Looking after the Chimaera roof?

[FreeLitres]

What is the best way to look after the roof of a Chimaera?

I am trying to avoid getting car shampoo on it when I clean the car as it is not easy to dry the roof and I dont want residue to be left behind. Should I coat the roof with some kind of sealant or water proofing solution? If so, what should I use and how often?

Also, what should I use to clean and condition the rear plastic screen? Is there any way to polish out minor scratches?

Thanks

[V8 GRF]

FreeLitres said:

What is the best way to look after the roof of a Chimaera?

I am trying to avoid getting car shampoo on it when I clean the car as it is not easy to dry the roof and I dont want residue to be left behind. Should I coat the roof with some kind of sealant or water proofing solution? If so, what should I use and how often?

Also, what should I use to clean and condition the rear plastic screen? Is there any way to polish out minor scratches?

Thanks

I'd suggest you use one of the Autoglym convertible roof kits that has a shampoo and a sealant. You'll have to be patient to get all the foam out of the cenre panel but it does a good job. Then use the sealant.
After use rain will 'bead' on the surface and when that beading reduces then use the product again.

Once the Autoglym product has run out I'd recommend buying Fabsil (brush on type) as it seems to last longer.

With regards to the rear screen I regularily use a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant that keeps the window clear and supple. If it has some more serious marks I use a product called 'Hindsight' that is a two pack process that takes some time but works well for me, other people recommend Renovo.

HTH

[pikey]

Fabsil

[.Mark]

Kwacker said:

Roof? Do they come with a roof? I'll have to look in the boot.

You bugger, you beat me to it!

I just wash mine with the car shampoo, never had any problems at all. I used to Fabsil it when it lives outside but no need now.

[Kwacker]

Roof? Do they come with a roof? I'll have to look in the boot.

Edited to add:

Yep, found it in there in pristine condition.

Kwacker

Edited by Kwacker on Wednesday 28th July 09:49

Further edited to add

Only joking, When I wash mine I avoid using soap/shampoo on the roof and just gently use a pressure washer to shift any dirt. Then leave it to dry. In 12 years I have only have to treat the roof once with Renovo, and it still looks pretty good, the stitching is starting to suffer though. Anyone know where I can get some thread to do some diy repairs?

Edited by Kwacker on Wednesday 28th July 09:53

[V8 GRF]

Kwacker said:

Anyone know where I can get some thread to do some diy repairs?

Most of the 'handicraft' shops sell waxed cotten thread, you'll need an awl as well. I got one of the automatic ones off ebay for about a £10. (They sell the thread there as well if you're too embarassed to stand next to the old ladies in the craft shop )

[Johno]

1 Cleaning

2 Water repellancy

For the rear screen, but also any of your rubber, silicone or engine bay work . .

3 Rear screen

1 - Dilute down according to level of dirt. Yesterday I cleaned a Chimaera roof that had 8yrs of 'just' decent car shampoo's and used it at 1/8th dilution in a another spray bottle. Soak the roof in it and then using a stiff bristle brush work the 303 in over the roof as it foams. Work on area no more than 2ft sq at a time. Once you're happy with it, move on to the next area. Be careful round the rear screen.

For really stubborn stains use 303 neat with the bruch. Then with a hose set on shower, soak the roof to ensure it's fully out of the fabric, you want sheets of water, not jets. Then I'd wash the car as normal with decent shampoo and rinse off again.

2 - Let the roof dry overnight and then apply the repellent. Follow the instructions and I usually try to give 2 or 3 coats, making sure they dry between.

3 - Follow the instructions and use a good quality MF cloth, nothing that will make any scratches as you wipe it on and off.

If you need to revive the colour, then I've not found anything better than Renovo to be honest . . .

[900T-R]

My roof is also in the boot mostly, but far from in pristine condition as it needs to get on when I park it up and back off before I go for a drive, and I can't be bothered to make the procedure that much more long-winded and awkward by trying to put it in the roof bag on my own.

As a result, by now it has nearly or fully worn through on parts of front and rear leading edges (the rear is tucked under the soft section anyway when up, but the front end is exposed).
Also the stitching on one side of the soft part is disintegrating.

What next - recover with a harder-wearing material or try to postpone replacement as long as possible as the new roof would only go the same way pretty quickly if I don't bag it up?

[scotty_d]

V8 GRF said:

FreeLitres said:

What is the best way to look after the roof of a Chimaera?

I am trying to avoid getting car shampoo on it when I clean the car as it is not easy to dry the roof and I dont want residue to be left behind. Should I coat the roof with some kind of sealant or water proofing solution? If so, what should I use and how often?

Also, what should I use to clean and condition the rear plastic screen? Is there any way to polish out minor scratches?

Thanks

I'd suggest you use one of the Autoglym convertible roof kits that has a shampoo and a sealant. You'll have to be patient to get all the foam out of the cenre panel but it does a good job. Then use the sealant.
After use rain will 'bead' on the surface and when that beading reduces then use the product again.

Once the Autoglym product has run out I'd recommend buying Fabsil (brush on type) as it seems to last longer.

With regards to the rear screen I regularily use a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant that keeps the window clear and supple. If it has some more serious marks I use a product called 'Hindsight' that is a two pack process that takes some time but works well for me, other people recommend Renovo.

HTH

Yup i use both autoglym kit find it very good and use fabsil too also good.

As for the rear screen i use the stuff that i use to clean my safty specs at work works a treat and i get it for free stops it fogging up to

[FreeLitres]

Thanks for all the comments!

Looks like I am going shopping again! :S

[Don]

[redacted]

[Don]

Oh: for the Chim plastic rear screen I get a special polish. Normally you should just wipe it over inside and out with a damp cloth: if it gets scratched, though, you need to polish that out. It worked quite well and kept the old plastic window going for about ten years. Finally we did need to replace it as it started to split...but you could still see out!

[Grey Ghost]

FreeLitres said:

Thanks for all the comments!

Looks like I am going shopping again! :S

Have a look in Halfrauds. There is another thread running somewhere on PH where the OP advises that Halfrauds are doing a BOGOF offer on cleaning stuff (including Autoglym products) until next Sunday

[FreeLitres]

Thanks for everyones suggestions:

I am in the process of buying my products now.

I have so far selected the 303 Convertable cleaner, Fabric guard and Aerospace product (rear screen).

I have also just seen the Meguiars "PlastX" product which removes scratches from hard or soft plastics.

Has anyone used this before on the rear plastic screen? I am thinking that I could use this to remove scratches, then apply the 303 to maintain suppleness.

Any experiences of this product?
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/...

Edited by FreeLitres on Monday 30th August 08:57

[Johno]

Plastx is good, you can use normal polish if you want, but I've used Platx and do think it's a quality product. Not surprising as it's a Meg's polish

[FreeLitres]

Johno said:

Plastx is good, you can use normal polish if you want, but I've used Platx and do think it's a quality product. Not surprising as it's a Meg's polish

Thanks Johno,

I decided to add the Plastx to the order, so I shall get my goodies shortly!

I'm looking forward to trying the 303 Aerospace stuff, as I have seen some YouTube clips showing that it can also clean up a plastic engine cover a treat! (Needed for my other car)