Soft top Cleaning & Maintenance

[arthurk]

Hi all,

Thinking of taking the hardtop off my SL320 soon and although I have just bought the car and its in mint condition, I do want to make sure the hood is well maintained.
From advice in previous threads I contacted several Scottish MB dealers to try and buy the MB softtop cleaner. (Malcolm you recomended this) None of them sell this now.

Renovo sell kits from £58 to £75. John Weir (Grangemouth dealer) gave me the number of a local guy (Alloa) who can apply a "Super Guard" Kit. Cleaning and waterproofing the hood. Can come to the house, however the treatment needs 18hrs to dry.(You don't get 18hrs with no rain in central Scotland ) Total cost for this,all in, is £60. This includeds them doing it for you. They leave the balance of the kit for you to use.

For a busy family man like myself , I thought this sounded quite a good deal!

Anyone any experience or heard of superguard? Any thoughts?

Cheers
Kenny

 

[television]

I think that a few members will come on with their views Arthur as to what they are using now.
I just did a Google search and there are several out there.

 

[dava]

Can I put my thoughts on this? In the past I've had rag tops and seen all the products for cleaning them ect. I used normal soapy water to wash it and any stubburn bits something a bit stronger, hosed off then allowed to dry. Probably the next day and I left it in the garage to ensure it was dry used tent fabric, yes tent protector from any camping store, about £5 per spray tin and it took about 2 tins. I masked the car off, only using towels etc to prevent overspray onto screen etc and allowed to dry. Worked a treat for me and I know loads who still use this method. Or you could try this:
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=55&page=2

 

[television]

Can I put my thoughts on this? In the past I've had rag tops and seen all the products for cleaning them ect. I used normal soapy water to wash it and any stubburn bits something a bit stronger, hosed off then allowed to dry. Probably the next day and I left it in the garage to ensure it was dry used tent fabric, yes tent protector from any camping store, about £5 per spray tin and it took about 2 tins. I masked the car off, only using towels etc to prevent overspray onto screen etc and allowed to dry. Worked a treat for me and I know loads who still use this method.

So true, its all in the name, and the water froofer is no more than a tent product.

Reminds me of an Electrolux fridge for a caravan £198 same one for a boat £498

 

[arthurk]

All,

Took the hard top off on Wednesday, so had more time to look closely at the softop. Overall it seems in really good condition, however I have noticed that there is a tiny crease mark on the rear quarter plastic window.

I have just ordered "Hindsight". I do not want to have to pay for new rear qtr windows so I'll give them the hindsight treatment and see how it goes. I realise that I'll have to be careful when raising and lowering the roof with this tiny crease. Might even heat the plastic with a hair dryer if I think its too cold before lowering the roof. (That'll be a sight! Who said it was a hair dressers motor!)

Having read the various threads I have also purchsed a Renovo kit for the softtop. (cleaner, restorer and waterproofer)

Currently waiting for all this to arrive, so I can get started.

Wondering if there is anything else I can do for the tiny crease in the rear plastic window, to prolong the life.

Cheers
Kenny

 

[television]

All,

Took the hard top off on Wednesday, so had more time to look closely at the softop. Overall it seems in really good condition, however I have noticed that there is a tiny crease mark on the rear quarter plastic window.

I have just ordered "Hindsight". I do not want to have to pay for new rear qtr windows so I'll give them the hindsight treatment and see how it goes. I realise that I'll have to be careful when raising and lowering the roof with this tiny crease. Might even heat the plastic with a hair dryer if I think its too cold before lowering the roof. (That'll be a sight! Who said it was a hair dressers motor!)

Having read the various threads I have also purchsed a Renovo kit for the softtop. (cleaner, restorer and waterproofer)

Currently waiting for all this to arrive, so I can get started.

Wondering if there is anything else I can do for the tiny crease in the rear plastic window, to prolong the life.

Cheers
Kenny

Once the widows have been in the sun, the creases will become less, remember the top should not be operated in the cold weather

 

[arthurk]

Malcolm,

11 - 12 degrees here today and Sunny. Dying to get the hood down and go for a wee run with my two boys. I am going to put a little bit more heat into it with the Hair Dryer before I drop the top. Hope its ok!

Cheers
Kenny

 

[television]

Malcolm,

11 - 12 degrees here today and Sunny. Dying to get the hood down and go for a wee run with my two boys. I am going to put a little bit more heat into it with the Hair Dryer before I drop the top. Hope its ok!

Cheers
Kenny

Keep the hair drier moving never stationery and enjoy your drive.

 

[w124nut]

I can endorse "Dava's" use of tent waterproofing spray. I purchase mine from Halfords.

Before I wash the soft top of my cabriolet, I use a soft brush extension from my vacuum cleaner to remove the dust etc. Then I wash the top with soapy water (not fairy liquid) to remove stubborn dirt. After rinsing thoroughly and letting most of the wet evaporate, I apply the waterproofing spray as it is recommend that they are applied when the fabric is damp. Just read the label. This exercise is carried out just once a year.

 

[Myros]

I use the Autoglym Cabrio cleaner kit

but it sounds pretty much the same as the other proprietary products mentioned. Do mask the body work off when you use the waterproofer, it's a b*gger to get off if you overspray.
I use the Hindsight at the start and end of the season. It is the bees knees for softening and clearing the perspex.

 

[rajinder_1]

renovo are really dood, i used it on my top, i had a blue hood and it was so faded it looked like denim, used renovo it looks like new, you also get the window cleaner as well....
takes a while to do the whole lot make sure you do on a sunny day to help the drying times

Raj

 

[television]

renovo are really dood, i used it on my top, i had a blue hood and it was so faded it looked like denim, used renovo it looks like new, you also get the window cleaner as well....
takes a while to do the whole lot make sure you do on a sunny day to help the drying times

Raj

Mothers widow polish is first class.

http://www.performancemotorcare.com...ish&fl=14243&gclid=CPeJvf-6nYsCFRssVAodGDowWQ

 

[citroennut]

hi,
i use fabsil for the saab roof, waterproofs coats, tents, car roofs and anything else that needs silicon proofing. cars gets washed with johnsons shampoo, if it's good enough for babies heads it's good enough for my car!
simon