Roof cleaning

[domsz4]

Sorry for the many posts today…
Advice on roof cleaning, I’ve used an dilute APC (car valet pro orange thingy) twice and 3 goes with autoglym hood cleaner. Each time i dampened the roof, agitated in with a sponge, left for a bit, and rinced.

It’s looking good but I’m sure I can still see bits of green esp as it’s now dried.

It could just be a case that it’s faded.

Any thoughts on a different cleaner? Or is it worth using some renovo. The hood has never been recoloured

[DMike]

I found the BMW’s hood cleaning & protection kit result in a darker result than AG’s, but if your hood has faded, some have reported good results with renovo. Never used it myself but certainly someone will chime in.

[Sidewaze Samm]

I can still see bits of green

try using a solution of Milton sterilising tablets and a brush (not too firm).

[skelters]

Autoglym kit or just use snow foam.

Bin the sponge and get into it with a Vikan brush from Amazon or wherever else sells these things. It's like a giant nail brush.

Soapy stuff, Vikan brush, rinse and repeat. You'll know when it's clean as the dirt will stop coming out.

Clean the roof in sections at a time.

Waterproof it if you want but it's a bit pointless unless you want it to bead.

Any excess waterproofing agent needs to be cleaned off the glass etc right away as it's worse than tree sap when it's dry.

[Bob123]

I can still see bits of green

try using a solution of Milton sterilising tablets and a brush (not too firm).

I'd be a bit wary of the Milton as it acts as a bleach if you get it on clothing etc., that is it bleaches the colour.

[domsz4]

I can still see bits of green

try using a solution of Milton sterilising tablets and a brush (not too firm).

I read a few places suggesting this but was skeptical that it wouldn’t damage the roof as I thought Milton was essentially weak bleach

[domsz4]

Autoglym kit or just use snow foam.

Bin the sponge and get into it with a Vikan brush from Amazon or wherever else sells these things. It's like a giant nail brush.

Soapy stuff, Vikan brush, rinse and repeat. You'll know when it's clean as the dirt will stop coming out.

Clean the roof in sections at a time.

Waterproof it if you want but it's a bit pointless unless you want it to bead.

Any excess waterproofing agent needs to be cleaned off the glass etc right away as it's worse than tree sap when it's dry.

Tbh I have been using the sponge but when I did the APC I used a really soft dish brush… I’ll give it a whirl again in the morning.

Interesting about the waterproofing

[patriot66]

Hi domsz4. Have you thoroughly brushed and vacuumed the hood before going on to any wet work ? The more dust, dirt and algae etc you can remove when the roof is dry the better. I have a couple of Sonax Leather & Upholstery Brushes (1 for wet work and 1 for dry) which are great, not too stiff, not too soft. A thorough brushing and vacuuming with a Henry vac will remove most loose dirt before going on to use a decent APC. I use Bilt Hamber Surfex HD at a relatively strong 10:1 dilution. Spray it on to a wet roof and work it in with the other Sonax brush then rinse well.

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I'm a huge fan of Sonax products and recently applied their Soft Top & Fabric Waterproof Impregnation to my hood after cleaning it as above. It's in the form of a runny white foam that you apply and work in with a sponge. Very easy to use, no waste, no overspray or product running down the glass and paintwork. Also, it cures quickly in only 1 hour. Although it's not a dye the product definitely darkens the hood material noticeably as you work it in. See photo below

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When cured the water beading and run-off is incredible, THE best I've seen...and I've tried a few ! Applying a waterproofer to the hood seems to be a contentious subject on here but in my experience the hood dries very quickly, stays cleaner longer and requires less maintenance other than a quick brush and rinse when washing the car

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=jJgX8VaBqmI ... marE6JChQQ

[Zedebee]

It is true the Milton will bleach your cloths if it splashes you (how do I know this), but it won’t harm the roof. Following another member’s suggestion I used a carpet cleaner to suck out the moisture on mine. It’s amazing the amount of filth that came out.

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[skelters]

Tbh I have been using the sponge but when I did the APC I used a really soft dish brush… I’ll give it a whirl again in the morning.

Interesting about the waterproofing

Clay bar will remove it.

[domsz4]

thanks for the pics... has it really been a month since i posted
diligent and many many goes with withe AG has got it pretty clean. i found a half used bottle of AG at the back of my car cleaining cupboard so just washed it over nd over between teams meetings till id used it all up!!
i then used what proofer i also had spare and it seems ok. will prob give it another go in the spring.

[bigwinn]

Enuff_zed

didn’t you get decent results with a Halfords cleaning product?

[domsz4]

tbf I've always used the autoglym kits in the past and always had decent results. just the hood is original and so i think would benefit from a recolour. Having said that it looks clean and is uniform when dry. cant really complain.

i did also find a leak. i thought i had a blocked drain or something as i was getting a lot if condensation on the rear screen and on the passenger side front screen but it turns out im getting a leak though the screw that holds the rear light cluster or a bit of trim where the gas strut sits