This is a question we get asked a lot by our customers - "what is the best way to clean my convertible hood". So we thought we would put together a step by step guide on how to successfully clean your convertible roof and protect from future water damage or green algae build up.
We particularly like the Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect Complete kit by UK car care and valeting manufacturer Autoglym.
The kit comprises of two parts, a cleaning solution and a soft top protector. You also get a cleaning sponge as part of the kit, the sponge is fairly stiff - don't mistake it as part of the packaging. If you have a vinyl hood, then we recommend using bodywork shampoo & conditioner and protecting with the Autogylm Bumper & Trim Gel.
If you're looking to clean a mohair, canvas or fabric roof then read on my friend!
Above is a BMW Z3 Mohair hood covered in watermarks and mildew. Not a great look for this sporty little car, let's fix it.
Step 1.
Remove any excess dirt or debris from the hood using a soft brush, pay attention to seams and any areas where there may be a build up of mould or dirt. You could even hoover the hood if you feel it is necessary.
Step 2.
Soak the roof fully using clean water, no soap or shampoo at this point.
Step 3.
Apply part one of the Autoglym kit, the Soft Top Cleaner, liberally all over the hood. You should get around two uses out of one bottle so for a small 2 seater convertible you need to use around half of this bottle.
Step 4.
Once the product has been applied, use the cleaning sponge supplied in the kit to work the product into the fabric to create a foam. Pay particular attention to areas of mould or dirt build up and be careful not to get any product onto the paintwork of your car, simply wipe away as you go. You may need to apply a little more pressure to seams and where the hood meets the bodywork of the car.
Once the roof is completely covered and you have worked in the product, take 5, put your feet up with a cup of tea and a newspaper!
Step 5.
Now you need to rinse off the product with clean water until the water runs clear. Making sure that all of the product is washed away will help the protector work for longer and provide better protection.
Step 6.
Whilst the hood is still damp, spray the Soft Top Protector evenly onto the fabric, you do not need to saturate it. Wipe away any excess product from the bodywork and leave to dry.
Step 7.
Finally, admire your beautifully clean and fully protected soft top roof. We recommend cleaning your hood twice a year to keep it in pristine condition. If your car is kept under cover and you do not use the car very often, you may get away with following this process only once a year, but of course you need to keep an eye on the condition of the roof and make your own informed decision.
We hope this step by step guide on how to clean your soft top roof has helped and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch!
Click here to purchase this product
Comments
Kenneth:
I purchased the hood cleaning product after reading this blog on the website. It really did the job well and the step by step guide gave me a good understanding of how to do it properly so I wanted to say a big thank you to Every Car Covered for their help. They are a very dedicated and helpful company to deal with and I couldn’t recommend them higher. I have since gone on to purchase a Weatherpro car cover for my Audi A5 Convertible and this was another quality product that deserves recommendation.
Mar 13, 2017
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