roof cleaning

[littlefeller]

would a hand held steam cleaner be any good at getting rid of mildew on the mohair roof?

[Robert T]

Wouldn't risk it. The proper convertible roof cleaner sprays are pretty good at getting most things out.

Cheers R.

[Mike]

Use MILTON on the mildew. It kills it dead and is safe on the roof

[gookah]

I always use a pressure washer and never get mould.
Some might baulk at the thought, but its the way you use it that means there is no damage.
Snow foam and a blast off...

[Batchem1]

Just did mine this afternoon with the Autoglym two-stage cleaner/proofer kit.
It's come up really well for not much effort.
Bought the Autoglym pack on Amazon - nearly half the Halfords price!

[geminimustang]

I'm with Batchem1.Autoglym from Amazon,bargain.

[snoops]

Another one for Autoglym but I have heard the Milton a few times ..

[zibomb]

I agree with the auto glym but I had to use it a few times. make sure you cover your paintwork as a few cloth roof cleaners can eat through some paint work. if you do get a marking on the paint a polisher and finishing pad should get it off.

[sirius-c]

I've used the Renovo dye, cleaner and finisher.

Although its a bit pricey, I can recommend the cleaner and finisher, But the dye didn't impress me much.
You apply all this stuff with a paint brush.

I think I'll give Autoglym's a go, but, could anyone recommend a decent BLACK dye? (dont mean to thread hijack, sorry in advance)

[snoops]

?......but, could anyone recommend a decent BLACK dye? (dont mean to thread hijack, sorry in advance)

How many coats of Renovo did you do ??

[sirius-c]

?......but, could anyone recommend a decent BLACK dye? (dont mean to thread hijack, sorry in advance)

How many coats of Renovo did you do ??

The full 500ml of the black dye, i think two or three coats

[sirius-c]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renovo-BLACK- ... OC:GB:3160

[snoops]

Had a discussion with other members recently about this, 1 coat will leave you with possibly bits you missed, 2 coats even coverage so 3 preferably 4 for a deep colour that will last longer but how faded your roof is to start off will also factor in, I would say 4 if it were mine.

[sirius-c]

problem with my roof is its looking very grey where the frame is underneath, im guessing its fitted to tight. But the whole roof was a very dark greyish colour to start with.

TBH it looked fantastic after cleaning then dying, but no matter how many coats i put on it just went dark grey again when it dried.

It really does look horrible been able to see the lighter areas where the roof is taught over the frame underneath

Maybe i should have bought two bottles and applied more coats as you suggest?

[snoops]

Renovo recommend at least 2 coats but also say 1 ltr is for 2 coats so I think you just haven't used enough product.

Check out their site CLICKY LINK info on there and you can buy it direct from them.

Watch out you don't get the stuff on your bodywork though its a bugger to remove. Best to mask out your window and drape sheets over your doors to prevent that, it's a job to do with care to get the best results.

[sirius-c]

Watch out you don't get the stuff on your bodywork though its a bugger to remove. Best to mask out your window and drape sheets over your doors to prevent that, it's a job to do with care to get the best results.

Good Advice..... too late for me though, as the stuff found its way down the drain holes and interior door cills were coated in the stuff, as was my garage floor

[snoops]

This was zippy when I did mine a few years ago






I went from cream to green to see if I liked the colour change, ended up with a new roof a couple of years later but was pleased with the Renovo.

[sirius-c]

wow, looks good and proves renovo works, must be an end user issue here with me

[snoops]

wow, looks good and proves renovo works, must be an end user issue here with me

Just get another bottle and have another go I'm sure it will turn out good. Use a 2" paintbrush and be sure to work it in the fabric. I loosened off my roof so I could get right down below the normal view line at the back then fastened roof back up when I finished to make the roof taught and stop any pooling of dye in the folds. Then just repeated that for each coat.

Post some before and after piccies and we can tell you if you can remove the dunces cap



p.s. sorry littlefeller for hijacking your thread but it is roof related

[littlefeller]

hijack away, its getting interesting. mine has a slightly lighter colour over the frame too. we need a roof sticky for all the tried that experiences and discuss all the options

[Southernboy]

A small tip when applying dye....because the roof is pulled taught over the metal bows when shut, the dye will have little to "key" into. I suggest you undo the interior latches and allow the roof fabric to "relax" before applying the dye. Leave the roof unlatched until you have applyed all the coats you wish, and then allow it to thoroughly dry before closing / latching it. This should allow the dye to permeate and evenly colour the fabric.

[snoops]

I loosened off my roof so I could get right down below the normal view line at the back then fastened roof back up when I finished to make the roof taught and stop any pooling of dye in the folds. Then just repeated that for each coat...

have to slightly disagree with you SB... my experience was if I didn't close the roof back up when finished and just re-work the 2 back panels adjacent to the rear window with the brush the dye did pond a bit, I saw it distinctly with the 1st coat having darker patches. .... So apply each coat with roof off the latches, wait until thoroughly soaked in then fasten roof and rework the 2 back panels with the brush ....It worked for me

[Southernboy]

....Or, don't apply so much dye at each coating, and apply more coats..so that it doesn't pool...

[kkkrisss]

Here is something that may help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01_0a1tQY9k

[littlefeller]

well, I just brought a steam cleaner for around the house, im going to give it a try on the roof (a hidden part first) I will post results when im done (we need a nervous smiley)

[sirius-c]

Good luck, I would be interested in how that fairs

[littlefeller]

will be doing this at the weekend, will post results either sat or sun.

[Del]

Best results I've had was using one of those "rug doctor" machines that you hire from places like B&Q to clean carpets - used the upholstery attachment and the rough sponge from an Autoglym kit to agitate the surface (cleaned some carpets in the house as well ). Added a coat of waterproofing afterwards and It came up like new even with a fresh looking sheen.

[littlefeller]

well it does work, but - yes theres a but, when dried it has lifted out a load of salt , this however just brushes off well im assuming it is salt, cant see what else it could be. just goes to show how much crap gets into the fabric, not surprising really, after a good run I get a real filly face suppose the best way would be to keep doing it till it stops coming out, or just use one of those rug doctors as used by del might give this a go next.