Pretty much used this exact method on my old mx5. I used to use a watering can/hose instead of a pressure washer on an older hood (like my old one) as they can blow the stitching if you aren’t careful. Very informative 👍 Milton steriliser if you’re cheap like me and want the mould gone forever
Great video, this made caring for a soft-top look so much easier than the others who say that the deep clean pictured in this video should be performed once every two weeks, and that you need to avoid the UV rays of the sun when cleaning/applying protection. I am really interested in the subject since I want an MX5, but I can only fit in the soft-top.
yer really enjoyed it Dave, these guys have exceptional knowledge and I love going up there to visit them. watching ian do this work makes me want to actually go and try it and the gtechniq product seems to have worked really well.
Liking huge majority of your video's but not this one I'm afraid, just as well it was not yourself advising! Soft Top advice is do not use a high pressure washer, but to use a normal hose pipe sprinkler, use a new good close knit sponge to apply cleaner, ensure roof is dry before applying protecter ensuring you clean any spillage on glass and paintwork. Hope this helps for whoever reads it.
Angelwax excelsior is the best fabric roof cleaner I’ve used👍 foams up really well and contains a uv protectant. After washing I use angelwax shield to protect it. I also use 303 fabric protect once a year😉
Thanks for this video, just bought my first Modern Classic with a Fabric roof, had no idea how to clean/look after it , steady away seems to be the method. Would be useful to see if there are any new/alternative products now avaliable, time for an updated vid Jon?
Great video thank you.Please tell me if it's safe to apply Fabsil (since it is a silicone based water proofer),on top of Renovo Reviver (water based)? Also If I have Renovo Ultra Proofer on my soft top at present, what do I use to clean the top so to get ready to take Fabsil? thank you for your patience
I loved this video very much it is right up my alley thank you very much more please John I know it took you a lot of effort but believe me it’s appreciated
like ian said your just really putting detergent into the fabric thats going to be a bit harder to remove and it will mask the proofing a bit. So it makes sense hoover the roof before you wash you car as you weekly maintainence. then wash the rest of the car. Avoiding washing the roof with the pre wash. so no major harm but just perhaps not recomended.
i would have taped round the rim of the hood and paint to prevent scratches not use my hand in a rubber glove, rinsing i would have adjusted my pressure but i get not everyone can, i also wouldn't spray on i1 fabric but either brush or sponge it on spray just goes all over the car
I've got a 2005 Audi A4 cab. The roof was full of algae, rear window falling out and demister wasn't working all over. I decided to get a brand new hood for just over £1000. The roof design is better as the window is stitched in and I can make a fresh start. The only product I've tried is autoglym now I don't mind their other stuff but the roof clean and protector do not see very good on old or new hoods. It's interesting you don't cover their product. I have learnt quite a bit on this and would definitely apply with a soft brush next time. I applied a half a bottle of protector and it's not beading.
I'm new to valeting, I used c.10% APC Surfex, dwelled 10 mins cool March day, light scrub , power washed lightly , rubbed again with cloth, small amount brush, power washed again, light rub, and light scrub, and final power wash more intensive, result was good. Is this what the valeters would do as a first pass ? Now watching a few soft top videos it looks like a power washer is a no no. Hmmmm, there is light and heavy power washing
Lol at the chap saying “make sure the windows are closed first”. Really makes no difference on a MGTF water just seeps in at the window tops🤣. I had an MGTF sunstorm special edition. 2004 bought for £17k to 2008 sold for £1000 🤬. Use to get regular wet seats. Was worst with the hard top. But brings back memories....😱 2x head gasket changes windscreen wipers popping off on the motorway cost me a fortune in repairs😰🤑. But still loved washing it.
Hi Jon, sometimes hoovering the roof isn’t enough and it needs a wash. What is the best way to do this whilst not compromising the protection. Ps just got my daughter a convertible beetle and used the aerospace 303 protector
so if required rinse off loose dirt, APC, brush, rinse, extract (optional). yer fair play sometimes it will get muddy or covered in film and need a "wet wash".
I just checked the manual for my Z4 and it doesn’t warn against using a pressure washer on the roof, so I think it probably is generally OK to use a pressure washer on soft tops. I wouldn’t, though, as I’ve seen examples on online forums of pressure washing convertible roofs doing damage to the finish.
@@Jackster A pressure sprayer is a pump with manually pumped air pressure , basically you don't need to trigger spray ,much faster and you don't get tired
@@dimmacommunication sorry, I misunderstood! I used a pressure sprayer once to apply BMW's own-brand convertible top sealant and it worked really well. I think a paintbrush is my favourite application method though, as it's tricky to control overspray when using a spray bottle or pump sprayer. It's hard to get fabric sealant off paint and glass without resorting to some kind of polish I found, so it's best to try and avoid overspray if possible.
Jon, I would be very interested in a video about convertible top dying. I have a twenty year old convertible top on my Chevelle. The black top fabric is in excellent shape for its age, but it has faded a small amount over the years. It’s just not deep black like it once was, but not bad enough to replace. I have use similar cleaning techniques as you presented in this video, but I am very interested in the dying process and what products your friend would recommended. Maybe you can make a Part Two video. Great video as always.
Hi Jon great video as usual, alway worth a watch , keep them coming👍🏻, On separate note, I was hoping for some advice please, Have a Harley Davidson and Iv washed it and i used bilt hamber snow foam on the bike and left for no more than 5 mins, didn’t let it dry, then rinsed it off it has left milky stains that seemed etched in to my ally rocker head covers and ally polish has hardly touched it, do you have any ideas on how to fix it please?
just use like a AIO polish david. it sounds like a film of detergent has dried. Im not very knowledgeable in bike cleaning, I literally only done it once. I dont know if its even a good idea to snow foam them dave. maybe its something I can do a video on with uk2 detailing soon.
Are you talking about in2detailing? not all items are discountable. But I just went and put a pot of "finis wax" in a basket. Entered discount code "forensic" and it dropped of 10%. So its working for me. Do what I just did and see if it works (dont buy it obviously) if it does then you might be trying to apply a code to a product which cannot be discounted.
I add £15 (UK) labour onto a full valet, most of my customers brings their own kit but when not, I use Autoglym Soft Top kit. Other kits are available in a fancy bottle etc but Autoglym have been established for over 50 years and are the best in my opinion.
you dont need to re-proof something a month later when you know the proofing lasts 12-18months. I mean you can do if you want.. you understand my point right.
@@ForensicDetailing Ah sorry mate must've missed it... In my experience, the overspray of these products leaves quite a sticky residue, even when wiping off with a microfiber and glass cleaner. But I guess that also depends on the product used, right? For me I usually take the 303 Fabric Guard.
This was crap. No way ud ket rgat hack touch my roof. Thats why i do it myself. Fir exampke that brush he was using was too rough and would end up over time freying the cloth fibres. Hes a hack.
jon wasnt worried about breathing in apc, he has build up a high tollerance from Fusso 99 ;)
😂
Pretty much used this exact method on my old mx5. I used to use a watering can/hose instead of a pressure washer on an older hood (like my old one) as they can blow the stitching if you aren’t careful. Very informative 👍 Milton steriliser if you’re cheap like me and want the mould gone forever
nice bit of lateral thinking with the Milton
Great video, this made caring for a soft-top look so much easier than the others who say that the deep clean pictured in this video should be performed once every two weeks, and that you need to avoid the UV rays of the sun when cleaning/applying protection. I am really interested in the subject since I want an MX5, but I can only fit in the soft-top.
Jon this was great content in this special episode, would love more like this on various topics
yer really enjoyed it Dave, these guys have exceptional knowledge and I love going up there to visit them. watching ian do this work makes me want to actually go and try it and the gtechniq product seems to have worked really well.
Liking huge majority of your video's but not this one I'm afraid, just as well it was not yourself advising! Soft Top advice is do not use a high pressure washer, but to use a normal hose pipe sprinkler, use a new good close knit sponge to apply cleaner, ensure roof is dry before applying protecter ensuring you clean any spillage on glass and paintwork. Hope this helps for whoever reads it.
Angelwax excelsior is the best fabric roof cleaner I’ve used👍 foams up really well and contains a uv protectant. After washing I use angelwax shield to protect it. I also use 303 fabric protect once a year😉
303 from duragloss ?
@@dimmacommunication the brand is 303, called fabric guard
@@paulthompson9294 not the aerospace protectant ?
I am a 303 user
Nice demo 👍. Shame you didn't cover spot cleaning and bird bombs, these are the real bane of owning a soft top.
Wait...are you saying you don't cosset your soft top in a GARAGE ;)
Excellent information and explanations ,thank you
Thanks for this video, just bought my first Modern Classic with a Fabric roof, had no idea how to clean/look after it , steady away seems to be the method. Would be useful to see if there are any new/alternative products now avaliable, time for an updated vid Jon?
theres millions mate but how you do it is the important thing not the chemicals.
