Waterproofing E85 roof?

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 4:28 pm

Fully cleaned my roof a few weeks ago. Followed up with AG roof cleaner spray and left it to dry. When I took the car out last week it decided to rain heavily and I noticed zero beading on the roof - just a wet, saturated outer skin.

Now, this isn't a surprise to me as I didn't use any kind of waterproofing agent on the fabric, but is the general advice to re=proof it from time to time or just leave it? I've seen posts on here saying you should never add a waterproofing agent as the roof is designed to cope with the water soak, but others who swear by Renovo.

Added a poll for interest too.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:55 pm

The argument is that water passes through the top layer and there is a layer of rubber (or suchlike) underneath which makes it waterproof. So in that case, no you don't need to waterproof it.
I have heard that some products make it stiffer and harder to fold? I've no experience of that.
My take on it is that what harm can a spray waterproof such as the AG one do?
Does it matter if the water doesn't reach the rubber layer?
I also wonder if the roof was waterproofed, would that prevent rainwater from carrying the algae spores under the outer layer and perhaps cut down on the green spots we get?
Dunno the answer to that, but yes, I use the AG waterproofing spray and have never had any issues.
If anyone can give me a valid reason for not using a waterproofer, other than 'you don't need to', then I will possibly change my mind.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:10 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:55 pm The argument is that water passes through the top layer and there is a layer of rubber (or suchlike) underneath which makes it waterproof. So in that case, no you don't need to waterproof it.
I have heard that some products make it stiffer and harder to fold? I've no experience of that.
My take on it is that what harm can a spray waterproof such as the AG one do?
Does it matter if the water doesn't reach the rubber layer?
I also wonder if the roof was waterproofed, would that prevent rainwater from carrying the algae spores under the outer layer and perhaps cut down on the green spots we get?
Dunno the answer to that, but yes, I use the AG waterproofing spray and have never had any issues.
If anyone can give me a valid reason for not using a waterproofer, other than 'you don't need to', then I will possibly change my mind.

Cheers Martin. Similar thought process as me at the moment. Which AG product do you use to reproof?

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:25 pm

Chiming in, similar to enuff_zed I have been waterproofing the fabric. I’ve reasoned that waterproofing the top layer wouldn’t do any harm as any water that could get between the fabric and the insulating layer still can evaporate away. And as circumstantial evidence, BMW does make a fabric kit, with cleaner and water proofing, for their soft tops… I’ve used the AG kit (the one for fabric hoods, not vinyl) and the BMW kit, which I like marginally more.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:27 pm

Good info, DMike. Thanks

paddy wright · Post by **paddy wright** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:15 pm

I never waterproofed but the AG kit did give beading after I used it.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:37 pm

inkey$ wrote: ↑Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:10 pm Which AG product do you use to reproof?

The spray one that comes in the pack with the cleaner.

PerryGunn · Post by **PerryGunn** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:54 pm

Having used it for over 10 years, I can recommend Gtechniq I1 Smart Fabric for the roof - it's breathable, doesn't affect the colour and water just beads and runs off.

https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto/in ... fabric-ab/

Amazing stuff - I've also used it to waterproof fabric shoes...

You can even make water-repellent kleenex...

...or kitchen roll

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 8:25 pm

Cheers gents.

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:22 am

I believe has been the odd case of roofs not being able to close properly after years of using the waterproofing agents due to them stiffening the fabric but they are pretty isolated. When I had my e85 I did it a few times until the Autoglym ran out but didn't bother buying more as technically it doesn't actually need it, never had any issues with the roof either way

coldel · Post by **coldel** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:00 am

When I had my old VX220 I used something called 303 - it came in a kit with a cleaner and fabric guard. Some of the VX220 guys recommended it as a kind of 'sssshhhhh no one knows about this but its bloody brilliant' - almost like some foretelling, the box had a Z4 on the front of it!

I took a video the following day after applying it, I watch it occasionally as its oddly satisfying

https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:02 am

coldel wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:00 am When I had my old VX220 I used something called 303 - it came in a kit with a cleaner and fabric guard. Some of the VX220 guys recommended it as a kind of 'sssshhhhh no one knows about this but its bloody brilliant' - almost like some foretelling, the box had a Z4 on the front of it!

I took a video the following day after applying it, I watch it occasionally as its oddly satisfying

[youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU[/youtube]

Thats incredible!

Umfaan · Post by **Umfaan** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:13 am

Autoglym

: 1BD7FC97-3482-42C4-8BC6-4AA5C6CA19D2.jpeg (229.96 KiB) Viewed 821 times

coldel · Post by **coldel** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:23 am

inkey$ wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:02 am
coldel wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:00 am When I had my old VX220 I used something called 303 - it came in a kit with a cleaner and fabric guard. Some of the VX220 guys recommended it as a kind of 'sssshhhhh no one knows about this but its bloody brilliant' - almost like some foretelling, the box had a Z4 on the front of it!

I took a video the following day after applying it, I watch it occasionally as its oddly satisfying

[youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU[/youtube]
Thats incredible!

Yes its bonkers isnt it. I used it on the VX220 for two years and had no problems. Cant comment on any longer term impacts (if any) beyond two years though.

darich · Post by **darich** » Wed May 10, 2023 9:01 am

I used Renovo Ultraproofer on my roadster many years ago. Couple of coats of that worked a treat. No colour change, no issues with stiffness and water would bead on the roof too

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