Soft top care?

[AlexGSi2000]

Morning,

I'm hoping a few of you can make some recommendations on the cleaning / care of the soft top on my recently purchased old Z3.

Whilst I've been claying, polishing and waxing bodywork for years, I've never owned a rag top before - so I've absolutely no idea about the care.

The current condition of the rag top I would say is "flat" - it was originally red, but has faded to a lighter shade somewhat - doesn't appear to be water resistant, so when it rains or the car is washed, the water doesn't bead / run off - it seems to soak in.

So far up to now, I've just been washing it the same way I do the bodywork, but would be grateful for any advice.

Many thanks.

[Stick Legs]

I should be more mature than this, but I’m not.

[Huzzah]

I stick to renevo products.


Cleaner
Reviver/stain
Proofer

Follow the instructions and you won't go far wrong. I use a small sponge rather than a brush for the
Proofer, its easier to work in.

Day to day, vacuum, stiff brush and cover in winter.

[davek_964]

+1 on Renovo.

I completely neglect mine - and only bother when it's mostly turned green. Renovo sorts it out and turns it black again without too much effort.

[Crudeoink]

Huzzah said:

I stick to renevo products.


Cleaner
Reviver/stain
Proofer

Follow the instructions and you won't go far wrong. I use a small sponge rather than a brush for the
Proofer, its easier to work in.

Day to day, vacuum, stiff brush and cover in winter.

Pretty much this. I'd add to say get a nail brush and if you have a wet vac it will help.
Warm water and work in the detergent / scrub the roof with the nail brush, it takes a while, around 45 -60 mins to do the roof properly. I work in A4 sized sections. Some detergents you can leave to do their work for a few hours, some need to be rinsed off after scrubbing, just read the bottle instructions.

Once you've scrubbed the whole hood, rinse the roof with clean water and let dry, this can be sped up significantly with a wet vac if you have one. If the roof is really faded you might need to re-dye the roof at this point, just read the instructions but its essential the roof is spotlessly clean before you do this.

Once the roof is clean and / or re-dyed you can proof it. I like to use a small foam pad or a clean paint brush and work in the proofing agent. Renovo or Fabsil Gold work well in my experience! Work in small sections and keep a 'wet edge' as you work the proofer in to the fabric. You need to be doing this in somewhere with cover or be certain it wont rain while the proofer is curing (can take 12hrs depending on temps) as rain will wash it away if its not cured properly

[thetapeworm]

Another vote for Renovo and the processes outlined above, mine's a vinyl roof though, I've never had fabric / mohair etc

[AlexGSi2000]

Many thanks for the advice, on the Renovo website now.

[The Gauge]

I used Renovo on the roof of my wifes Mercedes CLK240 a couple of years ago..

I first ceaned the roof by brushing it with a Vikan fabric brush, then hoovered it to get any dust etc off, then applied the Renovo cleaner/shampoo and brushed it in using a wide paintbrush before rinsing off with the hosepipe.

The following day I brushed and hoovered the roof again, poured some of the reproofer into a tub and using a paintbrush I applied it from the centre of the roof working out to one edge with strokes going the length of the roof. The product soaked into he fabric of the roof. I made sure the sun wasn't on the roof as it could dry it out too quick. Once at the edge I went to other other side of the car and repeated the technique working from the centre outwards, then I went around all the edges of the roof and into the seem/gutter along the sides. The instructions suggest moving along the roof whilst the previously applied area is still wet.

The instructions said to wait at least 3hrs before applying a 2nd coat, but when that time came I found trying to apply more to be impossible as the product beaded straight away and couldn't be brushed into the roof, so I stopped.

In total I used very little of the shampoo and maybe a third of the reproofing product.

[Huzzah]

The Gauge said:

instructions said to wait at least 3hrs before applying a 2nd coat, but when that time came I found trying to apply more to be impossible as the product beaded straight away and couldn't be brushed into the roof, so I stopped.

For this reason I use a sponge, you can really work that second coat in.

[The Gauge]

Huzzah said:

For this reason I use a sponge, you can really work that second coat in.

I'll give that a try, thanks. I intend to reproof the roof again this year.

[Panamax]

I've had convertibles for decades. In summary, gentle is good.

[M138]

I use Renovo colour restorer but it can make a mohair hood a bit crispy imho.
If your hood is turning grey because of fading using it will be a great improvement but I would avoid if there’s only a slight fade.
Also be careful with it if you’re re-dying a black roof and inside the roof is a light colour as the Renovo can bleed through like it did on a Stag I owned.