Good day Jon! :) thanks for a video mate love from Michigan in the USA
boom good day to you fellow you tuber. keep rocking it up in the USA lots of love mate.
Would love to see a durability & performance test on different fabric waterproofers.
Good video, enjoyed that, even though I don't have a soft top.
I love my soft top car
wow they have a huge FLEX collection there :) love it!
Great video thank you.Please tell me if it's safe to apply Fabsil (since it is a silicone based water proofer),on top of Renovo Reviver (water based)? Also If I have Renovo Ultra Proofer on my soft top at present, what do I use to clean the top so to get ready to take Fabsil? thank you for your patience
use one or the other mate
damn that's a nice SAAB 900 in the back!!
I loved this video very much it is right up my alley thank you very much more please John I know it took you a lot of effort but believe me it’s appreciated
thanks Mo really apprecaite the kind works mate.
Would love some practical (in fact any) advice on how to eradicate algae from fabric roofs? - I cant find any? Appears to be an impossible exercise
Nice video! Any thoughts on applying snow foams to fabric roofs as part of a pre wash stage? Would there be any harm in doing so?
like ian said your just really putting detergent into the fabric thats going to be a bit harder to remove and it will mask the proofing a bit. So it makes sense hoover the roof before you wash you car as you weekly maintainence. then wash the rest of the car. Avoiding washing the roof with the pre wash. so no major harm but just perhaps not recomended.
Never ever use snow foam to fabric, it will fade your fabric over time.
i would have taped round the rim of the hood and paint to prevent scratches not use my hand in a rubber glove, rinsing i would have adjusted my pressure but i get not everyone can, i also wouldn't spray on i1 fabric but either brush or sponge it on spray just goes all over the car
Really enjoyed this video - and I don't even have a rag top! Thinking of getting one though with these hot summers we've been getting!
Glad it was helpful!
I've got a 2005 Audi A4 cab. The roof was full of algae, rear window falling out and demister wasn't working all over. I decided to get a brand new hood for just over £1000. The roof design is better as the window is stitched in and I can make a fresh start. The only product I've tried is autoglym now I don't mind their other stuff but the roof clean and protector do not see very good on old or new hoods. It's interesting you don't cover their product. I have learnt quite a bit on this and would definitely apply with a soft brush next time. I applied a half a bottle of protector and it's not beading.
What was the brand apc he uses?
I'm new to valeting, I used c.10% APC Surfex, dwelled 10 mins cool March day, light scrub , power washed lightly , rubbed again with cloth, small amount brush, power washed again, light rub, and light scrub, and final power wash more intensive, result was good. Is this what the valeters would do as a first pass ? Now watching a few soft top videos it looks like a power washer is a no no. Hmmmm, there is light and heavy power washing
I find my auto finese tyre brush the perfect stiffness brush , or human wheel face brush
any advice for a soft top thats been damaged by powerwashing / jetwashing.
repair it? seriously im not sure what the damage is? blasted out stiching? Holes? punctured plastic window bit etc...
Lol at the chap saying “make sure the windows are closed first”. Really makes no difference on a MGTF water just seeps in at the window tops🤣. I had an MGTF sunstorm special edition. 2004 bought for £17k to 2008 sold for £1000 🤬. Use to get regular wet seats. Was worst with the hard top. But brings back memories....😱 2x head gasket changes windscreen wipers popping off on the motorway cost me a fortune in repairs😰🤑. But still loved washing it.
outragous!! :) head gaskets yes, gunked up coolant lines as well :)
Forensic Detailing Channel. Yes the list is huge, but would I do it again. I’ll probably say yes 🤪😬
I have used Fabsil gold on my TT roadster. It may be OK for tents but it washes out in rain and leaves oily streaks down your glass!
Jon, if you had to completely overhaul a fabric roof, is the process clean, reproof and re-dye? Or is it clean, re-dye then re-proof?
yes mate redye before proofing
@@ForensicDetailing Thanks mate. 👍
Finally a video about it ♥️
Hi Jon, sometimes hoovering the roof isn’t enough and it needs a wash. What is the best way to do this whilst not compromising the protection. Ps just got my daughter a convertible beetle and used the aerospace 303 protector
so if required rinse off loose dirt, APC, brush, rinse, extract (optional). yer fair play sometimes it will get muddy or covered in film and need a "wet wash".
Forensic Detailing Channel Will Surfex hd kill it or is it mild enough to do the job and if so what ratio 10:1? Sorry to be a pain Jon😘
@@f4rducky418 if you use surfex to clean this fabric I personally would drop it down to 1:30 first and move up to 1:20 if needed mate.
