may want to keep the dash vents open to let air circulate that may not be helping! Also check your cabin air filter isn't clogged or wet which Audi's can be prone to and also these Freciousplus filters help a bit -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mann-Filter-Freciousplu...

[shtu]

arfur said:

the vents are closed

Leave the vents open.

Check the leak points that aren't the roof, like the pollen filter, scuttle drains, etc.

Buy these and leave them in the car, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seal-Products-Damp-Eater-...

[alabbasi]

303 makes a canvas protector that's sold in many marine supply places. It does a good job.

[arfur]

Really useful folks, thanks

I'll check all the points and maybe change the filter

Those products seem to be unanimous, so will get the car back into the garage, leave it to dry properly and then clean and treat it

cheers

Arf

[arfur]

strath44 said:

I second Renovo I've had excellent results and they last a while.

https://www.renovointernational.com/

You really need to use the cleaner then the treatment (not just the treatment on its own)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Soft-Top-Fabric-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Canvas-Soft-Top-...

Word of warning is that once you use the cleaner it can make the roof a fair bit less waterproof (if it wasn't already) so you want to let it dry then get the treatment on before it gets wet again with rain!

Also you may want to keep the dash vents open to let air circulate that may not be helping! Also check your cabin air filter isn't clogged or wet which Audi's can be prone to and also these Freciousplus filters help a bit -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mann-Filter-Freciousplu...

Thanks for this ... bought both + the filter to fit he Audi ... appreciated !

[Belle427]

Does pay to open the roof up on one of our rare good weather days throughout the season and get some air through it.
I regularly open up car boots/windows on the drive sometimes just to do this.

[arfur]

arfur said:

strath44 said:

I second Renovo I've had excellent results and they last a while.

https://www.renovointernational.com/

You really need to use the cleaner then the treatment (not just the treatment on its own)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Soft-Top-Fabric-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-Canvas-Soft-Top-...

Word of warning is that once you use the cleaner it can make the roof a fair bit less waterproof (if it wasn't already) so you want to let it dry then get the treatment on before it gets wet again with rain!

Also you may want to keep the dash vents open to let air circulate that may not be helping! Also check your cabin air filter isn't clogged or wet which Audi's can be prone to and also these Freciousplus filters help a bit -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mann-Filter-Freciousplu...

Thanks for this ... bought both + the filter to fit he Audi ... appreciated !

All done ! Looks brilliant !