Waterproofing E85 roof?

Poll Poll E85: re-waterproof fabric roof or not

  • Clean only, never re-proof

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • Clean and reproof

    Votes: 6 66.7%
  • Total voters
    9
inkey$

inkey$

Lifer
 Sevenoaks & Suffolk
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.
 
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.
 
enuff_zed said:
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.
Click to expand...
Cheers Martin. Similar thought process as me at the moment. Which AG product do you use to reproof?
 
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.
 
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/interior/i1-smart-fabric-ab/

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

You can even make water-repellent kleenex...
[youtube]4tFodfVpx-k[/youtube]

...or kitchen roll
[youtube]s17FPDQ7EfU[/youtube]
 
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
 
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 :lol:

https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU
 
coldel said:
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 :lol:

[youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Thats incredible!
 
inkey$ said:
coldel said:
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 :lol:

[youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/NrmSxJ8umZU[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Thats incredible!
Click to expand...

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.
 
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom