Jet wash a soft top....?

[JumboBeef]

I've had soft tops for years, and I've always stuck to the golden mantra of never jet wash a soft top.

My current soft top is a bit "green" and although I have cleaned it more than once using soft top cleaners etc, I just can't shift the greenness.

However, someone at work recently bought a 15 year old SAAB soft top. It was a bit unloved. The amount of effort he has put into the paintwork is unbelievable and it glows now. And his soft top looks like new!

He told me he jet washed it to get all the green out, let it dry, used a hood dye (his is black) and then re-waterproofed it.

I was thinking about doing the same to mine (a Volvo C70 with a blue roof if it makes any difference) but Google says NO, NEVER jet wash a soft top.

So who is right?

[carreauchompeur]

I do mine, doesn't seem to hurt it- Although I make sure the spray is at an angle rather than blasting straight at it.

The BMW manual says you can take it through a brushwash. Stuff that, though!

[Rotaree]

I've done mine a few times and it doesn't seem to have done it any harm.

[Liquid Tuna]

I guess your alternative is to pour something chemical on to dissolve the green mould/moss and then wash off. But then that might attack the roof anyway? At least with the pressure washer you have some control I guess.

[Froomee]

Depends on the material. On my M the Autoglym roof stuff is great but my car is kept in a garage 95% of the time.

[bullitinhead]

I jetwashed mine, it was a saab 900, early 9-3 shape, it was green with moss, I tried scrubing washing nothing moved it, I didnt want to jetwash it , but in the end it was all that would shift it, had to do it several times as once it was wet it was hard to see where the moss was. Re-water proofed it with nicwax clothing waterproofer.


Bullit

[Vince70]

Try some watered down Milton steriliser on the roof to kill the green stuff or a bit of white vinegar before staining it with some renovo roof stain.
Then seal the roof with some fabsill.
That's what I did with mine and its looks like a new roof

[JumboBeef]

Thanks for the replies.

So I can jet wash a soft top.

Seems the internet was wrong. No, wait.....

[g3org3y]

Best stuff for waterproofing?

[billzeebub]

I wouldn't jet wash the Convertible soft top personally, particularrly an older car. It isn't just the fabric, but also the seals and rubber. Any slightly perished seals can be damaged by the pressure and this can also cause local water ingress. I always use Autoglym Hood Renovator on my Convertibles. It always brings them up very well and gets rid of the stains. There is a sponge supplied for the cleaner and there is also the waterproof/restorer application too

[CraigyMc]

JumboBeef said:

Thanks for the replies.

So I can jet wash a soft top.

Seems the internet was wrong. No, wait.....

I used to do it to my elise, jsut don't get the jet too close, and definately fabsil (or other good waterproofer) afterward.

I'd suggest putting some towels inside the car before you start...

C

[andy-xr]

Renovo's always worked for me. Some of the dyes and restorers can shrink the fabric a little though, so be careful in how much and how liberal it's applied.

[mike9009]

g3org3y said:

Best stuff for waterproofing?

I always used to use Fabsil - which can be bought from Halfords. It is generally used for waterproofing tents etc.

Mike

[Redbaron1973]

+1 on the Renovo stuff.. works a treat.

Oh and suitably treated - I jet wash the roof of my 129 regularly... nowt worse than a green roof.

[krunchkin]

This was recommended to me for my s2000 and seems to do a very good job. Best applied by a sponge rather than sprayed on though

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospa...

[Toilet Duck]

Use a jetwash with a varaible pressure lance and turn it down so its not on max. As long as you spray it at an angle and not head on at 90 degrees, I can't see it doing any harm. If you got caught out in a torrential downpour at Autobahn speeds (driving conditions that would have been accounted for when the car was designed), I'm sure that the force of the rain would be similar to that of a pressure washer used sensibly.

Its when you take it to the Bosnians at the local car cleaning place and they jet wash the roof at 1000000000000psi and hold it 4 microns away from your roof that will cause problems.

[carreauchompeur]

krunchkin said:

This was recommended to me for my s2000 and seems to do a very good job. Best applied by a sponge rather than sprayed on though

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospa...

Interesting, I was going to buy some for the trims, seems to be a jack of all trades product

[jmorgan]

Used a hand scrubbing brush and fairy liquid. Seemed to work on the green bits. Then used Thompsons brick sealer.

Usual caveat, if it borks yours, not my fault.

[Xtremescoobys]

no worries jetwashing it I then put a puzzi vac over them it really brings the crap out.

[NormalWisdom]

carreauchompeur said:

The BMW manual says you can take it through a brushwash. Stuff that, though!

Been taking my 330ci through a brushwash since I had it. Had a "company" XR3i cab way back which also went through the brush wash.....