Getting rid of mould, algae and creases on your soft top.

E

EdsTTer

Member
Lymm, Cheshire
I've found that a gentle steaming using the nozzle attachment on the missus' Shark Steam Cleaner does a pretty good job at shifting the stubborn algae and mould spots.

I was inspired to give it a go after seeing this:

http://allthatgleams.co.uk/soft-top-cleaning/steam-cleaning-mercedes-e320-cabriolet-roof/

Anyone else tried steaming their soft top?

Next time I'll borrow my brother's wall paper steamer as I think a simple hose will be more practical.
 
EdsTTer said:
I've found that a gentle steaming using the nozzle attachment on the missus' Shark Steam Cleaner does a pretty good job at shifting the stubborn algae and mould spots.

I was inspired to give it a go after seeing this:

http://allthatgleams.co.uk/soft-top-cleaning/steam-cleaning-mercedes-e320-cabriolet-roof/

Anyone else tried steaming their soft top?

Next time I'll borrow my brother's wall paper steamer as I think a simple hose will be more practical.
Click to expand...

Cleaning areas of the car with steam has always worried me, specifically around potentially hazardous areas. As it's water vapour, it's smaller particles than running water, meaning it can get into smaller places... like engine parts, roof parts, etc... Carpets and other removable parts, fine...

A simple soft brush and water soapy water will provide the same results as above, so I'd question why risk it.
 
If you use Macguires roof cleaner followed by their proofer, you can't go far wrong. Spray plenty on, leave for 5 minutes and then rub in briskly with a sponge. Amazing the amount of gunge and crap it dissolves. It will foam up massively but use plenty of water to disperse and leave to dry. Spray with re-proofer and the results are excellent.
 
I used this stuff with some good results on my heavily soiled roof.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/303-fabric/vinyl-convertible-top-cleaner/prod_487.html
 
They're all much of a muchness - all effectively "glorified" All Purpose Cleaners. In all honesty, you could get away (and I do) with just using any old APC (Daisy from Tesco's @ £1, Meguiars Hyper Wash which dilutes infinitely).
 
If you have stubborn green algae get some baby bottle steriliser. Kills it off nicely and it's cheap, you'll use very little out of a bottle so it should last years and years for retreatments.
 
Nice one, will try that stuff next time. Some of this so called specialist car roof cleaner/proofer is getting quite expensive with varying degrees of effectiveness.
 
Herminator said:
If you have stubborn green algae get some baby bottle steriliser. Kills it off nicely and it's cheap, you'll use very little out of a bottle so it should last years and years for retreatments.
Click to expand...

I use Milton sterilising tablets & agree about overpriced sutomotive cleaning products :thumbsup:
Regards
 
Rorybeanbutler said:
Hahaha no rust here. Or wind noise. Or scuttle shake.
Click to expand...
As the Z4 was designed as a convertible from the outset, one thing the roadster doesn't suffer from is noticeable scuttle shake

Torsional rigidity is 14,500 Nm/deg which compares favorably with a lot of fixed-top cars - e.g. E46 Coupe (12,500 Nm/deg) or the Dodge Viper (7,600 Nm/deg)

Admittedly the E86 is even stiffer at 32,000 Nm/deg but it had a very stiff starting point by using the roadster platform
 
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