Best means of washing / protecting a soft top

[2750HP]

Hello: i recently bought a 2016 E220d convertible. When i wash the car what should i use if anything to clean the soft top? Secondly, what is a good product to protect and keep smart the fabric soft top?

Thanks and regards
Steve

 

[Blobcat]

Autoglym do a kit which I use on my Smart @Wighty uses Milton sterilising solution to clean it then a waterproofer

 

[Wighty]

Yep , I brush the roof to get the dust off ,then if there is any green marks I use Milton baby bottle cleaning tablets in some water to coat the roof
Then rinse with water and wash with Johnson’s baby shampoo and scrub with a soft bristled brush .
I waterproof using a clear tent waterproofer , Grangers/Fabsil .I buy the 2.5L tubs as they are cheap .
Other than that Renovo make good products for soft tops as do Autoglym

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[s5tuart]

I used Fabsil on my TVRs and Lotus Elan with no problems.

 

[Chrishazle]

I used the Renovo products on my 968 cabriolet (navy blue roof) when I first got it. First the shampoo using their scrubbing brush, took a long time with the hose before what was coming off was suds free, but worth it. Next was colourant - this is VERY thin and gets everywhere, so masking up well is necessary, as is having a cloth to hand for the inevitable runs onto bodywork, it's easy to get off when still wet bit a PITA once dry (ask me how I know!!). After that, first do NOT fold the roof for at least 24 hours or you'll get white crease marks. Then waterproofer. Took a few days, but lasted really well. After about 3 years (before a long EU trip) I used a 1/2 can of Fabsil I happened to have in stock, gave it a soap wash about 3 years later and then waterproofer, still looked OK when I PX'd the car after 8 1/2 years ownership. The car was mainly a garaged dry weekend toy not a DD, but did occasionally get wet - never had a water leak. Made sure I Gummipflege'd all the roof seals twice a year.

Seen this question asked many times on all 4 car forums I frequent, same answers every time - namely Autoglym or Renovo, Milton, Johnsons baby shampoo, Fabsil, all get good reports.

 

[harrye500]

All above is good advice. The Autoglym kits are good but pricey, and really no better than the recommendations above of baby shampoo, Milton solution and Fabsil for proofing.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Reproofed convertible hood | Detailing

Hi Just cleaned and reproofed the hood on the A209. On purchase there was some minor green algae visible in some of the “channels” and seams, so I initially gave it a gentle wash with warm water and a mild wool detergent and a soft bristle scrub brush. Rinsed with a Milton solution to kill any...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Dale Stevens]

I have re-proofed the roof of our CLK240 today, having cleaned it a few days ago. I had noticed that the roof had been absorbing and holding water when wet, instead of beading off.

I used Renovo products for cleaning and reproofing, quite an easy and enjoyable job. To clean I first brushed the roof 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.

Today 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 and 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 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.






Water beading after products applied..

 

[davidwilson]

+1 vote for the Renovo stuff - cleaner, proofer and (if it's REALY horrid) renovator