I used renovo recently, very cold day, it took about 2 days to dry.
6:45 wouldn't a pressure sprayer easier to use ?
I pressure spray all the car with the same APC , including convertible top
I just checked the manual for my Z4 and it doesn’t warn against using a pressure washer on the roof, so I think it probably is generally OK to use a pressure washer on soft tops. I wouldn’t, though, as I’ve seen examples on online forums of pressure washing convertible roofs doing damage to the finish.
@@Jackster A pressure sprayer is a pump with manually pumped air pressure , basically you don't need to trigger spray ,much faster and you don't get tired
@@dimmacommunication sorry, I misunderstood! I used a pressure sprayer once to apply BMW's own-brand convertible top sealant and it worked really well. I think a paintbrush is my favourite application method though, as it's tricky to control overspray when using a spray bottle or pump sprayer. It's hard to get fabric sealant off paint and glass without resorting to some kind of polish I found, so it's best to try and avoid overspray if possible.
Awesome results
Jon, I would be very interested in a video about convertible top dying. I have a twenty year old convertible top on my Chevelle. The black top fabric is in excellent shape for its age, but it has faded a small amount over the years. It’s just not deep black like it once was, but not bad enough to replace. I have use similar cleaning techniques as you presented in this video, but I am very interested in the dying process and what products your friend would recommended. Maybe you can make a Part Two video. Great video as always.
you steve we actually talked about if we should cover dyeing.. it would have made it too complicated.. hopefully we can do a video on this one day.
Yo even :) not you
Natural drying is best of course so you will realise this is a 2 part application, so pick a nice warm day ideally.
TRY RENOVO color dye
Hi Jon great video as usual, alway worth a watch , keep them coming👍🏻,
On separate note, I was hoping for some advice please,
Have a Harley Davidson and Iv washed it and i used bilt hamber snow foam on the bike and left for no more than 5 mins, didn’t let it dry,
then rinsed it off it has left milky stains that seemed etched in to my ally rocker head covers and ally polish has hardly touched it, do you have any ideas on how to fix it please?
just use like a AIO polish david. it sounds like a film of detergent has dried. Im not very knowledgeable in bike cleaning, I literally only done it once. I dont know if its even a good idea to snow foam them dave. maybe its something I can do a video on with uk2 detailing soon.
Forensic Detailing Channel yes I think your right about using snow foam on the bike, probably won’t do it again. Thank you for getting back me Jon👍🏻
Happy to buy but the discount code doesn't apply at check out. Please help.
Are you talking about in2detailing? not all items are discountable. But I just went and put a pot of "finis wax" in a basket. Entered discount code "forensic" and it dropped of 10%. So its working for me. Do what I just did and see if it works (dont buy it obviously) if it does then you might be trying to apply a code to a product which cannot be discounted.
How much would you charge for deep cleaning a fabric roof?
I add £15 (UK) labour onto a full valet, most of my customers brings their own kit but when not, I use Autoglym Soft Top kit. Other kits are available in a fancy bottle etc but Autoglym have been established for over 50 years and are the best in my opinion.
Can you provide a USA link?
I cant mate sorry i fail to keep the UK ones upto date over an estate of 600 videos its impossible to add USA ones really.
really useful info
Jon you've got to get some official FDC gear/swag to be official on offsite visits :) lol
fantastic video
instead of reapplying every 18 months can you just give it a top it up once a month?
you dont need to re-proof something a month later when you know the proofing lasts 12-18months. I mean you can do if you want.. you understand my point right.
Gtechniq L1 smart fabric V2 👍👍👍👍🤟
That Saab is so nice
Why didn't he cover the rest of the car with plastic to prevent overspray from 'damaging' the paint?
your question is covered in the video.
@@ForensicDetailing Ah sorry mate must've missed it... In my experience, the overspray of these products leaves quite a sticky residue, even when wiping off with a microfiber and glass cleaner. But I guess that also depends on the product used, right? For me I usually take the 303 Fabric Guard.
😊👍
Am I the only one that gets mildly annoyed with the scrubbing noise
me too, but you gotta do what you gotta do
NEVER USE A PRESSURE WASHER !!!
Pressure washer is fine just use it at low pressure setting and stay back. If your an idiot and can't do that then use a hose.
This was crap. No way ud ket rgat hack touch my roof. Thats why i do it myself. Fir exampke that brush he was using was too rough and would end up over time freying the cloth fibres. Hes a hack.