Should I fix what's not broken?

[Slicknick]

HELP I've got a dilemma do I reseal my cabriolet or do I leave it? I know absolutely nothing about this type of roof as my last soft-top was a Jeep Wrangler and it roof was just a thin bit of fabric/plastic!! Now my problem is I've no idea where the rain/water goes it soaks into the roof but the interior is dry is that normal? Does it need sealing? I have some Fabsil(other products are available!!)ready if need be. Thanks.

 

[Chrishazle]

Sounds like the roof needs re-proofing as the water is not beading on it. You have not said whether it needs cleaning and maybe re-colouring first.

I used Renovo (3 products, cleaner, colourant and proofer) on the hood of my 968 cab when I first bought it - previous owner used Fabsil, but I needed to recolour it as well. If you decide on this, be aware that the colourant is thinner than water and gets everywhere, so mask off naywhere you don't want it to go, and if any gets onto the bodywork wipe it off quickly, it's a swine to remove once its dry (ask me how I know!!). Also do not fold the roof for at least 24 hours after you finish, or you'll get lighter coloured crease marks.

4 years on, the colour is still quite good and water still beads on the roof.

I've also seen good reports about Autoglym fabric roof stuff but have not used it myself.

 

[Halcyon Days]

I use the Autoglym cleaner / proofer and it works very well too.
take your time and follow the instructions and you'll be fine

 

[MBScoob]

I do wonder if there are different roof fabrics that behave in different ways. For example, the brand new roof on my BMW 320i Cab. from a few years back would always look wet and soaked in the rain, it never beaded. This was considered normal for the car. No water ever got inside. Ever. I assume the top layer was a tough, wear resistant one, with the layer under that providing the water proofing. Regardless, it worked well.

So, SlickNick, if other cars of the same model as yours DO bead and repel water as standard on their surface layer, then maybe yours does indeed need re-treating. A bit more research should hopefully answer your question.

Best of luck

Scoob.

 

[lxi]

I've used Renovo to good effect & indeed the Autoglym on my wife's car. Having really scrubbed it this time I'm about to try the Gtechniq I1 Smart Fabric Coat this weekend - the blurb claims it outlasts the others by a factor of up to 5

 

[BTB 500]

The hood on my R129 has never beaded but has never let water or damp in either so I've never done anything other than hose it off when washing the car.

 

[jotter22]

Reading on the TT forum it would appear the method on there is to remove the algae/moss or whatever it is with Milton sterilising tablets then wash with Johnson baby bath (blue bottle) then treat with fabsil thats the method i am going to try....failing that book it in with KDS for a re colour and seal!

Tony.

 

[markmifsud]

I went down the Renovo route, as Chris has already said, the colour stain is thinner than a thin thing and will get everywhere. The water does bead a bit but will soon revert to just being wet, I may need to do another coat of sealer

 

[Reggie-rock]

I used Protex restorer and then proofer and the result was fantastic although expensive but worth it.

 

[Slicknick]

Thanks for all your replies I think I'm going to go down MBScoobs route and do a bit more research,because as I drive around I my truck I see a lot of roofs and just lately with the rain we've been having all the soft tops look the same as mine.