Soft top cleaning

[UKGTC]

I’ve decided as it’s a nice weekend I’m going to hopefully get the soft top treated and looking like new.
I bought a Renovo kit with fabric cleaner, reviver and ultra proofer.
This is the roof after the cleaning process which isn’t looking too bad. Because it wasn’t in a bad state I used the quick cleaning method using neat product on a damp applicator sponge to apply and then carefully stubbed with a soft brush in circular motions. It was surprising how much filth lifted out of the material and I’m glad I took my time. Im leaving it all day to dry and will start stage 2 in the morning. I’ll take some more pictures as I go.

 

[W1ghty]

I’ve decided as it’s a nice weekend I’m going to hopefully get the soft top treated and looking like new.
I bought a Renovo kit with fabric cleaner, reviver and ultra proofer.
View attachment 168368View attachment 168369This is the roof after the cleaning process which isn’t looking too bad. Because it wasn’t in a bad state I used the quick cleaning method using neat product on a damp applicator sponge to apply and then carefully stubbed with a soft brush in circular motions. It was surprising how much filth lifted out of the material and I’m glad I took my time. Im leaving it all day to dry and will start stage 2 in the morning. I’ll take some more pictures as I go.

Nice one buddy , yep it looks like a few days of good weather, I might have to do mine .

 

[Chrishazle]

For the re-colour stage, mask up the car and beware, that stuff is thinner than water and finds its way into and onto places you don't want it to - I speak from experience after using exactly that kit on my 968 cab! Mask off everywhere below the soft top and have a clean rag in hand as you use the stuff, it's really easy to remove when wet but a PITA once dried! Think in particular of where the boot lid meets the bodywork and the drainage area underneath! Also as the instructions say, do not fold the roof for at least 24 hours after using it or you will get crease marks - guess how I know!!

Once it's done your roof will look superb, you'll probably have enough waterproofer for a second use in 6-12 months, after which you're OK using the well known tent proofing spray for another few years unitil it needs deep clean and maybe re-colour again.

 

[UKGTC]

For the re-colour stage, mask up the car and beware, that stuff is thinner than water and finds its way into and onto places you don't want it to - I speak from experience after using exactly that kit on my 968 cab! Mask off everywhere below the soft top and have a clean rag in hand as you use the stuff, it's really easy to remove when wet but a PITA once dried! Think in particular of where the boot lid meets the bodywork and the drainage area underneath! Also as the instructions say, do not fold the roof for at least 24 hours after using it or you will get crease marks - guess how I know!!

Once it's done your roof will look superb, you'll probably have enough waterproofer for a second use in 6-12 months, after which you're OK using the well known tent proofing spray for another few years unitil it needs deep clean and maybe re-colour again.

That is great advice. I intend to use recycling bin bags attached with frog tapes that absorbs liquid. The idea of taping on recycling bags is they are clear and I can see any product leaking underneath. I doubt I will be folding the roof over the next week.

 

[UKGTC]

The 2 dye coats are now done and just waiting for it to dry so I can do the waterproofing.
This is such a long job to do properly.
Below are the pictures of the first and second coats.

 

[W1ghty]

I used to mask stuff up , but now I leave a wet micro fibre cloth handy and a bucket of water just in case , then I just paint or proof carefully . When I’m done I wipe the damp cloth over the glass areas .

 

[UKGTC]

I used to mask stuff up , but now I leave a wet micro fibre cloth handy and a bucket of water just in case , then I just paint or proof carefully . When I’m done I wipe the damp cloth over the glass areas .

It’s one of those things i masked it up and spilt nothing but knowing my luck if I didn’t I’d have splashed it everywhere.
One thing it was a stretch at 5 ft 10 reaching to the middle on such a wide car.

 

[W1ghty]

It’s one of those things i masked it up and spilt nothing but knowing my luck if I didn’t I’d have splashed it everywhere.
One thing it was a stretch at 5 ft 10 reaching to the middle on such a wide car.

Fantastic proper job though !
Renovo also sell Cuban heels to allow extra reach I think

 

[UKGTC]

The final result was well worth it and it looks like new.


A great tip would be to wear disposable gloves because the dye was a pain to get off.

 

[Jimmcb]

That looks really good.

When I first got into convertibles I used the Renovo products but found they started to get expensive. So I started using for stage 1 cleaning: Milton fluid or tablets in a mix of 1 tablet to 5 litres of warm water with medium brush to clean the roof and agitate the fibres to get moss/algae out with lots of water to flush it through.

Once dry, and only when dry, stage 2 is application by brush with wetted overlaps of Fabsil gold and Fabsil standard (mix of 1:4). I put on two coats and in different directions for each coat.

The roof looks great after this and I do it twice a year in early spring and late autumn

Much cheaper and possibly better result??

Jim

 

[Chrishazle]

Fabsil is the proofer I'd forgotten the name of when I posted, yes it does work well, I used it when my Renovo ran out, however it is not a colourant, stage 2 of the Renovo treatment. OK, I only re-coloured my 968 cab roof once with a couple of small touch-ups where I'd folded the roof too early - in 8 1/2 years ownership! I've also seen Milton recommended many times as the cleaner stage 1.

 

[UKGTC]

A detailer mate of mine suggested going over the finished waterproof layer with a specialist ceramic coating for soft tops. He has some I can have for free so I’m going to give it a go.

 

[fabes]

Looks good

 

[W1ghty]

A detailer mate of mine suggested going over the finished waterproof layer with a specialist ceramic coating for soft tops. He has some I can have for free so I’m going to give it a go.

I’d be interested to hear about the ceramic soft top coat when you get round to it.

 

[Jimmcb]

A detailer mate of mine suggested going over the finished waterproof layer with a specialist ceramic coating for soft tops. He has some I can have for free so I’m going to give it a go.

Keen to hear how that goes.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Gyeon Fabricoat and Gtechnic Smart Fabric are both superb products. Preparation is key.

 

[baxlin]

It does look good, nice result.

I’d been advised against Renovo when I had my Saab 9-3 vert because, I was told, it was a sort of paint, (probably not far wrong, either, with the sage words about masking etc given above!) and could leave an uneven finish, rather than being ‘just’ a cleaner and conditioner.

And from the description here of the process, it’s a good job I took that advice, as I don’t think I would have had the patience for Renovo.

 

[UKGTC]

It does look good, nice result.

I’d been advised against Renovo when I had my Saab 9-3 vert because, I was told, it was a sort of paint, (probably not far wrong, either, with the sage words about masking etc given above!) and could leave an uneven finish, rather than being ‘just’ a cleaner and conditioner.

And from the description here of the process, it’s a good job I took that advice, as I don’t think I would have had the patience for Renovo.

The conditioner restorer which is stage 2 definitely has a dye in it but I would describe it more like a fabric conditioner with ink in it due to being so watery. Being black and following the process I found it easy to get an even coat but as you noticed it is a work up to do it properly. I can imagine it would be far more difficult doing this to a colour soft top that a black.