Fabric roof cleaner recommendations

J

Jlwhitmore

New member
Hi All

Just bought my first Z4 and wondered if anyone has a recommendation for fabric roof cleaner and proofer?

Thanks all

J
 
I used this with good results
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WIF4NI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RTsrDbKEAFWE6
 
Two schools of thought.

Commercial dye sealer kits or just vacuum dirt off and wash/remove green gunk - I'm with the second and about £25 a time better off :thumbsup:

The roof has three layers. The outer fabric which is designed to be porous; then a waterproof membrane and on the inside the inner head lining.

On a dry day brush the roof with a stiff DRY scrubbing brush and vacuum the rubbish away (yes the neighbours will "talk" about you - but they don't have a Zed); three or four cap fulls of Milton fluid (yes the stuff you cleaned the kids bottles with when they were babies) in a bucket of hotish water then use the scrubbing brush to work a small area at a time about the size of your hand - you should see a greenish run-off. Work small areas and keep track of where you've been. You will have to open the roof a little to get under the lip above the boot. This stage will remove the green algae and slow its return (I do mine twice a year spring and autumn). Then wash with hot soapy water as normal. Takes about 40min and costs next to nothing. OK; you don't get the beading every time it rains but on the other hand it doesn't look like the fabrics got a fake tan.

Of course you may be of the first school but once done there's no going back!

Oh and by the way; congratulations on getting a roadster and finding the forum - how about a newbie thread and some photos?
 
Why Milton's? What is it that kills the green gunk?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-mould-mildew-cleaner-1ltr/31686?tc=CT1&ds_kid=92700023752829205&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1243318&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ZTqBRBZEiwAHHxpfm2WbefmfWqP2-xkqe-B0g95n5MM6Ba3napzpikwvEYQou_oHat-iBoCTrcQAvD_BwE#product_additional_details_container

Would this be any good ?
 
road warrior said:
Why Milton's? What is it that kills the green gunk?
Click to expand...

Its a mild sterilising solution - you could use bleach but you're more likely to turn the fabric white or rot it. Miltons fluid is sold to 'kill germs' so it will kill the algae but not damage the roof.
 
Am I right in thinking mildew is created by a warm Wet car in a closed garage?
Customer I never put my car away if it's wet and close the door.
 
I think most folk have the mildew growing on the edges where you can't see it easily, so getting to it is even harder
 
road warrior said:
What about no nonsense mildew remover?
Click to expand...

No idea - its your roof :lol: just have a hose pipe ready in case it all goes wrong

I use this https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=milton%20fluid&icid=tescohp_sws-1_m-ft_in-milton%20fluid_ab-226-b_out-milton%20fluid

I recon it will last me a least five years! - it was recommended on the forum a few years back and kinda make sense if its safe for babies bottles /dummies etc. but does the job it can't damage the fabric.
 
I have to park under trees (garage is full of classics) so the roof collects stuff dripping of the trees and lots of bird sh1t. I think the algae / mildew spores are in the air and any damp surface will allow it to develop. The beauty of the fluid is that it flows into all the corners and folds of the roof and through the fabric so a good rinse and its all gone (till next time). The treatment is only for the outside though.

Any internal damp and the aircon would sort it. In my ford tintop I always had the aircon on - cool dry in summer and hot dry in winter.
 
Auto finesse rag top, tried it this year after previously using Autoglym and the roof looks so much better this year :D :thumbsup:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Finesse-Rag-Hood-Cleaner/dp/B0744MMBKC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rag+top+cleaner&qid=1564818310&s=gateway&sr=8-1

picked it up at ECP tho as it was about 8 quid with the discount code
 
mr.tourette said:
Auto finesse rag top, tried it this year after previously using Autoglym and the roof looks so much better this year :D :thumbsup:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Finesse-Rag-Hood-Cleaner/dp/B0744MMBKC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rag+top+cleaner&qid=1564818310&s=gateway&sr=8-1

picked it up at ECP tho as it was about 8 quid with the discount code
Click to expand...

So that's just a cleaner rather than a sealing treatment then?
 
Crazy Harry said:
mr.tourette said:
Auto finesse rag top, tried it this year after previously using Autoglym and the roof looks so much better this year :D :thumbsup:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Finesse-Rag-Hood-Cleaner/dp/B0744MMBKC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rag+top+cleaner&qid=1564818310&s=gateway&sr=8-1

picked it up at ECP tho as it was about 8 quid with the discount code
Click to expand...

So that's just a cleaner rather than a sealing treatment then?
Click to expand...

Yes.. they do sell a separate sealer if you want it but I dont bother :thumbsup:
 
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