Discussion
I've owned 2 soft tops over the years. Neither an aston tho but I used the autoglym cleaner and protector kit on both and they always looked great afterwards. Applied cleaner then protector twice a year. Always brought the roof up like new. For the record 1 was an Alfa and the other a Saab.
Mine was looking a bit faded/grubby and a tiny bit green in one place plus bird lime ingrained in another - I did a bit of Internet research and came up with a three step product/process called Renovo.
I was really chuffed. Results were stunning, cleaned out all the grime then dyed it dark and proofed it like new again (rainwater beads on it instead of soaking in). The smaller kit 500ml was enough for my Roadster. Lasted a year so far kept outside.
Not a quick job to do it properly though - took a weekend with time for drying between coats. I used a small sponge to apply the dye (dabbing) and gave it two coats of the proofer. You need to protect the paintwork too. But if you're patient it comes up like a new top :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009AGHE8G?
I was really chuffed. Results were stunning, cleaned out all the grime then dyed it dark and proofed it like new again (rainwater beads on it instead of soaking in). The smaller kit 500ml was enough for my Roadster. Lasted a year so far kept outside.
Not a quick job to do it properly though - took a weekend with time for drying between coats. I used a small sponge to apply the dye (dabbing) and gave it two coats of the proofer. You need to protect the paintwork too. But if you're patient it comes up like a new top :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009AGHE8G?
I'm on my 8th roadster and have always used the same technique because it works well
Gentle scrub with car shampoo and brush
Gentle pressure wash to rinse
Dry well
Clean sponge to apply 303 cloth protectant in both directions leave to dry well
That usually lasts well over a year with just normal washing in between
Gentle scrub with car shampoo and brush
Gentle pressure wash to rinse
Dry well
Clean sponge to apply 303 cloth protectant in both directions leave to dry well
That usually lasts well over a year with just normal washing in between
kensilver said:
My MY08 has a small number of slightly shiny areas on the roof fabric at the folds.
Will any of the treatments here, or on the other thread, turn those back to black again?
Will any of the treatments here, or on the other thread, turn those back to black again?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Renovo-RHRBLA5001115-Soft-...
V8 Animal said:
Yup, saw that. My experience is that wear on the roof fabric is different to covering bird droppings or UV lightening. But that probably looks like the only alternative I guess.Expensive version
http://www.jmldirect.com/uk/doktor-power/doktor-po...
plenty of much cheaper version out there
http://www.jmldirect.com/uk/doktor-power/doktor-po...
plenty of much cheaper version out there
kensilver said:
My MY08 has a small number of slightly shiny areas on the roof fabric at the folds.
Will any of the treatments here, or on the other thread, turn those back to black again?
Ken: here's a picture after cleaning and blacking but before reproofing:Will any of the treatments here, or on the other thread, turn those back to black again?
You can still just see the slight shiny patch - but the fold marks have gone as has the texture next to the shiny bit (almost looked mildly abraded (I don't have a 'before' picture).
Then after re-proofing the difference was less and it looked almost but not quite like new:
Realistically I think Renovo doesn't fix the changed texture, but first covers the difference in colour and then restores a more consistent protectivesheen.
I'm no expert (unlike Paddy who clearly IS!) But if I do it again in a couple of years I may gently extra-clean the shiny bit with the brush and cleaning solution in the hope that it soaks in and loosens the weave a bit, But personally I would think very hard before abrading the shiny patches - risk of damaging the fabric feels high.
Edited by NealCS on Thursday 12th March 23:22
NealCS said:
Ken: here's a picture after cleaning and blacking but before reproofing:
You can still just see the slight shiny patch - but the fold marks have gone as has the texture next to the shiny bit (almost looked mildly abraded (I don't have a 'before' picture).
Then after re-proofing the difference was less and it looked almost but not quite like new:...
Good to see pics. That's very close to my wear, so yours is a very good result indeed. I'm impressed enough to give it a go.You can still just see the slight shiny patch - but the fold marks have gone as has the texture next to the shiny bit (almost looked mildly abraded (I don't have a 'before' picture).
Then after re-proofing the difference was less and it looked almost but not quite like new:...
I did my partners Beetle roof with the Renovo product, but also had to re dye it as the roof is beige in colour after deep cleaning it first then re proofed after. Took quite a while with the re dye as well, used a canvas fabric dye about 1/2 litre, got off ebay. Doing a black roof is a lot easier with the re dye. best tip I can give is maintain it regular and watch for birds and tree sap!!
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