Getting stains out of soft top

[mikeyg07]

Hey everyone,

My Z4 roof has some marks on it (not sure what from as only recently took ownership) and I want to try and bring it back to life.

Would using a product like this be enough:https://www.autoglym.com/convertible-soft-top-clean-protect-complete-kit and following the instructions in this thread https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=37412 ?

Or is there something more hardcore I should do to give it a deep clean? It's the white marks I want to get out (see attached photo)

Thanks in advance!

 

[colb]

Various products out there for restoring the soft top example here with other products for hood care
https://www.renovointernational.com/car-care/soft-top-reviver.php
As yours is pretty bad it looks like it needs some colour restoring.
Personally I use a soloution of natural soap flakes to wash the hood using a small nail brush to work the dirt out of the material, rinse well with cold water and allow to dry. I then use standard Fabsil ten waterproofer simply painted on with a brush, I use a couple of coats but ensure the windows are masked off. Next time I do it I was going to use Fabsil Gold, have seen good reports on this so will give that a go. Both my Z3 and Z4 have been done this year so probably do them again in the spring. The Z3 is garaged but the Z4 lives outside on the drive.

 

[Danglesberries]

For the sake of a couple of quid, try scrubbing some undiluted Miltons sterilizing fluid into the whole roof. You'll be amazed at how much crud it gets out.

 

[colb]

Good call on the Milton sterilizing fluid especially if those white marks and spots are mold, it will kill the spores.

 

[mikeyg07]

Cheers guys - going to give them all a bash and see what happens!

 

[blunderthumbs]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=123810 Read this before you go applying Fabsil. :thumbsdown: I read it and decided to give it a miss. I just use Meguiars convertible top cleaner as per instructions and leave it at that.

 

[Chris_D]

The fabric roof is not meant to be waterproof or water-proofed, that function is taken care of by the waterproof membrane layer underneath. By applying a waterproofing agent to the hood all you will be doing is creating a moisture trap.

I had great results removing green mould and mildew from my hood by using simple undiluted white vinegar.
Apply/dab with a cloth, leave to soak in. Go back and work it in with a soft brush. Rinse with soapy water to get rid of the smell, then a final rinse with clear water. Mould’s never been back.

 

[Old-Duckman]

It sure looks like a pressure washer was used on it, those clean looking areas are where it was used, you can see the path the wand traveled.

Personally I have used cleaners sold for the cleaning and treating cloth tops. Raggtopp is my go to product at the present. When it is cleaned and treated, I vacuum the top more than I use soap and water. When I do scrub the top I use a soft natural bristled brush and brush with the grain of the cloth.

 

[mr.tourette]

tried all the soft top cleaners as I was pretty meticulous about having a clean roof and Auto Finesse was hands down the best

 

[Trav]

I have also found that removing debris while the softop is dry works well. As well as a hoover, I use one of those sticky tape rollers that you use of clothes. As per the first reply, if cleaning doesnt work, plenty of folk have used Renovo. Dont be scared to try colour restoring. Those white spots would need to be gently removed first though.

 

[Rockhopper]

Soapy water and a scrubbing brush - might take a few goes (or more!!) Don't apply anything afterwards. Milton etc will just bleach the colour out of any mildew etc that is in there but won't actually remove it.

 

[Danglesberries]

Soapy water and a scrubbing brush - might take a few goes (or more!!) Don't apply anything afterwards. Milton etc will just bleach the colour out of any mildew etc that is in there but won't actually remove it.

Milton DOES work! Try painting it on, leave for a few minutes then agitate and see the amount of green mould and crud that appears. Then just rinse it off. Stubborn stains may require more than one application. Of course it removes mildew etc, it's designed to primarily sterilize baby bottles

 

[mikeyg07]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=123810 Read this before you go applying Fabsil. :thumbsdown: I read it and decided to give it a miss. I just use Meguiars convertible top cleaner as per instructions and leave it at that.

I've ordered Autoglym Soft Top Cleaner and Soft Top Protector (https://www.autoglym.com/convertible-soft-top-clean-protect-complete-kit) - should I not use the Soft Top Protector then? Or is that different to a water proofing product?

 

[blunderthumbs]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=123810 Read this before you go applying Fabsil. :thumbsdown: I read it and decided to give it a miss. I just use Meguiars convertible top cleaner as per instructions and leave it at that.

I've ordered Autoglym Soft Top Cleaner and Soft Top Protector (https://www.autoglym.com/convertible-soft-top-clean-protect-complete-kit) - should I not use the Soft Top Protector then? Or is that different to a water proofing product?

Despite being given the Autoglym kit when I bought my Zed. I have not used it. I used the Meguiars convertible top cleaner and Like other forum members I am very pleased with the results. I've heard that some of the waterproofers shrink or make the outer canvas layer go stiff causing problems when opening and closing. :?