Washing and cleaning convertible hoods!!

Hi All, Just read a thread dating back many years "Cleaning - washing, polishing, waxing etc" and according to admin the OP appears not to be on this forum anymore BUT before i knew that i asked the question ... "Would you be able to provide any guidance/advice on how to wash/care for the soft top when washing the car?" I have a 996 C4S CAB, it is midnight blue with a matching colour on the hood. Thanks in advance for anyone that can help. Nozer

My 996 C4 cabriolet is also midnight blue with a blue hood. I wash it with Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaner and treat it once a year with two coats of Fabsil Universal Protector. Did the same with my previous 986 Boxster S. Water beads on the hood on the rare occasions I leave the car out in the rain. Jerry

Hi Nozer, Good advice from Jerry. If you’re looking to deep clean and restore the fabric then I recommend this kit: https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Convertible_Roof_Restoration_Kit I used this to tackle some small stains and the roof looked a lot nicer afterwards. I would use a suitable proofer to finish off as the one in the kit isn’t that good at beading. Cheers, Coz

Cheer Jerry, Cheers Coz. With regards to the restoration kit, what colour would i quote? Just blue or what?

Hi Jerry, I did a search for the cleaner and all that keeps popping up is ... https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/interior-cleaning/autoglym-cabriolet-fabric-hood-maintenance-kit-636290.html Is this it? Thanks, NOzer

I suggest speaking to them. They do a colour match service (scroll down the product page), or may already know the code. Good luck!

Found this in my bookmarks: https://guidetodetailing.com/detailing-101/maintaining-your-convertible-top/

Nozer, That's the one. Cheaper on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autoglym-Cabriolet-Fabric-Hood-Cleaner-Soft-top-Roof-Restorer-Reviver-Kit/321341789532?epid=28032166332&hash=item4ad176955c:g:HPkAAOSwiylXCRvu The Autoglym cleaner is fine, the Fabsil Universal Protector is better than the Autoglym soft top restorer. I used the Autoglym restorer up the second time I applied it. I've used the Fabsil stuff since then. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=fabsil+universal+protector&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Don't use the spray on the Autoglym restorer bottle, just pour it into a paint pot and apply it with a brush. The spray goes on all over the place and is a bugger to get off the windows and windscreen glass. Use a brush. Jerry

I would advise hoovering first then soak then fabric cleaner applied let it dwell a while but don't let it dry, if very bad or green it will need a brush to agitate, rinse and see how it's come out you.may need to repeat the process again. Once roof is as clean as possible let it dry if needed Hoover any particles off then apply Fabsil roof proofer on a non windy day I find a brush works best and drips on paint or glass wipe off asap make sure it's kept dry for a good few hours. Roof will stay cleaner repeat fabsil at least once a year maybe twice if cars left outside.

I agree with Cliff Wilkins advice but I would add a recommendation that prior to vacuuming, bruh the hood with a traditional clothes brush. It’s always surprised me how much dust comes out of what appears to be a clean hood. I‘Ve used Renovo International products with totally satisfactory results for many years. Regards Roger

Just used Fabsil Gold for the first time. Not often I’m so impressed with a product. Haven’t tried the water ”beading” properties yet, but easy to apply and also leaves the hood fabric looking like new, which was an unexpected benefit. I would say ensure use in a well ventilated space though, as the fumes are quite something, I ended up using a face mask (For it’s intended purpose!) and still ended up feeling lightheaded! But overall very impressed and you don’t need too much - plenty left in the 1L tin I got. Thanks for the recommendations!

