Soft Top

[Guest]

[&:] I have recently purchased a lovely 2.7 which I am really pleased with ..... except, there are strange marks on the soft top (like large swirls - possibly caused by water?). The fabric is not damaged in any way and the marks are only apparent from certain angles. I have tried Renevo products - dry shampoo and the colour restorer but to no avail. If anything they seem to be more prominent - unless I am becoming obsessive!!

If anyone has had a similar problem, or any ideas on how I can restore the fabric to it' s original form, I would be really grateful to hear about it.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Do you mean circular marks - about an inch-and-a-half across?

If so these appear to be marks from something in the mechanism, pressing against the fabric when the roof is folded. If so then this is common.

 

[Guest]

Hi Mark

Yes, they are about an inch and a half wide, but they look completely random, across the whole hood, as if someone has run a hose across it - or that' s what I had assumed to be the case. Seems a shame if this is a result of the folding mechanism, but if so, then I guess there' s not a lot that can be done about it - but thanks for the reply.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Random does not sound right!

I was thinking more along the lines of 2 patches - in the same alignment (One each side, on the top of the hood).

Anyone else have any ideas???

 

[Helen Goff]

No idea!! i' ve got a 2.7 as well and haven' t noticed any marks.........shall have to go and have a look now!!!

only mark i have is a small patch where a sea gull attacted me i can' t seem to get completly rid of a small stain only visable in certain light at a certain angle but i know it' s there!![:' (]

 

[evoke]

Could be water marks or the if they are circular marks around 2-inches in diameter then these are part of the folding mechanism.

I use the Autoglym cabriolet hood kit to clean my soft top - around 19GBP from Halfords. It contains a hood cleaning spray, a sponge that won' t leave bits in your hood and a waterproofing spray.

Ignore the instructions for the cleaner and just use a bucket of warm water to rinse and wring the sponge in. Then spray some of the cleaner into the sponge and work this onto the hood. Then rinse the sponge in the bucket and remove some of the foam on the soft top. Work in small patches and allow the hood to dry completely.

This removed some stubborn bird sh*t from my hood!

Cheers,

Taz

 

[Mark_Bennett]

i have is a small patch where a sea gull attacted me i can' t seem to get completly rid of a small stain only visable in certain light at a certain angle but i know it' s there!!

You could also try gently using a toothbrush on the seagull fallout. But remember to wash it out before Larry next wants to clean his teeth[]

 

[Helen Goff]

Mark,
Larry uses an electric toothbrush do you think that would be ok[][]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If removed from the motor part first - then yes...
You want to be brushing along the " grain" of the materiel of the hood, not round and round in circles.
And don' t use toothpaste on the hood of the car!

If all else (and black permanent markers) fail, then Incero do a " black coloured" hood restorer type stuff (they also do a non-coloured for other, um, colours...). I haven' t used it myself, but it might be worth a go?

 

[wedgepilot]

I' ve used Renovo products in the past and was quite impressed by the results. Have a look at the Renovo UK website.

 

[THX911]

I have heard a lot of people mention renovo and is a product used by professionals too. The tricky bit is the application, never used it but apparently like paint it is not very forgiving on uneven layering and needs precise application (someone who has used it can give first hand comment). Something more mass market and immediate (can get it from Halfords) is AutoGlym Cabriolet Fabric Hood Cleaning Kit but it is just a cleaner and protector (prevents water absorption) and not a restorer. It comes in as a spray and is forgiving if over applied.

With all products preparation is the most important and time consuming stage. Opening the roof slightly and hanging bin-liners all-over is a good start and then get a good masking tape and cover the rest non-fabric bits.

 

[SKITTLES]

Hi I have been using a project called "FABSIL" You can get this from most camping stores Millets / Blacks. Costs about £22 for 2.5lts but this will do about 10-20 cars. I would NOT recommend the aerosol spray as it ends up going everwear but use the liquid and just paint it on. Will take about 10 "" 15 Minutes. I have used two coats and always look great. This product is a clear solution and is a water repellent not a colour restorer

 

[juliany27]

Kish's advice is good. But you can start the cleaning of the hood with a fluff remover or sticky paper - you will need a lot of it. That gets rid of those tiny bits of dirt and fluff and seems to be a good basic preparation before you move on to something more complicated.

 

[tommo1]

I've used the Autoglym Cabriolet Fabric Hood Cleaning Kit on my Boxster and although it is not a soft top restorer if you use the cleaning kit followed by the protector I find the roof looks good and water repels off the roof therefore protecting it

 

[Badger]

I can vouch for the effectiveness of the Autoglym kit too - but make sure you do not get the re-proofer on your paintwork it's a bu***r to get off.

 

[Black80XSA]

From your description is sounds like there is some fading of the material in places - give the roof a good scrub with a soft bristled brush and normal car shampoo diluted as directed, you might be surprised how much drt is in there. Then a very good hose off - if you use a pressure washer and get too close you will damage the fabric, so take care.

If the roof, once fully dried looks OK then just reproof - Fabsil is OK, Autoglym is fine but not very long lasting - the best is Scotchbrite Heavy Duty waterproofer spray, thats sold in the household section of bigger B&Q depots (turquoise coloured can). If the roof is patchy then the only option is Renovo, but as Kish has already pinted out its very difficult to get a very even coating - i've seen some real disasters with this product - application is critical.