Newbie SoftTop question

S

Shane_Red_V6S

New member
Hi all,

Apologies for the newbie question but I have never had a soft top before.

I picked up a used Ftype last week and am starting to think about cleaning. Rest of the car should be fine but I am a bit confused about the roof:

1. I read up about the periodic clean and restore with Raggtopp or Autoglym or similar. However what do I do in between when its just getting a regular wash? Do I wash it with the usual shampoo or just leave it? I noticed yesterday I already have a small bird poo so assume I need to get that off somehow but confused what i should do on a weekly basis.

2. Can anyone recommend a good brush on Amazon to clean it with. I looked at a few but the reviews said they had quite hard bristles and I am really worried about marking it etc?

Thanks in advance for your help. Absolutely loving the car already even though not really been able to drive it much so far. What a noise!

Shane.
 
Hello Shane,

Look up White Details on YT. He has just detailed a Bentley convertible. He uses a brush made by Pro Valet immsmw. He has loads on content on the subject.

Enjoy!

Darren
 
I just use soapy water, rinse off then dry with an e-cloth before I do any of the rest of the car.
Works for me.
Tel will be on here soon advising what the OCD brigade do🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
Hi Shane,
I use the Autoglym once a year in late autumn when you can still get a mild dry day for it to dry fully. Take your time on each phase and it works really well.
In winter be sure to remove any bits from the rear where they get trapped in the rubber boot strip, as this is where it can get mucky.
I vacuum the roof if lots of pollen etc. and wash it along with the car, with a hand hedgehog.
Any stubborn marks you can use a washing up sponge with the rough side and I dry off with a microfibre cloth pulling from the centre outwards on each side.
Also don’t forget to clean the top bar on the front windscreen with the roof open - and vacuum the hood well out occasionally.
For snow I have a soft bristle broom to brush it off with.
All sounds a lot but actually doesn’t add too much to the cleaning time as you don’t need to do everything every time. And of course there is no one right way to do things, each to their own.
Maybe some RainX on the rear screen too.
 
It’s Raggtopp cleaner and protectant for mine. Their kits have kept my soft tops on Jeeps, Z4 and F type in good condition for 20 years.

The damage to the outer layer is caused by wrong products, dirt not removed or scrubbing, the latter which piles up the fabric. Avoid all these and no internet tips about tent sealer, canvas protector, etc. They are designed to waterproof and the outer layer is not supposed to be waterproof.

For regular use just the open nozzle of the hose and stubborn marks I have a handheld steam cleaner, but as with all things it’s gentle use.
 
Just don't get a wash leather anywhere near it (or the rest of the car).
I learnt the hard way!
My wife decided to help and wash our old Boxster when I was away working and leather dried the soft top😢
Took me weeks to get the resultant debris out of the material.
 
Hi google "Detailing World" sure you will get lots of advice!! OCD can certainly be made worse by that website.,
 
JurassicF said:
Tel will be on here soon advising what the OCD brigade do🤣🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...


Well, as Ive had an official invite, here's my four'penneth....Thanks Rob :lol:


Wash the hood with luke warm, filtered (I use bottled Evian or Natural Artesian Well) water.

Youtube will have you scratching your head as I do when I walk into a supermarket for Shampoo, and am presented with a whole isle of shampoos!

Don't use a brush...and here's the reason why...The material on our particular cars, fluffs up really well if you use the wrong type or grade of bristle!
Yep, it's true, so if you want to keep your hood looking like new, just use a simple Microfibre towel (i use a silk glove or a Sable Fox's hair paint brush of course).
The old soft, natural boot buffing brushes are great, or even natural shaving brushes with the last ⅜" taken off to make them a little more 'bristly'.

There's a whole plethora of chemicals you can use. Many touting wonderful tropical smells and the ability to keep dirt off...all codswallop.

Keep it simple, and save yourself money by steering away from Automotive products.
Look at waterproofers that have been around for years and that work well:
Fabsil and Nikwax spring to mind. You can buy it in 5L containers and it will last you a lifetime. Always check on an inconspicuous part first just in case any stains are left...I think that 3M or Scotch do!

FWIW - I use GTechniq I1 V2 Smart Fabric Protector, the reason why I have not listened to my own advice is that I bought quite a lot. When it's finished, i'll be looking at other hydrophobic treatments mentioned above.

For drying, I use a leaf blower or dedicated super plush ½'' thick microfibre drying towel.

Carpets, hood, everything gets covered when it has a good clean before I show the car. It lasts well and being solvent based, penetrates deeply.

HTH
P.S The stuff in brackets is absolute rubbish, just in case you were wondering ;-)
 
Tel said:
JurassicF said:
Tel will be on here soon advising what the OCD brigade do🤣🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...


Well, as Ive had an official invite, here's my four'penneth....Thanks Rob :lol:


Wash the hood with luke warm, filtered (I use bottled Evian or Natural Artesian Well) water.

Youtube will have you scratching your head as I do when I walk into a supermarket for Shampoo, and am presented with a whole isle of shampoos!

Don't use a brush...and here's the reason why...The material on our particular cars, fluffs up really well if you use the wrong type or grade of bristle!
Yep, it's true, so if you want to keep your hood looking like new, just use a simple Microfibre towel (i use a silk glove or a Sable Fox's hair paint brush of course).
The old soft, natural boot buffing brushes are great, or even natural shaving brushes with the last ⅜" taken off to make them a little more 'bristly'.

There's a whole plethora of chemicals you can use. Many touting wonderful tropical smells and the ability to keep dirt off...all codswallop.

Keep it simple, and save yourself money by steering away from Automotive products.
Look at waterproofers that have been around for years and that work well:
Fabsil and Nikwax spring to mind. You can buy it in 5L containers and it will last you a lifetime. Always check on an inconspicuous part first just in case any stains are left...I think that 3M or Scotch do!

FWIW - I use GTechniq I1 V2 Smart Fabric Protector, the reason why I have not listened to my own advice is that I bought quite a lot. When it's finished, i'll be looking at other hydrophobic treatments mentioned above.

For drying, I use a leaf blower or dedicated super plush ½'' thick microfibre drying towel.

Carpets, hood, everything gets covered when it has a good clean before I show the car. It lasts well and being solvent based, penetrates deeply.

HTH
P.S The stuff in brackets is absolute rubbish, just in case you were wondering ;-)
Click to expand...

Four'penneth or full Bible🤔🤔😋😋
 
Tel said:
JurassicF said:
Tel will be on here soon advising what the OCD brigade do🤣🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...


FWIW - I use GTechniq I1 V2 Smart Fabric Protector, the reason why I have not listened to my own advice is that I bought quite a lot. When it's finished, i'll be looking at other hydrophobic treatments mentioned above.
Click to expand...


I used the GTechniq Smart Fabric Protector and it’s done an amazing job but was a faff to put on, will be using nikwax or similar next time, as you suggest Tel
 
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