Cleaning roof

[Caz]

How does everyone clean the canvas roof ? I have some green on it from all the rain ( I do live in wales)
Previously used Auto Glym cleaner and protector from Halfords but I don’t think it fully cleans it

Can anyone recommend anything different ?

[enuff_zed]

Use Milton sterilising fluid first to kill off the algae.

[inkey$]

Use Milton sterilising fluid first to kill off the algae.

Same. Just did this a few weeks back…

1/ Wash and rinse
2/ Milton Sterilising tablet and water. Scrub with roof brush.
3/ Rinse
4/ Johnsons Baby Bath with roof brush (yes really!)
5/ Rinse
6/ AG Roof cleaner and fixer (optional overkill step)

[enuff_zed]

I actually found that Halfords own interior upholstery cleaner, used with a brush, does an excellent job too.

[True-Blue]

Use Milton sterilising fluid first to kill off the algae.

Same. Just did this a few weeks back…

1/ Wash and rinse
2/ Milton Sterilising tablet and water. Scrub with roof brush.
3/ Rinse
4/ Johnsons Baby Bath with roof brush (yes really!)
5/ Rinse
6/ AG Roof cleaner and fixer (optional overkill step)

This, although for me if you need to go to step 6, I’d use Bilt-Hamber Surfex HD APC, it’s the one thing in my detailing arsenal I’d never be without.

For most roofs the Steps 1-5 will be enough, with the Surfex HD in reserve

[Acestumacher]

I'm looking for a product called "miracle clean"!, I have tried everything that has been mentioned in this topic so far apart from Surfex HD and I also tried white vinegar, before and after pics.

[inkey$]

Could just be the photos, but those patches look worn/threadbare.

[Chris_D]

I spray strong, neat white vinegar and leave it to soak in overnight whenever mouldy patches appear.
Another spray the following day followed by a light wash with a soft wash mit. For any stubborn/deep patches you just need to let it soak a bit longer.
Pongs a bit but comes up like new every time. Been doing this over the last 6 years and it's a trick I garnered from my old man who's had ragtops his whole life.

You don't need an amoury of expensive cleaners and even light scrubbing is just going to help degrade the roof fabric over time. The white vinegar is as cheap as chips and 100% effective when used properly. The only drawback, as mentioned is that it can pong for a couple of days afterwards but it soon disappears, especially after the next wash.

Using a hardtop and/or covering the roof during the colder, wetter months also helps.

[Acestumacher]

Could just be the photos, but those patches look worn/threadbare.

I took a picture and zoomed in and then took a screen shot on my phone, must admit I am worried I have been scrubbing too hard.

[inkey$]

Could just be the photos, but those patches look worn/threadbare.

I took a picture and zoomed in and then took a screen shot on my phone, must admit I am worried I have been scrubbing too hard.

I'd give Chris_D's idea a go, and if that doesn't move it then it may be fabric density related

[enuff_zed]

Could just be the photos, but those patches look worn/threadbare.

I took a picture and zoomed in and then took a screen shot on my phone, must admit I am worried I have been scrubbing too hard.

I'd give Chris_D's idea a go, and if that doesn't move it then it may be fabric density related

When I saw this a week or two back it almost looked like white paint, though more likely to be pigeon crap. My lad lost a patch of paint off his Fiesta after he left pigeon s**t on his car too long. I think this could be a similar issue and the vinegar may be the next solution to try.

[DMike]

Just an idea… Never used one myself, but I remember a thread with someone using a wet vacuum to pull lots of dirt out from the fabric.

[millview22]

Have a look at Car Cleaning Guru on YouTube - he recently cleaned the roof of a MX5, which was in very poor condition.

[Chris_D]

Have a look at Car Cleaning Guru on YouTube - he recently cleaned the roof of a MX5, which was in very poor condition.

My nephew asked me about that video as he's just bought himself an MX5.
OMFG, major cringe with the amount of scrubbing he did on that roof!!
He's probably taken at least 10 years out of it's life! It's amazing he didn't wear holes into it!
My nephew followed my (and his granddad's) method to tackle the mould on his own roof. It took over a week of applying and re-applying white vinegar, letting it soak in and do it's own work before lightly washing and it's come up like brand new!

As an impatient Gen z'er he wanted an instant result but wisely he decided to bide his time and is now glad he did.
You can also make your own vinegar solution by mixing acetic acid with distilled or demineralised water.
It's the ONLY method you need to use unless of course, you're an impatient sod.

[DMike]

Have a look at Car Cleaning Guru on YouTube - he recently cleaned the roof of a MX5, which was in very poor condition.

It was growing moss One more winter and there would have been ferns and amanitas, too.