SOFT TOP WASHING ROUTINE

[David Ramsbotham]

I have just been lucky enough to purchase a nice 2000 996 C2 convertible. The last time I had a convertible was around 1970 when I had an Austin Healey Sprite!

With my tin top cars I normally spray them with snow foam, rinse with pressure washer and then dry with microfibre towels. I need advice as to how to proceed with the Porsche convertible - can I just do the same but avoiding getting the soft top wet?

As always advice gratefully received.

[Orangecurry]

You still need to clean it!

If I were you I'd buy the Autoglym Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect twin-pack, and follow the instructions, or if something else is better/cheaper these days, go with the latest.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/...

Once you've properly cleaned it and sealed it, treat it as the rest of the car, depending on if there are any different 'maintain' instructions in the above products.

[tr7v8]

Not a Porsche but our MX5 mohair roof is cleaned either with diluted washing up liquid or if really grubby stained Milton solution or for the really bad bits neat washing up liquid with a nail brush. Once clean its left to dry then gets as many coats of Fabsil Gold with a paint brush as we can do in a day, let it dry between coats. We typically get 5 coats on in a day. Then it get recoated when water stops beading on it. Avoiding getting fabsil on the paint if possible although it doesn't cause damage & wipes off.

[DC1960]

David Ramsbotham said:

I have just been lucky enough to purchase a nice 2000 996 C2 convertible. The last time I had a convertible was around 1970 when I had an Austin Healey Sprite!

With my tin top cars I normally spray them with snow foam, rinse with pressure washer and then dry with microfibre towels. I need advice as to how to proceed with the Porsche convertible - can I just do the same but avoiding getting the soft top wet?

As always advice gratefully received.

All of my convertibles I have washed as above. However, they were modern so never leaked or had the risk of fraying. Pressure washer - yes - just not too close. They get wet in the rain and a battering in storm, but still hold up so washing is nothing. I think the integrity of the 996 top is the key to how you wash.

[TrotCanterGallopCharge]

tr7v8 said:

Not a Porsche but our MX5 mohair roof is cleaned either with diluted washing up liquid or if really grubby stained Milton solution or for the really bad bits neat washing up liquid with a nail brush. Once clean its left to dry then gets as many coats of Fabsil Gold with a paint brush as we can do in a day, let it dry between coats. We typically get 5 coats on in a day. Then it get recoated when water stops beading on it. Avoiding getting fabsil on the paint if possible although it doesn't cause damage & wipes off.

Whilst previously reading up about soft top cleaning & waterproofing, a poster said Fabsil shouldn't be used for Porsches as it contracts when drying. There was a less harsh product Porsche recommended. Fabsil themselves don't recommend detergents to clean, probably as any remaining detergent won't allow the waterproofing agent to stick.

On an MG fabric roof, after a couple of coats, I end up doing another coat after about a year, as it stops beading, not had any actual water ingress though.

[Belle427]

Autoglym or Renovo, both are good.

[tr7v8]

TrotCanterGallopCharge said:

tr7v8 said:

Not a Porsche but our MX5 mohair roof is cleaned either with diluted washing up liquid or if really grubby stained Milton solution or for the really bad bits neat washing up liquid with a nail brush. Once clean its left to dry then gets as many coats of Fabsil Gold with a paint brush as we can do in a day, let it dry between coats. We typically get 5 coats on in a day. Then it get recoated when water stops beading on it. Avoiding getting fabsil on the paint if possible although it doesn't cause damage & wipes off.

Whilst previously reading up about soft top cleaning & waterproofing, a poster said Fabsil shouldn't be used for Porsches as it contracts when drying. There was a less harsh product Porsche recommended. Fabsil themselves don't recommend detergents to clean, probably as any remaining detergent won't allow the waterproofing agent to stick.

On an MG fabric roof, after a couple of coats, I end up doing another coat after about a year, as it stops beading, not had any actual water ingress though.

Obviously if you use detergent then you rinse it off afterwards, if it isn't clean enough then the Fabsil won't take. Fabsil make a cleaner but never used it, for the mega dirty you need something more aggressive. For mild dirty then just a quick scrub over with Mitons or even dilute washing up liquid is enough. As for contracting ??? What, it's never affected the few rooves I have done, never heard of anyone having a problem with it having recommended it for 10 years plus.

[The Gauge]

I've just cleaned and reproofed the roof of our convertible using Renovo products.

I used their cleaning product to clean the roof, poured some into a container and applied with a paint brush. Roof needs to be wet first. Then when it was dry a day or two later I applied their re-proofing product, applied to a dry roof again by decanting into a container and applying with a pint brush. I just gave it one coat as when I tried a 2nd coat after the first had dried, it just beaded and wouldn't soak in. Obviously the first coat did the job. I only used about a third of the tub..

[348jeff]

I've just bought some Renevo but a bit reluctant to use it in case it alters the feel of the material. Is it just staining it in effect or does it stiffen it up in any way?