Cleaning/restoring/proofing soft top

[johnlondonw3]

Any tips on cleaning the soft top ,any products worth getting ? Whats best way to clean it ?
Thanks

[rellik666]

I only ever vacuume the top, and never wash it. Helps keep the waterproofing. I also have BMW soft top cleaner, which I use if I get bird poo or tar or something on it. As my car is only 4 months old, I haven't reproofed the top yet, but I do have the BMW reproofer to use when I need it.

Hope this helps.

[johnlondonw3]

a bit of research on web found this company ,anyone tried their stuff ? Convertible top care by Renovo International - convertible top care specialists UK

[Dawn]

Wow, am surprised noone answered this yet ... ( i will, even tho im not topless any more)..
We all use/recommend the Autoglym Fabric Hood cleaner and protector, it comes as a kit and can be found at Halfrauds for around £19??? its brilliant stuff !

[minicabrio]

As Dawn said... AutoGlym fabric roof shampoo/protector.... comes as a kit

Fantastic stuff, always brought mine up like new.

[googly]

I'm just in the process of doing this myself. We bought our convertable about 4-5 weeks ago and its blue roof looks like it has never been cleaned!

After a lot of research I have decided to use RAGGTOPP Cleaner and RAGGTOPP Protectant which is recommended by the Haartz Corporation who are the supplier of convertible topping fabric for virtually every U.S. manufacturer and most European manufacturers.

I gave the roof two goes with the cleaner this afternoon and you should have seen the dirt come out!. Tomorrow morning I plan to do one more clean and then once dry apply the protectant.

[johnlondonw3]

Thanks everyone,......now which one to choose ?!!

[googly]

Very impressed with the Raggtopp. I've just finished putting a couple of coats of the protectant on and that combined with the cleaner has left the roof looking almost as good as new.

[johnlondonw3]

Googly
do the products youve used also reproof it ?

[googly]

Yes they do. There are two products, one is a cleaner the other is a protectant which reproofs. From the blurb:

RaggTopp Cleaner features:

• Specifically formulated for fabric & vinyl
• Safely removes the toughest stains & dirt
• Will not damage metal, plastic, rubber or wood finishes
• Does not contain bleach or leave any residue
• Environmentally friendly, biodegradable & non-toxic

RaggTopp Fabric Protectant features:

• Professional strength formulation WITHOUT Silicone
• Provides UV protection with UV stabilizers
• Will not damage metal, plastic, rubber or wood finishes
• Restores water and stain resistance to ‘as new’

I got mine as a kit from http://http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Store/Product/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=188 but there are other suppliers who are a bit cheaper I believe. I use these people because they are only about a 10min drive from me

The manufacturers website is www.wolfsteins.com

[Dawn]

Use the Autoglym.. do a search and see how many times we recommended this product..its brilliant

[johnlondonw3]

Ive assumed the MINI has a fabric top ,is that right ?............ Surely its not vinyl ..............

[googly]

yes it's fabric

[Teardrop2929]

Hiya guys,

I used to have a Streetka before my CooperS hardtop so not sure if its the same but I used the Renovo products mentioned above. Dont use the black restorer stuff unless your really handy with it as mine ended up all streaky with a line down the middle of the roof where you could see where i had reached over from each side!!!! Complete nightmare! It looked a right mess! Had to get a very heavy duty metal brush (I know it was a bad idea but i was desperate!!!) and that managed to re fluff the roof up enough to get rid of the noticable stripes and remove the residue where it had stuck in between the pile of the roof fabric!

You kind of paint the stuff on with a paint brush, so it may just have been my useless skills that meant it messed up! )

I also used the auto glym I think it was called?? from halfords in the 2 spray bottles with the sponge, this was brilliant and the sponge was really corse so ace for getting rid of bird poo! )

I'm guessing the mini had a glass rear screen but on my streetka it was plastic and I used Renovo's plastic rear screen cleaner and this I would really recommend as it cleared the screen and kept it clear for ages!

Hope this helps )

[johnlondonw3]

"Dont use the black restorer stuff unless your really handy with it as mine ended up all streaky with a line down the middle of the roof where you could see where i had reached over from each side!!!! Complete nightmare!"
I was going to get some of the Renovo products,and then saw your post ,how did you put the restorer on,did you use a brush or a sponge ? I assume you must have let it dry in the middle before you did the other side....i.e. if you keep a wet edge then this should avoid getting a line down the middle ??
Not sure if I should give the restorer a miss