cleaning / waterproofing the soft top
- Thread starter t88mtb
- Start date
Lots of cab roof cleaners on the market. 303 do a full kit cleaner & proofer.
Proofers I have used is either Renovo or Fabsill.
Proofers I have used is either Renovo or Fabsill.
I find brush on types better saves getting the product on the bodywork and saves time masking up body.
I find Fabsil better on the roofs I have done but can't comment on 303 as I haven't used it but it gets good reviews.
I find Fabsil better on the roofs I have done but can't comment on 303 as I haven't used it but it gets good reviews.
Chrishazle
Active member
Renovo cleaner, followed by their colourant if needed (beware, it's thinner than water and gets everywhere), then proofer. I used all 3 Renovo products on my 968 cab when I bought it almost 7 years ago, have re-proofed it once with fabsil in that time, and it's now time to re-clean and colour.
Hi Tom,
Fabisil Gold user here too, and I've also just re-applied mine. I wrote this hints and tips thread last year, if you do decide to use it. Hopefully it'll take you straight to it (trying it, yo may need to scroll down a post or two) *edit
This was my hood after driving to Caff and Mac on Sunday
Mark
https://www.porscheclubgb.om/forum/FindPost/996453
Fabisil Gold user here too, and I've also just re-applied mine. I wrote this hints and tips thread last year, if you do decide to use it. Hopefully it'll take you straight to it (trying it, yo may need to scroll down a post or two) *edit
This was my hood after driving to Caff and Mac on Sunday
Mark
https://www.porscheclubgb.om/forum/FindPost/996453
Chrishazle
Active member
You are correct, Fabsil is just a proofer mainly, I think, used on tents (I bought mine in a camping shop). For full hood treatment you need to first clean, then if necessary re-colour, then waterproof, so potentially 3 different procedures and products, with drying time between each.
I have seen this type of question many times on Porsche and MB forums I frequent, and the normal answers are either Renovo or Autoglym products for cleaning and colouring, with Fabsil added to those 2 for proofing. I personally used Renovo cleaner (with their recommended stiff sponge), colourant and proofer when I first bought my 968 cab (dark blue roof) almost 7 years ago, and re-proofed it 3 years ago with Fabsil - because I had half a spray can left and it was easier than the left-over Renovo I still have. TBH, the roof could now do with a good clean and re-colour, but that will have to wait for 3 consecutive warm and sunny days!
I have seen this type of question many times on Porsche and MB forums I frequent, and the normal answers are either Renovo or Autoglym products for cleaning and colouring, with Fabsil added to those 2 for proofing. I personally used Renovo cleaner (with their recommended stiff sponge), colourant and proofer when I first bought my 968 cab (dark blue roof) almost 7 years ago, and re-proofed it 3 years ago with Fabsil - because I had half a spray can left and it was easier than the left-over Renovo I still have. TBH, the roof could now do with a good clean and re-colour, but that will have to wait for 3 consecutive warm and sunny days!
Cleaners, depends on what 'needs' to be cleaned. Any general car wash shampoo will always help, but it depends on your circumstance (Ie, garaged or not, what its left under) If you aren't 'green' with any mould, I would shampoo with a wash, especially if left outside. If garaged, and waterprooofed, I'd only bother to do the hood every two or three washes. If your hood needs treatment pre-waterproofing, I'd take the time to work a mild shampoo into any green areas with a light brush, maybe even a toothbrush for tight areas, and ciontiune until you see no 'green' coming out with the white shampoo. If there is any sign of green, you could add non standard hood cleaners, jsut be careful of it on the paint is all.
Personally, I'd be wary of Renevo unless your hood is absolutely clear of any previous cleaning product, and waterproofer, as there are a number of horror stories (like with any internet things) of botch jobs unless the hood is clear of all previous products
Hope that now balances the Cleaner Vs Waterproofer OP
Personally, I'd be wary of Renevo unless your hood is absolutely clear of any previous cleaning product, and waterproofer, as there are a number of horror stories (like with any internet things) of botch jobs unless the hood is clear of all previous products
Hope that now balances the Cleaner Vs Waterproofer OP
Chrishazle
Active member
D911ARK said:Personally, I'd be wary of Renevo unless your hood is absolutely clear of any previous cleaning product, and waterproofer, as there are a number of horror stories (like with any internet things) of botch jobs unless the hood is clear of all previous products
Hope that now balances the Cleaner Vs Waterproofer OP
Renovo do their own cleaner shampoo as the first stage of hood renovation, they also sell a stiff sponge for applying the cleaner, and the bottle has good instructions about how to use the product. That is stage 1 of 2 or 3 - depending on whether you need to recolour the hood before proofing. I'd never had a softtop before I bought the 968 cab, followed the instructions (mostly) on each of the 3 products, learnt that the colourant is thinner than water and gets everywhere, is easy to remove from paint when wet but a bitch when dry, also learnt the hard way why they say do not fold the hood for at least 24 hours after colourant - and still have the light crease marks to proove it! However, the overall results were excellent, the hood is still waterproof although the colour has now faded - but 7 years on I can't complain, especially as I still have enough of all 3 products to do the hood again.
