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Autoglym convertible soft top cleaner

Rich764089

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Has anyone used this and, if so, is it any good?!

I'm very paranoid about damaging my soft top roof; can anyone confirm this is "safe" for all types of soft top please?!

Thanks!
 
Can't help with Autoglym, but used Gtechniq on my F type's roof which I was very pleased with. Renovo also gets really good reviews.
If any gets on the paintwork remove immediately. I had one small spot which was un-noticed & it dried to a clear hard lump which I could not get rid of, but unless you knew it was there you would never see it
 
use this link

roof waterproofer

I use this every 4-5 years on my mk1 golf roof, give it a good clean with car shampoo first, let it dry and then brush this stuff on, let it dry and the water beads like on wax.be carefully not to get on paintwork.


I have used the autoglym fabric hood cleaner in the past, its ok, not blown away by it.
 
Excellent, thank you both, very helpful.
 
Renovo gets excellent reviews so think I'll get that. Presumably there's no chance of it fading my black soft top?
 
Renovo gets excellent reviews so think I'll get that. Presumably there's no chance of it fading my black soft top?
I have used the Autoglym , it’s good but expensive. I have used Renovo black paint and proofer and cleaner , that’s all good stuff .
I use the Grangers Gold waterproofer (might be Nikwax ?? But it’s too wet to go to the garage to check ? Which I buy in 2.5L tins and lasts for a while .
Ive been proofing my CLK roof for 10+ years now
 
Cleaner or sealant?

Cleaner should be fine on the paintwork - usually All Purpose Cleaner or Fabric Cleaner works well. Get yourself a brush which is suitable for soft tops or fabric and gently agitate your choice of cleaner in small circular motions. Don’t push the brush into the fabric, just gentle pressure is all that is needed - let the bristles and cleaner do the work. Keep pressure washers well away from the hood - they can cause micro tears which cannot be fixed.

Before sealing make sure that the hood is dry. Ideally use a wet vacuum and keep indoors to dry as much as possible. Also make sure that you use bodyshop style sheets to cover the bodywork and mask the edges. Once sealed, let it it dry fully before getting it wet, so a second night indoors would be ideal.

Mine was treated with Gyeon All Purpose Cleaner and Gyeon Fabric Coat last time.
 
Renovo roof cleaning system is 3 products - shampoo, colourant (if required) and water proofer. The shampoo is applied with a stiff sponge, left to soak, you then hose it off - you'll be surprised how long it takes before there's no suds in the water coming off!

The colourant is thinner than water, so you need to mask off bodywork and drainage channels and use it carefully. If any gets on the bodywork wipe it off immediately with a soft cloth, it's a pig to get off once it's dry. Also do not fold the hood for at least 24 hours after applying or you'll get white crease marks.

The waterproofer is easy to apply, again you have to leave it to dry.

If the hood does not need recolouring, a cheaper option for waterproofing is stuff from a camping shop for doing tents - Fabsil Gold.

I used all of the above on my 968 cab, all 3 when I first bought it (hence the "ask me how I know" comments!) and it came up like new and lasted that way (although reproofed every couple of years) for about 5-6 years!

I believe the Autoglym stuff is similar, although I've not used it. Renovo and Autoglym are the 2 brands that invariably get good reports when your question has baan asked on the 4 car forums I frequent.
 
I have used the Autoglym , it’s good but expensive. I have used Renovo black paint and proofer and cleaner , that’s all good stuff .
I use the Grangers Gold waterproofer (might be Nikwax ?? But it’s too wet to go to the garage to check ? Which I buy in 2.5L tins and lasts for a while .
Ive been proofing my CLK roof for 10+ years now
Awesome, thanks @W1ghty

Yeah it's horrible out, don't blame you 😉
 
Cleaner or sealant?

Cleaner should be fine on the paintwork - usually All Purpose Cleaner or Fabric Cleaner works well. Get yourself a brush which is suitable for soft tops or fabric and gently agitate your choice of cleaner in small circular motions. Don’t push the brush into the fabric, just gentle pressure is all that is needed - let the bristles and cleaner do the work. Keep pressure washers well away from the hood - they can cause micro tears which cannot be fixed.

Before sealing make sure that the hood is dry. Ideally use a wet vacuum and keep indoors to dry as much as possible. Also make sure that you use bodyshop style sheets to cover the bodywork and mask the edges. Once sealed, let it it dry fully before getting it wet, so a second night indoors would be ideal.

Mine was treated with Gyeon All Purpose Cleaner and Gyeon Fabric Coat last time.
Excellent advice, thanks!

So do you just wash off with a sprinkler hose, to avoid the pressure washer?
 
Renovo roof cleaning system is 3 products - shampoo, colourant (if required) and water proofer. The shampoo is applied with a stiff sponge, left to soak, you then hose it off - you'll be surprised how long it takes before there's no suds in the water coming off!

