Boxster 981 rooftop cleaning advice

[Boxster_racer]

Hello fellow PHs !
My soft top could do with some cleaning and a google search is giving me some conflicting info on how to go about it.
Do you have any recommendation on:
1) Cleaning method
2) Product (e.g.: rooftop cleaning kit *);
3) Tooling (e.g.: hard brush**)?

Thanks !

Autoglym AG 255003 Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect Complete Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WIF4NI/ref=cm_sw_r...

Vikan Brush Heavy Duty Nail Upholstery Convertible Soft Top Fabric Carpet Detail https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004JVTF0M/ref=cm_sw_r...

[JensonBGTS]

My BGTS lives outside under trees and despite regular washing I'd always get a sort of green mouldy looking stain appear around the edges of the fabric. I use Meguiars car shampoo and detailing spray found their products effective so bought Meguiars soft top cleaner. It's simple to use wash car spray on cleaner and lightly brush, rinse and rewash to ensure removal of cleaner product the fabric will look as new.
Cheers

[mr pg]

I had great results using Renovo roof cleaner/protector. Think I applied it with a paint brush.

[AW10]

Assuming it's dry I hoover mine first with the brush attachment to get dust and grit out of the fabric.

[Rockster]

My 2002 Boxster soft top lasted 14+ years parked mostly outside in the elements.

All I did was once in a while at the car wash was I used the rinse water setting to thoroughly rinse the top. I followed this with the no spot rinse water.

I didn't get the nozzle too close to the canvas. Really it is best to just let the water fall on the roof/canvas and find its own way off the car.

I never treated the top with anything. The canvas is not there to keep the water out of the car that is the job of the rubber sheet underneath the canvas. The canvas is there to protect the rubber sheet.

It is best the canvas fabric remain open to some extent so water that falls on the top can run off the top and dry. If water gets trapped between the sheet and canvas mold/mildew can grow and this will cause the rubber to degrade. A sign the rubber is degraded will the canvas is not smooth. This is the rubber sheet blistering.

Be sure if any bird mess gets on the top (or the car) you rinse it off with plain water ASAP. Bird mess is acidic and it will leak through the canvas and attack the rubber. It is not good for the paint (clear coat) either.

While not top related just a heads up: Be sure the body water drains -- front and back -- are kept clear so any water drains straight down to the ground. If the drain gets plugged water backs up and flows into the cabin and the car's security module is located on the cabin floor under one of the seats. It is very much at risk of damage if any water gets into the cabin.

[brickwall]

Rockster said:

While not top related just a heads up: Be sure the body water drains -- front and back -- are kept clear so any water drains straight down to the ground. If the drain gets plugged water backs up and flows into the cabin and the car's security module is located on the cabin floor under one of the seats. It is very much at risk of damage if any water gets into the cabin.

+1

I had blocked drains, and a heavy downpour caused leakage into the cabin. The rear control unit (under the passenger seat) was sitting in an inch of water...all in about £1,000 to sort.

[JonChalk]

Boxster_racer said:

Autoglym AG 255003 Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect Complete Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WIF4NI/ref=cm_sw_r...

Vikan Brush Heavy Duty Nail Upholstery Convertible Soft Top Fabric Carpet Detail https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004JVTF0M/ref=cm_sw_r...

Other options available, but used both those (and nothing else) for my TT Roadsters for 5+ years of permanent outside storage.

You won't go wrong with them.

[hollydog]

keep it simple.

1001 carpet cleaner detergent. Hot water and soft ish brush. Fabseal when dry.