Cleaning the hood...
Discussion
I use just warm water and the chamois leather in my routine car cleaning.
but - and before you all start screaming major hell - I have recently cleaned off some form of hood restorer from my car using - carburettor cleaner (before this the hood had a very rough feel and looked as if it had been painted, but now that has been removed and it is starting to return to the right colour and soft feel)
BE CAREFULL though don't get it on the plastic window and remove it from the bodywork asap.
Hope this helps
Andy
but - and before you all start screaming major hell - I have recently cleaned off some form of hood restorer from my car using - carburettor cleaner (before this the hood had a very rough feel and looked as if it had been painted, but now that has been removed and it is starting to return to the right colour and soft feel)
BE CAREFULL though don't get it on the plastic window and remove it from the bodywork asap.
Hope this helps
Andy
Also, once you've cleaned it, remember to give it a good waterproofing afterwards.
When I wash my roof I just use water and a bit of gentle detergent, wi't sponge to help get dirt/cat hair/etc out.
Once it's had that done, however, it's about as waterproof as said sponge. Washed it last week, wondered why the carpets were damp after all last weeks rainy journeys. D'oh... forgot the fabsil.
When I wash my roof I just use water and a bit of gentle detergent, wi't sponge to help get dirt/cat hair/etc out.
Once it's had that done, however, it's about as waterproof as said sponge. Washed it last week, wondered why the carpets were damp after all last weeks rainy journeys. D'oh... forgot the fabsil.
The only part of the hood that should need waterproofing is the stitching around the window - if it still leaks then the seals are at fault not the hood itself - also there is some small movement in the door hinges that improves the window/hood panel fit.
Wet carpets can also be caused by water getting in at the seatbelt mountings at the base and around the wiper motor/mechanism under the bonnet.
My Griffith is 10 years old and the only water getting in is by the above means - I'm just waiting for the weather to improve so that I can fix the underbonnet one!
Andy
Wet carpets can also be caused by water getting in at the seatbelt mountings at the base and around the wiper motor/mechanism under the bonnet.
My Griffith is 10 years old and the only water getting in is by the above means - I'm just waiting for the weather to improve so that I can fix the underbonnet one!
Andy
quote:
andyvg,
Do you (or anyone else) know if the same water ingress points are the same on the Chimaera?
Getting water in the driver side footwell, quite a lot...
Harrigan
>> Edited by q405mb on Saturday 8th June 17:06
Harrigan,
Don't know for sure but I think that the wiper mechanism is in a similar position - its the sealant around the base that moves about and lets the water in - on my griff I'm having to remove and replace that sealant as well as the rivetted section of metal that sits between the bonnet edge and the windscreen.
The other culprit is the brake/clutch reservior and fails in much the same manner - but again I'd have to look at a Chimeara to make sure.
Am I right in thinking you are in Surrey - if so e-mail me separately and you can come and have a look at what I've done.
Andy
On the Chimaera, there is the brake reservoir (sunk into the inner wing) and this needs to be sealed fully. It is known for these to leak. Not totally sure about the windscreen wipers.
All of the stitching could leak, mine is currently leaking from the stitching holding the velcro flaps at the front of the hood.
Alan
All of the stitching could leak, mine is currently leaking from the stitching holding the velcro flaps at the front of the hood.
Alan
If, like us, you have a problem with cat hairs and other stubborn marks on the roof section we've found that those sticky rollers for cleaning clothes work very well. Bought one from LakeLand and you can rejuvenate the roller by washing it.
Even after a shampoo and brush, the roller left the roof section even cleaner.
MC
>> Edited by MajorClanger on Friday 9th August 11:16
Even after a shampoo and brush, the roller left the roof section even cleaner.
MC
>> Edited by MajorClanger on Friday 9th August 11:16
I bought one of those kits not long after I got the Chim. It has done the job really well but because the sealer is a spray, it is an absolute bugger to keep off the body work!! Be as careful as you can when you put it on and if you do get any on the body work, wipe it off ASAP with something like white spirit. Make sure it dries 100% before you take it out in the rain too, otherwise the rain can rinse some of the damp sealer off onto the bodywork and again, leave marks.
Over a year on though and I have had no leaks from the hood at all. If I had my time again I may try something like Thomsons water seal and brush it on.
Chris
Over a year on though and I have had no leaks from the hood at all. If I had my time again I may try something like Thomsons water seal and brush it on.
Chris
quote:
I bought one of those kits not long after I got the Chim. It has done the job really well but because the sealer is a spray, it is an absolute bugger to keep off the body work!! Be as careful as you can when you put it on and if you do get any on the body work, wipe it off ASAP with something like white spirit.
I'll second that. Sprayed the stuff (which works v well, BTW) rather carelessly and had to resort to Colour Magic (polish, not restorer) to shift it.
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