There are specialised cleaners for roofs plenty on the market .
But you could use a fabric cleaner if using 101 it's strong make sure it's diluted as required.
Heard for persistent mould use Miltons.
Clean first then let the roof tottaly dry before applying your chosen proofer but Fabsil gold works best in my experience.
Choose a nice day no wind or rain the roof can take a few hours to dry cure.
Cliff.
But you could use a fabric cleaner if using 101 it's strong make sure it's diluted as required.
Heard for persistent mould use Miltons.
Clean first then let the roof tottaly dry before applying your chosen proofer but Fabsil gold works best in my experience.
Choose a nice day no wind or rain the roof can take a few hours to dry cure.
Cliff.
Been reading this discussion with interest. Just purchased a 2003 986.2 and the body work is in great condition, but the roof needs a little bit of attention. The main issue is that the roof, while waterproof and clean (no mould etc, but rain does not bead on the surface), is not as black as it should be, over the years it has faded.
So my question is, will a good clean and some Fabsil darken it off, or is the only option to get it back to black using something like the Renovo 3 part system?
So my question is, will a good clean and some Fabsil darken it off, or is the only option to get it back to black using something like the Renovo 3 part system?
If your roof is badly faded going white patchy effect the only option is to use renovo dye reviver
If you want maximum beading go over after with fabsil gold.
Other than that you can replace with a new hood from the car hood warehouse.
If you want maximum beading go over after with fabsil gold.
Other than that you can replace with a new hood from the car hood warehouse.
Morning,
I'm with Cliff, above, here. It depends on what you're after. If immaculate is what you're after and budget not the issue, you could look at new hood prices (and then Fabisili it ). If you keep outside though, bear in mind the sun and weather will fade it over time again. So think about where it's going to be parked for most of its time. Also, sun will fade it over time, but, also, being stored outside down the side of a house that gets no sun, it also wont dry quickly after rain etc, and that's when you get your mould and green back if not careful. But, if it's taken 16 years to get to this faded state, maybe 16 years before you need to do it again
Renovo should give you the colour back you are after, but as I have I think I have spoken about, there are a few Internet horror stories of Renovo making a mess off a hood. That mainly transpires to poor pre-prep or doing it in the sun, I believe and many here have used Renovo successfully. Make sure that the hood is free of any and all traces of any shampoo, previous products etc, and do in the shade and with the hood cool to touch. I have no experience of it myself, just researched before going the Fabisil route.
Fabisil, yes, gives you that beading and easier to keep clean and dry, especially if you garage like me, after a wash or a drive out, it either blows/rolls off, of the MF towel takes all the water off of the hood
Sorry if that does't help you with a decision
I'm with Cliff, above, here. It depends on what you're after. If immaculate is what you're after and budget not the issue, you could look at new hood prices (and then Fabisili it
). If you keep outside though, bear in mind the sun and weather will fade it over time again. So think about where it's going to be parked for most of its time. Also, sun will fade it over time, but, also, being stored outside down the side of a house that gets no sun, it also wont dry quickly after rain etc, and that's when you get your mould and green back if not careful. But, if it's taken 16 years to get to this faded state, maybe 16 years before you need to do it again Renovo should give you the colour back you are after, but as I have I think I have spoken about, there are a few Internet horror stories of Renovo making a mess off a hood. That mainly transpires to poor pre-prep or doing it in the sun, I believe and many here have used Renovo successfully. Make sure that the hood is free of any and all traces of any shampoo, previous products etc, and do in the shade and with the hood cool to touch. I have no experience of it myself, just researched before going the Fabisil route.
Fabisil, yes, gives you that beading and easier to keep clean and dry, especially if you garage like me, after a wash or a drive out, it either blows/rolls off, of the MF towel takes all the water off of the hood
Sorry if that does't help you with a decision
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