Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
matchy
Joined: Fri 26 May, 2006 21:29
Posts: 116

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Truro

Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by matchy »

Hi , With such a wet " summer " my z has a large amount of green mould ingrained into the convertible top , and I cannot remove it . has this happened to anyone ? cheers .
User avatar
Ian_C
Joined: Sun 10 Dec, 2006 20:10
Posts: 2415

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Lytham St Annes

Post by Ian_C »

Get yourself an Autoglym hood cleaner and proofer kit (approx £20). You might need 2 applications of the cleaner if the hood is very mouldy.

Enjoy :wink:
User avatar
Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

The Autoglym proofer is both good in that it really does protect your roof for a long time, and bad that it prevents you from re-dyeing the roof if the colour starts to fade.

If you think the roof needs a dye treatment, do this after the washing, but before the proofer, or be prepared to wait in excess of a year for the proofer to wear off.
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
User avatar
TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

Can vouch for the Autoglym kit, did of good job of cleaning the roof and the proofer is great, water just rolls off. Word of caution when applying the proofer, make sure the rest of the car is covered before spraying it on as once it drys on the glass and bodywork its a complete pain to remove.
Image
2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
User avatar
calbens
Joined: Mon 12 Dec, 2005 23:21
Posts: 1213

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Appley Bridge
Contact:

Post by calbens »

Hi Matchy,

I've had the same problem with my hood this year :head:
On previous occasions I have used the Autoglym Hood Kit and it's worked a treat, but not this year. I've actually spot treated the said green bits at least 4 times and nothing seems to be shifting it. The rest of the hood is sparkly clean apart from the few patches on top and what seems to be a line at the very front of the hood.
I feel reluctant to use the renovo black, only because I quite like the stitching contrasting (a tiny detail I know) with the hood. :nerd:
RonZ
Joined: Sun 13 May, 2007 13:51
Posts: 80

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by RonZ »

Try BMWs own hood cleaner and re-proofer worked wonders on my roof. I got a bucket of green water from mine. Costs £26 20 for the two.
matchy
Joined: Fri 26 May, 2006 21:29
Posts: 116

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Truro

Post by matchy »

Thanks for the replies , I have used the BMW roof cleaner and impregnating fluid , usually with good results but this year I just can't shift this " green stuff " ! ... I am now going over it with a brush and water , using the cleaner creates a foam that prevents you seeing the mould . cheers .
dalboy
Joined: Mon 10 Oct, 2005 09:39
Posts: 30

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Post by dalboy »

I also have this problem, but havent used any previous kits in the past ive just neglected my hood.

I think ill try water and brush first then get a kit.
///M_aniac
Z Register member
Joined: Sat 30 Jul, 2005 19:34
Posts: 4054

  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Post by ///M_aniac »

dalboy wrote:I also have this problem, but havent used any previous kits in the past ive just neglected my hood.

I think ill try water and brush first then get a kit.
Water and brush will not shift it alone. You will need to get some Autoglym or the BMW stuff for a good result.
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

Image - The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
dalboy
Joined: Mon 10 Oct, 2005 09:39
Posts: 30

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Post by dalboy »

///M_aniac wrote:
dalboy wrote:I also have this problem, but havent used any previous kits in the past ive just neglected my hood.

I think ill try water and brush first then get a kit.
Water and brush will not shift it alone. You will need to get some Autoglym or the BMW stuff for a good result.
Right OK, thanks.
User avatar
Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

As for rubber components? I have tried for the past year to fix the seals where the roof meets the windscreen, to no avail, and have had to resort to using petroleum jelly to seal it properly. If I didn't use it, the usual sign first thing in the morning was to find a wet floor and seat. I went and ordered a spray can of the new gummi pflege (rubber care in english) from BMW, sprayed it on a rag, and applied it four or five times along all the rubber seals.