I know that the OP post was "washing and cleaning" but I'll add what I did as an aside/addition. This was my first time so don't take this as a recommendation, just an example/experience. My roof was in pretty good nick but for a rather noticable area that was either bird droppings or someone polishing had left some polish on the roof, anyhow I decided to do a repaint, like the OP mine is navy blue. I got the Renovo 3 bottles (there is a kit but it wasn't available so I got individually from amazon): - Disclaimer: The below assumes you also read and follow the manfacturers instructions. 1) Fabric soft top cleaner 2) Dark blue soft top reviver ( colour / paint ) 3) Ultra proofer ( protection ) Was all easy to do, took me about 6 hours but mainly that was because of drying time, the process was: - 1) If you are doing this uncovered ensure to do on a day that is overcast and VERY unlikely to rain. 2) Jet wash the roof 3) Apply cleaner and scrub in with a medium brush (not too soft but not hard enough to damage), I actually used a nail brush. Making sure to get it into those areas where it gets mouldy like stitching and joins , leave on for a few minutes and go over any really mouldy or dirty areas again if they are still giving up muck. 4) Jet wash / rinse thoroughly, will take a number of washes tio get rid of it ( white foam washing across the top ) especially in joins where it has soaked in. 5) When totally dry mask off. I masked of all windows and to mask off the black plastic trims I opened the roof 3 cm or so at which point the trims come away and are easy to mask. 6) Start painting the roof with a decent 2 inch paint brush. Important tips below: a) Don't do this in direct sunlight or it will dry too fast. b) When you get drips or runs on your windows (and you will) ensure to wipe them off before they dry, the instructions say it is water based and can be removed easily which is basically true but it is still a pain once dried, especially on a plastic rear window. c) Do this in small panels with two sides e.g. the middle of the roof down to an edge perhaps 10 or 12 cm wide, the reason I say small panels is that each panel will have 2 wet sides, DO NOT let one of these sides dry or you will get a line (and I did, right down the middle [ ] ). 6) After it is totally dry (about 3 hours, read the instructions) apply the Ultra proofer in the same "panel" manner as above. The results were excellent ( excepting my line down the middle but you really have to look to see it) it really looks like a new roof so thought I'd mention my experience. I can't comment on the longevity of the proofer but the brand is well known so I'll assume it is reasonably good. Hope this helps someone

Thanks guys. Looks like a job for someone who does it every day. I'd hate to mess it up. N

I too was nervous before embarking on giving my convertible a thorough going over for the first time (it lives outside in all weathers and had started to ’green’ in places). It was however very easy and satisfying to do, albeit quite time consuming. I now follow a similar method to others: soft brush to start low tak clothes tape/lint remover to get anything stubborn out of the fabric a go over with a hoover pressure washer from a distance to wet the surface liberal application of Gtechniq W2 at a 1:1 concentration gentle scrubbing with a medium bristle brush. I followed the weave of the material where possible rinse off the suds and gently scrub again (I did this about 5 times before I was satisfied all the product was out let it dry thoroughly under cover i then liberally applied Gtechniq I1 Smart Fabric AB v2 (that really is the name!), and saturated the whole surface using a spray bottle and then smearing it in with gloved hands (I partially raised the roof and laid out thin plastic dust sheets to cover rear deck lid, windscreen and side windows then closed the roof and taped off the rear window so I could use the spray with abandon). Probably took 30mins in total (it’s not a Porsche although the roof is about twice the size and took 1 litre of product) let it dry under cover 48hrs later I tested it and the beading was fantastic Warning! It is now so hydrophobic that after rain, the water tends to sit on the roof in beads/pools so when I get in, the weight of me sitting in the car means that it flows rapidly towards the drivers side and if the door isn’t closed quickly enough, it’s wet leg time! If I could, I’d park on a slope as the rain would just pour off the fabric. I’ve used fabsil and renovo products in the past but have found this to be the perfect set up for me. I do it every 12 - 18 months and just brush and hoover the roof for regular maintenance. I’ve not had any moss growth since using version 2 of the I1 product listed above Each scenario is different but I’d say if you haven’t paid a pro yet, give it a go

I used Renovo on the blue roof of a BMW Z3 3.0 when we owned it. Excellent results, and worth trying to do it yourself.

Great writeup TomB. I really enjoyed reading that and I don't even have a convertible! ??

I have just purchased a T reg 911/996. The soft top fabric is in very good condition. The rear window is not however! Any advice on restoration anyone? I have looked into a replacement rear window, and was told only Porsche dealers can carry out this work. As a special tool is required and only Porsche have these! Is this true? I would be grateful for any advice.