Roof treatments - is it really worth it?

R

Rich88

Member
With summer fast coming to an end, my thoughts have turned to my soft top and what I need to do to keep it looking nice throughout the winter.

I should add that the car is a daily driver and that I don't have a hard top for it.

My questions are as follows:

1. Is it worth it? I have a few fold marks on the roof which I'd like to be rid of. But otherwise it's a pretty much pitch black colour. I've read that it can be a bit of a pain to keep the stuff off the paintwork etc. Is it really that much of a challenge?

2. If it is indeed worth doing, is there much difference in the products available on the market? Which products do I need? Is it just one solution or is there a primer, main coat and then a sealant etc etc.
 
BMW sell a cleaner and sealant for soft tops, I used them on my last Z4 and will do so again before winter. Since I don't have a garage I reckon it can't do any harm.
 
Thanks - does it actually 'stain' the roof back to its original colour. I'd like to make the slightly lighter fold marks the same colour as the rest of the roof.
 
From what I remember it doesn't stain - it cleans, it's more of a protection care kit rather than a rejuvenation kit.

edit: http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/owners/accessories/accessoryDetail.accessoryId=246.html
 
That looks a good and easy - will certainly get some of that. Do you know about the dyes, though? Would like to use them in addition.
 
Rich88 said:
That looks a good and easy - will certainly get some of that. Do you know about the dyes, though? Would like to use them in addition.
Click to expand...

I've no experience with dyes, I am ok with slight crease marks so long as roof is protected. Dyes seem a whole lot of effort and have mixed results reading some of the threads on here.

edit: search 'renovo' for dying advice - lots of threads :thumbsup:
 
Stick to a cleaner and protector. Ragtop do one too and that's highly recommended. I've used it for years on mine, although I also have a hardtop for winter.

Dyes seem to give short lived results and my personal opinion is they clog the fabric weave that is designed to be porous
 
I clean the top often with regular car wash soap just fine. Top is still pristine. Twice to three times a year I will put sealant on it which really helps with keeping little bits of water from seeping in. However, the top still gets wet if theres heavy rain, but the sealant works for a good few months.
 
I've just used the Autoglym kit on mine. The roof is nice and clean and the water seems to bead well.

Mine is garaged so only something I'll do once a year
 
Oh I should also add i'm rarely ever garaged, only when a heavy snow storm is known to be headed my way. So back to your original question, yes I think roof treatments are worth it. Dyes, no.. but sealants for sure, and its only like $20 for a bottle that's lasted me the length of my ownership and I still got a ton, 2 years or so.
 
Autoglym works for me twice a year over the last two years and no garage also daily driver.
 
Autoglym for me too. We had massive downpour today and watched the water roll off top. Comes as kit with cleaner and applicator for cleaner
 
autoglym again here. the difference after was great. take te time to follow the instructions. i found that a decent brush before hand and a thorough hoover over with a stiff brush attachment also helped (my henry as a sort of rectangular "upholstery" attachment)
 
Another vote for Autoglym from me. Mine is garaged at night but outside all day, so it seems the right thing to do to stop the water penetrating the cloth. Not much cash and only takes a few minutes to do.

You do have to be careful not to get it on the paintwork and the windows as it's a bugger to get off once it's dried, as the current state of my side and rear windows prove! Certainly best to do it either in the garage or on a very still day.
 
I use Grangers XT Waterproofer spray (can't get Raggtopp or most of the 'recommended' products here). The main thing to remember is to make sure it's NOT silicone based - the soft top needs to stay breathable, and silicone products will block this.
 
Autoglym for me too! Did mine last year and it's still just about beading now when it rains. Mine has been living outdoors too.
 
Another vote for Autoglym, but I'm sure other kits do the same job.

Two proper cleans a year plus a half cover was my way back to an OEM appearance. I bought a bottle of Renovo dye but don't think I'll use it now. Using a cover or garage makes a massive difference - it doesn't feel like you are going back to square one every time you clean the hood.
 
there was a post on here were a member did some treatment to his roof and he used one of those disposable plastic decorating sheets wit good effect across the screen and rear. I did similar after reading the thread. Just remember that the doors need to open and the windows drop slightly when they do so you cant tape it all up real tight :) like i did.
 
I used a cheap turtle way canvas softop care kit, came with a bottle of cleaner and a bottle of protector, was cheap and seems to work just fine, still think the biggest noticeable difference comes from running the vac over it
 
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