The colourant is thinner than water, so you need to mask off bodywork and drainage channels and use it carefully. If any gets on the bodywork wipe it off immediately with a soft cloth, it's a pig to get off once it's dry. Also do not fold the hood for at least 24 hours after applying or you'll get white crease marks.

The waterproofer is easy to apply, again you have to leave it to dry.

If the hood does not need recolouring, a cheaper option for waterproofing is stuff from a camping shop for doing tents - Fabsil Gold.

I used all of the above on my 968 cab, all 3 when I first bought it (hence the "ask me how I know" comments!) and it came up like new and lasted that way (although reproofed every couple of years) for about 5-6 years!

I believe the Autoglym stuff is similar, although I've not used it. Renovo and Autoglym are the 2 brands that invariably get good reports when your question has baan asked on the 4 car forums I frequent.
More excellent advice! Thanks.

Feeling slightly more confident about it with the expert advice 😁 (my first soft top).
 
Excellent advice, thanks!

So do you just wash off with a sprinkler hose, to avoid the pressure washer?
The reason to avoid a pressure washer is if you mess up and get too close you will leave lines in the roof because they are so powerful .
I don’t even tape stuff up anymore, I just wait for a wind free day , leave a wet/damp microfibre on the side to mop any splash or drips and then crack on with a 3-4 inch cheap brush with the liquid in a used butter or ice cream tub .
I work from the centre of the roofline to the edges . When you get near the edge , start the wet brush a few inches from the edge , if you start at the edge the brush contents because it is wet will end up down the glass rather than being soaked up by the roof lining .
Any green stuff , treat with a Milton baby bottle sterilising tablet in some water first and leave to soak for 10 mins .
You can also use Johnson’s baby shampoo for a gentle roof clean after any Milton tablet.
 
Ive used Renovo on my old boxster excellent stuff
 
The reason to avoid a pressure washer is if you mess up and get too close you will leave lines in the roof because they are so powerful .
I don’t even tape stuff up anymore, I just wait for a wind free day , leave a wet/damp microfibre on the side to mop any splash or drips and then crack on with a 3-4 inch cheap brush with the liquid in a used butter or ice cream tub .
I work from the centre of the roofline to the edges . When you get near the edge , start the wet brush a few inches from the edge , if you start at the edge the brush contents because it is wet will end up down the glass rather than being soaked up by the roof lining .
Any green stuff , treat with a Milton baby bottle sterilising tablet in some water first and leave to soak for 10 mins .
You can also use Johnson’s baby shampoo for a gentle roof clean after any Milton tablet.
This is the dummies guide I need, thanks so much 😁
No green stuff... not really even that dirty, but could probably do with a clean!
 
Excellent advice, thanks!

So do you just wash off with a sprinkler hose, to avoid the pressure washer?
You could to be safe. A jet wash is fine, you just need to keep your distance. Best to keep twice the distance you usually would just to be sure.

Volume of water is the key when cleaning the roof (rather than pressure) as the fabric is absorbant it pulls in soap suds (and dirt) which must then be used out.

A regular hose would be fine.
 
Although I trusted my local hand car wash with my 968 cab - after checking them many times doing the S204 - I instructed them to keep the pressure washer off the roof - and they obeyed (I'm a well known customer!). When I washed the roof at home I just used the garden hose to rinse the soap off.
 
Save yourselves a small fortune chaps, and use the 'system' recommended to me by a professional valeter ages ago!

Green mould? Milton's Sterilising tablets dissolved in warm water, scrub the solution in with soft brush, leave it a bit, rinse from open hose.

Clean with Johnsons blue (not lilac, different formula) baby bath mixed in warm water. Rinse as above. Do it twice.

Reproof when dry with the aforementioned Grangers Fabsil Gold applied with a 4" brush, which also has the effect of colouring the fabric, and looks natural, as opposed to something painted on. Apply a 2nd coat at 90 degrees to the 1st.

Bird crap on your hood? Pour cheap fizzy water onto it, the bubbles lift it out....rinse it away.

Pete
 
Save yourselves a small fortune chaps, and use the 'system' recommended to me by a professional valeter ages ago!

Green mould? Milton's Sterilising tablets dissolved in warm water, scrub the solution in with soft brush, leave it a bit, rinse from open hose.

Clean with Johnsons blue (not lilac, different formula) baby bath mixed in warm water. Rinse as above. Do it twice.

Reproof when dry with the aforementioned Grangers Fabsil Gold applied with a 4" brush, which also has the effect of colouring the fabric, and looks natural, as opposed to something painted on. Apply a 2nd coat at 90 degrees to the 1st.

Bird crap on your hood? Pour cheap fizzy water onto it, the bubbles lift it out....rinse it away.

Pete
That is pretty much my post above buddy ;)
 

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