Problem solved :D
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
User avatar
muppet
Joined: Wed 08 Feb, 2006 17:16
Posts: 1841

  Z4 sDrive20i M Sport
Location: Roof down getting a tan

Post by muppet »

when i first got my Zed it had green stuff round the roof near the the bodywork, when i washed the car i just went round the foor woth a damp sponge and let it dry. Since then regular use has kept it away .
Image
I have been diagnosed with ADHOTS. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Ohh That's Shiney
Jonathan S
Joined: Sun 03 Apr, 2016 06:31
Posts: 6

  Z4 roadster 3.0i

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Jonathan S »

Matchy I had this same problem and after a long search and many tries i found something that really worked for me. I also tried just water and brush just like dalboy suggested but with no results and I wasted so much time. If you still need an advice my convertible top looks like new after i cleaned up using Autoglym Fabric Hood Maintenance Kit. It's not cheap, but it's effective.There's a Fabric Roof Cleaner kit - cleaner plus sponge-thingy. And then, to prevent future problems, a Fabric Roof Protector. You could do a small test area first. Hope this is of use to you.
Zed Carer
Joined: Thu 13 Dec, 2007 20:27
Posts: 1642

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Wakefield

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Zed Carer »

Jonathan S wrote:Posted 04/04/16: Matchy I had this same problem and after a long search and many tries i found something that really worked for me. I also tried just water and brush just like dalboy suggested but with no results and I wasted so much time. If you still need an advice my convertible top looks like new after i cleaned up using Autoglym Fabric Hood Maintenance Kit. It's not cheap, but it's effective.There's a Fabric Roof Cleaner kit - cleaner plus sponge-thingy. And then, to prevent future problems, a Fabric Roof Protector. You could do a small test area first. Hope this is of use to you.
Great thread resurrection to one posted in Sep 2008 - 7.5 years must be a record :D
Hers: Z4 2.0i Sp --------------------- His: Z3 2.8
Image
srichards
Joined: Sun 11 Oct, 2015 08:24
Posts: 61

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by srichards »

The meguiars hood cleaner seems to be much better than the autoglym. You work it in with a nail brush or similar. Then wash it off. It seems to remove more of the green. Then I treat it with either autoglym hood treater or the meguiars version.

If it is still green then hood dye is the best bet. I just paint on some more over the green bits and blend in. I use a small artists paint brush. It's lethal stuff as it always dribbles somewhere it shouldn't. You have to wipe it off with a damp cloth within milliseconds or it won't come off ever.
Lewy
Joined: Mon 22 Oct, 2012 17:34
Posts: 206

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Wolverhampton

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Lewy »

Can't beat renovo, cleaner, dye and proofer, even comes with a polish for the plastic window.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Image
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by peter2b »

I used autoglym on my hood let year work fine ,got crossed fingers as next week end I'm taking the hard top off :?
peter2b
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by mrscalex »

I've just had a new rear window put in and while I was there the intention was to steam clean the roof as well as he said it was the only type of cleaning required.

For technical reasons he couldn't do the whole roof. But he demo'd how to do it properly on the front half. Note you don't just point and shoot. There's a whole method associated with it to do it properly and in-particular not destroy the stitching.

My misfortune in not being able to have the whole roof done is everyone else's gain as it shows you before and after. The cleaned section came up literally like brand new. Absolutely pristine and jet black.

No further treatment required. No dye needed as it's jet black now. And no waterproofer needed as there is a second skin on the inside - evidenced by no leakage even with 80 deg steam hitting it. He dislikes Renovo and all treatment products.

The only downside is steam cleaning will exploit any leaks you have around the window.

Anyway, here's the pic.

Image

The cost for the clean is £30. The specialist is Tony at Soft Tops in Coventry. He's been doing soft tops for nearly 30 years so he certainly knows his stuff.

And here's the rear window. Immaculate job. Tony re-uses the existing zip and sews a new piece of vinyl in. Much nicer than having a stitched window. This job is £130 normally. My roof and stitching is structurally well past its best though (even if it looks nice in the first pic) and the job ended up quite complicated. So I did pay more than this in the end. But it was worth it.

