What convertible roof cleaner do you use?
We currently buy a detergent as a concentrate in 25ltr drums, which we dilute to the correct strength.
We won't tell you what it is because it is a trade product, which isn't sold to the public. The reason the company that supplies us, doesn't sell it to retail customers, isn't because it is some secret that the Car Care Cabal is hiding from the public. It's because they only sell in bulk. So if you do figure out the brand, please don't call them.
The simple fact is, it's just a general purpose detergent. If there is a secret, it's that when we use it on convertible roofs, we change the dilution rate and mix it up just a touch stronger than we would than if we were using it on seats or carpets. Cabriolet hoods are made from a tougher synthetic fabric and can take a stronger soap, but we can't mix it up so strong that it might burn rubbers and trim. So while it might be a little more 'hot' than retail cleaners that you can buy at your local motor accessory store, it's likely to be milder than the special blend your local car wash uses as a pre-wash.
In the past, we used Renovo's Fabric Soft Top Cleaner. We used a lot of Renovo's products as they are soft-top specialists and the products come in generously sized bottles which are good value for money. Their cleaner is probably better than the detergent we are currently using.
Our secret to cleaning convertible roofs is no secret at all. We rely on very fit, strong young men, with plenty of elbow grease.
...and mechanical brushes. 'There is no cleaning without agitation', and electric-powered mechanical brushes speed up the process by orders of magnitude.
However, you can't do it all with mechanical brushes, only the large flat bits. The seams, beading and any areas of exposed stitching has to be done by hand.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 19/04/2024 14:31