Just cant get rid of the green on the soft top - algae

[Ken Figenus]

Its been treated about 6 times with Renovo soft top cleaner anticipating putting the Renovo proofer on it, but its still quite green on the seams. Cant hammer the stitching with a pressure washer too much and have tried pretty hot water and leaving it in the sun etc.

Does anyone have any tips/advice pls?

Thanks

[threespires]

I have the same problem and hope you get some tips.

[alorotom]

I’ve used the AutoGlym soft top cleaner kit and their sponge with great success over the years on several cars with varying states of mistreatment.

It’s a fair bit of elbow grease and takes a lot of water to rinse (at normal tap pressure only) but then once reproofed with their finishing spray beads up well and keeps the algae away for a good while:

[The rapid detailer]

The best stuff are use is Autosmart. G101 and a scrubbing brush. With the right dilution I.e no stronger than 50-50 and work in small areas at a time and rinsing off thoroughly including the whole car I’ve never had any issues with streaking, staining or loss of colour. When the roof is completely dry I then use Gtechniq Smart fabric i1. A smart fabric gives the roof a deeper colour when applied too.

[illmonkey]

alorotom said:

I’ve used the AutoGlym soft top cleaner kit and their sponge with great success over the years on several cars with varying states of mistreatment.

It’s a fair bit of elbow grease and takes a lot of water to rinse (at normal tap pressure only) but then once reproofed with their finishing spray beads up well and keeps the algae away for a good while:

+1 to this. Done mine at the weekend. Wasn't that bad but it got rid of a line around the base of it.

[NMNeil]

A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide kills algae.
https://www.reefjar.com/how-to-kill-algae-with-h20...

[droopsnoot]

I've tried loads of stuff on my TT, including the Autoglym kit, Milton sterilising tablets, another generic hood cleaner, all sorts. The biggest trouble I get is that it looks OK while it's wet, but when it dries, all the stains are back.

Someone on another thread a week or two back recommended CIF Mould Stain remover, I bought some and it's done more to clean mine than any of the other products. It hasn't made it perfect, but I think another application or two might get it clean enough for me to actually put some sealant on it. In the sections I've done (I do a small area at a time) it is noticeably cleaner.

I found it at Wilkos for £4 a spray, but then found it in Poundland for £2 for the same size spray. So I have stockpiled that. Only trouble is, the weather is a bit too sunny to stick it on - I think it'll dry before it does its work. You are supposed to put it on, leave it 15 minutes, then wash it off. I've been using a nail brush during the wash-off to get more off. Worth a go, for the money.

[loskie]

I used to use a weak solution of laundry liquid and a stiff brush on my MX5 soft top with good results

[drmike37]

I tried using Muc-Off on mine. seems to have worked reasonably well.

[V10Mike]

Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC), available on Ebay, kills algae better than anything else. Also excellent for moss and algae on driveways!

[elanfan]

Sodium sulphate in powdered form, mix with water watering can. Next day it’ll be black. It’s what they use to kill algae moss in your lawn.

[Ken Figenus]

Terrified of strong remedies on a black hood and getting white patches like many a splash on ruined trousers from bleaching the toilet!

Its had about 6 Renovo cleans and now we have just proofed it twice with Renovo - this took a month given the weather!

Will try some other product next time - thanks for all the tips!

[droopsnoot]

I've been worried about that too - most of them say "test on an unobtrusive area first". I've had no trouble on my TT hood with the Cif mould remover, done a bit more on it today. it's taking a bit of shifting, but it does look better.

[selym]

Thanks for all the tips! My wife's Mini roof is quite grimy but working the mould spots with renovo or autoglym using a toothbrush was not enough.

[C. Grimsley]

Hot pressure washer and multi purpose cleaner has worked for me for years, roof still looks new.

Carl