Condensation inside soft top cars

[A900ss]

This is my first winter with a soft top and I'm getting quite a lot of condensation inside, mostly on the plastic rear screen.

Do all soft tops suffer from this or is there a possible damp problem inside the car.

The car is not garaged but does have a 'half cover' covering the roof and windows.

Thanks.

[Blue Oval84]

Was never an issue on my Z4.

Perhaps check for leaks and maybe put some dehumidifying sachets on the floor for a few days?

That said, I had a lot of condensation inside my Mondeo the other day during the freezing fog so it can happen to any car!

[miniman]

Try some of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131046966969?ssPageName=...

[DocArbathnot]

Fairly rare for me, my elderly SL lives outside.

The moisture is coming from somewhere so maybe damp or moisture from you (breath wet coat etc)
Check for any sign of damp (often smells a bit musty) Take the car for a good run with heater on to dry it out and see if it reappears. I know some people use silica gel type stuff.

Is your cover doing more harm than good? Do you really need it? I reproofed my hood before the winter and lubed all the seals with gummi pledge (best silicon treatment I've come across) I prefer to let air circulate around my car. So best is well ventilated garage (too small) second best carport (don't have one maybe build one in the summer) and 3rd best maintenance and fresh air.

[muckymotor]

I had an mx5 that was terrible for it but the z4 is fine.

[Speed addicted]

Your half cover may be stopping the air circulation that would allow it to dry out.

You may also have a problem with water getting in but at this time of year you tend to be tracking quite a lot of rain in yourself.
The wifes A4 cab tends to get quite misty because she only does short journeys and the interior won't have time to dry out properly.

[The Tea Boy]

miniman said:

Try some of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131046966969?ssPageName=...

when i had my mk1 mx5, it was due to a blocked rain channel on the car.

Instead of that from ebay, grab a pair of the Mrs's tights and fill with cat litter and will only cost you about £5 tops, leave it on the dash over night job jobbed!

Matt

[matt21]

I had this, treated the roof to Autogylm soft top roof protector and issue went away,

[J4CKO]

The Tea Boy said:

miniman said:

Try some of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131046966969?ssPageName=...

when i had my mk1 mx5, it was due to a blocked rain channel on the car.

Instead of that from ebay, grab a pair of the Mrs's tights and fill with cat litter and will only cost you about £5 tops, leave it on the dash over night job jobbed!

Matt

Trouble is, you have to explain why you are filling ladies hosiery with feline sanitary product and keeping it in your car.

The bags are great.

[MG CHRIS]

As above if it's a mx5 it's normally blocked roof drains that allowing water to enter the cabin even though mine is dry inside it will mist up being a single skinned roof is not ideal to. But the heaters are so good on them then it's demistes very quickly.

[A900ss]

It's a TVR and I have discovered wet carpets in the drivers footwell.

The TVR forum has given me a few likely suspects so I'm out with the sealant tomorrow.

Thanks.

[RichB]

A900ss said:

It's a TVR and I have discovered wet carpets in the drivers footwell.

Clutch fluid reservoir cover not sealed properly.

[A900ss]

RichB said:

A900ss said:

It's a TVR and I have discovered wet carpets in the drivers footwell.

Clutch fluid reservoir cover not sealed properly.

That s the first thing I'll be looking at....

[RichB]

And get some Fabsil tent proofer and paint the hood. Buy the liquid not the aerosol and paint it on with a paint brush. It won't damage the paint just wipe it off with a cloth. Works perfectly.

[A900ss]

Already ahead of you there but bought the Augoglym equivalent.