Cabriolet Fabric Roof Protection

[Simon_M]

Anyone got any great tips for protecting a cabriolet roof?

I have quite a bit of experience with this but am not having much luck with the CLK.

I have tried the Autoglym kit (rubbish), Renovo (too messy) and used to get good results with spraying the roof with ‘Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Repellent’. They seemed to have stopped making this so I bought some ‘Scotchgard Outdoor Fabric Protector’ and after masking up the car, applied two cans of the stuff.

Well, blow me, I may as well have urinated on the roof for all the difference it has made

Anyone else ever used this with better results? or is there another miracle spray I can use?

I really do hate the mess brushing on stuff like Renovo makes.

Simon

 

[BTB 500]

I've never used anything on my SL hood, but then it doesn't stand outside.

There have been threads on this before - try a search or two. From memory most people liked the Autoglym one, or M-B do a clean/proof kit themselves.

 

[wemorgan]

If you have no luck here, then it might be worth trying: A world for detailers...

 

[RBYCC]

Try Raggtopp....tested and endorsed by Haartz..

www.wolfsteins.com/products

 

[Pure Detail]

Raggtopp is great stuff!

Renovo is also very good.

 

[Simon_M]

I have used Renovo before, but it was the mess it made of the paintwork brushing it on. Sprays really are much easier.

S

 

[x332race]

Just used Autoglym.......works a treat for us....water now just runs off the fabric.....used about double the amount of the waterproofer suggested....used a whole bottle on the roof of our CLK......used this as well on our previous CLK to good effect....mind you we garage the car overnight, but it is out most days in all weathers...

Have read that people suggest other products but see no reason to as Autoglym works for us....

PS. cleaned roof and then waited for it to dry completely before applying the waterproofer...this seems to allow the waterproofer to soak into the fabric much better.

 

[MD5]

I have used Renovo and MB's own, which is a very goos spray on protector. You will have the same problem with overspray on the paintwork, but a clean, damp cloth will wipe it off.

 

[Simon_M]

I used the Autoglym stuff years ago and was very, very dissapointed with it.

I might investigate the MB stuff.

Thanks for the info guys.

I have also emailed 3M because the Scotchgard stuff is useless, whereas the older product was the dogs.

S

 

[Howard]

Perhaps they have changed the Autoglym formula since you last used it years ago ?

I used it on the hood of my now sadly dead CLK cab and it was the business.

 

[AbbieCadabra]

just wondered if you've done your roof now Simon?

am looking to buy a kit to do our roof for the 1st time so am interested in any more feedback

 

[Simon_M]

Hi,

Now I haven't - after I took all the time to clean it and masked up all the windows and sprayed two cans of Scotchgard on it for it to be waste of time I have not got round to doing it again.

I emailed 3M customer service as I cannot believe Scotchgard has become so rubbish in only a few years, but it typical style they read my email and then ignored it.

People are saying that the Autoglym stuff is good, but at £20 and with my previous bad experience I am still not going to risk it.

I may see what Mercedes have on offer, but I also have a coupel of spray bottles of 'A-Glaze' fabric protector that I normally use for mats etc.

I know Autoexpress did a recent review on hood cleaners and several proofing products were mentioned such as Meguiars so I may sniff out those.

To be honest, I can't be ar$ed with it again - I will investigate at the end of the summer, but if you want a can of Scotchgard you are welcome to it!!

Simon

PS I did get some lint remover rollers from 3M, which are basically a plastic roller with sticky tape on the outside - there are superb at removing fluff and gubbins from the roof.

 

[AbbieCadabra]

i've just splashed out on the Autoglym kit @ £20, hopefully the weather will be dry enough at the weekend to have a play with it.

 

[lil.smartie]

We sell the kit by BAS International. They make replacement canvas (mohair?) sections too so for them to put their name to it it must be good, had no complaints either and have stocked it for a couple of years now.

Kate

 

[Simon_M]

i've just splashed out on the Autoglym kit @ £20, hopefully the weather will be dry enough at the weekend to have a play with it.

Really interested to hear you opinions of it as I still cannot bring myself to buy it!! But being a spray it is on my acceptable list, brush on stuff is just too messy.

Simon

 

[AbbieCadabra]

what's the best way to go about prectecting the glass & paintwork? i'd thought perhaps put all the windows down then use masking tape & newspapers/bin liners to cover the car as much as poss?? or would it be ok to be as 'careful' as possible & just wipe any overspray asap? can you tell i haven't done this before?!

 

[Simon_M]

Personally I got masking tape and newspaper and covered all the windows, windscreen surround, rear window and other 'at risk areas'. Took a while to do, which is probably why I cannot be bothered to do it again.

S

 

[x332race]

I didn't do any masking at all....was just careful and wiped any excess off immdeialty....I also cleaned and polished the car once the roof was dry to get rid of any bits I had missed.

 

[Wraakian]

I've had water ingression above the passenger side window where there is a seam joint, it just drips in onto the leather seat and is causing damage to the cream/light grey leather (anyone successfully used a leather restorer?). I have purchased Renovo colour refresher and also the Renovo sealer as they were successful on my previous Brabus roadster. I can see the drainage channels are all clear and have used Gummi Pflege after cleaning all the rubber seals but the outer roof covering material gets absolutely saturated in heavy rainfall and this is overwhelming the drainage channels hence my trying to seal the outer fabric. Hope you get yours sorted.

 

[fabes]

Don't use sprays
And Renovo is just too much (IMHO)

Fabsil with a 2inch paintbrush does the job very well on a dry and cleaned roof
Hoover it, dampen the roof, then use Milton's to get rid of any greening on a damp roof, rinse with hose, then use AG cleaner or blue Johnson's baby path (pH neutral), rinse with hose (not power washer) , clean car as usual and then leave for many hours to dry

Then apply Fabsil carefully keeping a wet edge and you shouldn't get any runoff

Did my annual roof treatment on the bank holiday weekend, took just a couple of hours all in.