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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Claying, polishing, waxing... share your secrets in here.
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Cir123
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by Cir123 » Sun May 30, 2021 4:29 pm

Hi! I'm currently gathering materials to clean, protect, and dye my soft top. I have a 2007 Z4 (E85) 3.0i roadster. I don't know if I have a fabric or vinyl soft top and going to look into it now. I've chosen the 303 cleaner and protectant, I don't know what dye to use though. I would like to get the best of the best dye for both fabric and vinyl. Thank you for the help!

PeteyZ4
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by PeteyZ4 » Sun May 30, 2021 11:01 pm

I used Renovo dye on mine (fabric) recently and it did a great job.

I put a whole 500ml bottle on in one go which covered it twice. Might be slightly darker with a second treatment, either using the 500ml in two coats (dry in between) or getting a litre of the stuff.

I'd probably go with the litre approach as 500ml only just covered it twice for me, and you don't want to run out part way through a coat.

Cir123
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by Cir123 » Mon May 31, 2021 2:28 am

PeteyZ4 wrote: Sun May 30, 2021 11:01 pm I used Renovo dye on mine (fabric) recently and it did a great job.

I put a whole 500ml bottle on in one go which covered it twice. Might be slightly darker with a second treatment, either using the 500ml in two coats (dry in between) or getting a litre of the stuff.

I'd probably go with the litre approach as 500ml only just covered it twice for me, and you don't want to run out part way through a coat.
Thanks so much!

revped123
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by revped123 » Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:10 pm

PeteyZ4, PeteyZ4 - do you have any before/after pics? My top is pretty bad and I'm curious to see how bad yours was and the results. Thank you!

PeteyZ4
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by PeteyZ4 » Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:11 pm

I didn't get any before pictures, but it was pretty grey with green patches. After cleaning with Turtle Wax cleaner (I don't recommend that stuff, it was crap) it just had a green hue all over.

This is what it looks like now though. A previous owner has been at it with a pressure washer in the past, and you can see where the fabric folds but I think you'll get that with any dye.
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True-Blue
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by True-Blue » Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:30 pm

Cir123 wrote: Sun May 30, 2021 4:29 pm Hi! I'm currently gathering materials to clean, protect, and dye my soft top. I have a 2007 Z4 (E85) 3.0i roadster. I don't know if I have a fabric or vinyl soft top and going to look into it now. I've chosen the 303 cleaner and protectant, I don't know what dye to use though. I would like to get the best of the best dye for both fabric and vinyl. Thank you for the help!
Have you got a photo of how bad the roof is now?

Depending on how bad it is, I’d be tempted to go down the Milton Sterilising tablets and Johnson’s (blue bottle) baby bath route before buying dye.

The Meguiar’s soft top cleaner is very good, much better than the autoglym product, but sterilising tablets and the baby bath cost a few quid and do a much better job :thumbsup:
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)

Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

Cir123
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Convertible Top Restore Help!

Post by Cir123 » Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:11 am

Have you got a photo of how bad the roof is now?
I do but the file is too big :( its not terrible after I brushed it and got the gunk that was trapped. Currently trying to find the fuel pump relay :cry: thanks so much for the tip though!! Definitely keep it in mind once I start cleaning and dying :]

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