Image
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
Zed Carer
Joined: Thu 13 Dec, 2007 20:27
Posts: 1642

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Wakefield

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Zed Carer »

mrscalex wrote:I've just had a new rear window put in and while I was there the intention was to steam clean the roof as well as he said it was the only type of cleaning required.

For technical reasons he couldn't do the whole roof. But he demo'd how to do it properly on the front half. Note you don't just point and shoot. There's a whole method associated with it to do it properly and in-particular not destroy the stitching.
The roof looks really good and the price seems very reasonable. I have (well Mrs ZC has) a steam cleaner so any tips on the technique? I was thinking of cleaning along the surface rather than down on to the roof, a bit like using the power washer.

Keep going and you'll have a great looking Zed.
Hers: Z4 2.0i Sp --------------------- His: Z3 2.8
Image
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by mrscalex »

Zed Carer wrote:
mrscalex wrote:so any tips on the technique?
You need an industrial steam cleaner not a domestic one (sorry). They cost £100+ to hire for a day. So arguably this is not a DIY job unless you know someone with such a beast. You'll only tickle it with a domestic cleaner. An industrial cleaner runs around 100 bar and to put things in perspective a domestic one runs at 3-4 bar.

I'm sure Tony would prefer you to go and see him and I don't think £30 is expensive to get it done right without damaging it. But the single most important thing is not to wreck your stitching. Run the fan from the lance with the stitching and not across it. You could weaken the stitching or rip it out otherwise. It's fine if you follow the line.

Other than that I just have a mental image of the size of the fan from the lance and distance from the roof which is difficult to articulate. But go in gradually to find the optimum distance.

Other excellent soft top specialists are available but whether they all have a steam cleaner and know how to use it properly I don't know. I would certainly avoid someone who happens to have a steam cleaner and stick with a soft top expert. And definitely don't cold water pressure wash.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by mrscalex »

I was also advised one of the key ways to tell if your roof is knackered.

If the line of the roof arches over the middle of the doors and in particular if it starts revealing the rubber door seal then the roof has shrunk across its width.

The door rubber is not the first/only line of defence against water ingress. It should be the roof. For this to happen the roof has to come down as far as the lower edge of the door rubber. When Tony builds new roofs he builds a little extra overlap in so the roof comes down just below the line of the door rubber.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by mrscalex »

And one final thing. New roofs can be had for as little as £280 I think I was quoted by one specialist.

Tony is by no means expensive but his charge is 2-3 times that. And there's a reason for it...

I've seen one of these cheap roofs fitted. The material looked cheap and shiney (synthetic) and certainly wasn't canvas OEM spec. It wasn't double skin and it had a stitched in rear window.

I haven't see one of Tony's roofs but I would expect the price to reflect having one built to OEM spec.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
Wookee
Joined: Thu 10 Dec, 2015 19:45
Posts: 166

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Herts

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Wookee »

My roof looked like the one above until I followed an online tip and used Milton fluid diluted 1 part to 5 parts hot water and then worked in with a scrubbing brush. I then used diluted Johnsons baby bath to clean it afterwards and then about three coats of waterproofer. I have a jet black, clean and waterproof hood now :D
User avatar
Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by Robert T »

...and baby-soft skin!
Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Image
gookah
Z Register member
Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Cleaning green mould off soft top and rubber components

Post by gookah »

I blast my roof with the pressure washer every time I clean the car, Snow foam then 140 bar. No green mould in sight.
Obviously its a fan spray and not at 90 degrees, My roof has been on 3 years now with no mould and no leaks and no treatment. and it gets washed very regularly! and my wifes is still original roof.
Been pressure washing soft tops for 8 years without an issue
besides the steamed part doesn't seen to be doing the stitching much good.

stop being big girls... :D
Image

Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
Post Reply