Cabriolet Roof Cleaning | VW Beetle Video

This Volkswagen Beetle Convertible came to us to have the hood cleaned and re-waterproofed. I think we all fell in love with this car while it was here, more-so once it was done.

Regular roof cleaning and re-waterproofing protects your cabriolet hood and makes it last the life of the car.

Cleaning your convertible roof prevents wear

Moss and lichen can grow on the dirt which sits in your fibres, and once it gets wet provides a perfect environment for agriculture, lots of phosphates, plenty of sun, it's ideal for a range of flora but not really what you want as a car owner. A more serious problem is that that dirt and dust is abrasive and over time will act like a liquid sandpaper on your hood as you put your roof up and down. You are effectively stone washing your roof. Over time, it will wear all they way through and cause firstly striping and eventually holes.

So a hood requires fairly regular maintenance and receive a deep clean every couple of years using the appropriate roof cleaners, at which point a new hydrophobic coating can be re-applied which repels water and prevents your hood getting sopping wet. If after it rains, your hood feels sopping wet, you have no protective coating, and it's time to get it done. If it's damp, but not wet, you are probably good for a while longer. 

Cabriolet maintenance to prevent leaks

This customer also opted to have us clean out all the drains, unblock the pipes which channel the water run-off out of the bottom of the car. And also had us treat the car with a rubber reviver and conditioner, so it's all sealed up and water-proof... because if your convertible is leaking, which they are prone to do, it's probably because of blocked drainage or the rubber seals around the hood and window are perished and/or dirty.

The customer took advantage of a special offer we had on and also had AutoGlym's newest three month was which looks rather nice. Call us today about Convertible Roof Cleaning and Restoration.

How do I care for my convertible roof?

Once your hood is clean, we suggest you keep an eye on the effectiveness of the waterproof coating.  This is fairly simple, just feel it after it has rained. If it's pretty much dry, with just a bit of water in or on it, then it's good. If it's sopping wet, then it needs waterproofing.

The weatherproof coating does a little more than just repel water, a good one will also be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. This will help prevent moss and lichen growing on it. However, even if the coating is holding and the hood has a build-up of dust, dirt and tree-sap, which is held between the fibres, there will be stuff for green to grow on, so it's important to try and keep it clean.

Keep your cabriolet garaged or in a car port if possible, if not, avoid parking under trees. Clean your car regularly, and remember that a pressure washer will not force out the dirt until the point that it's also ripping away at the fabric. Lots of water will help flush out any dirt, but use a power hose, or if you must use a pressure washer, don't let it get any closer than about three feet. A pressure washer actually puts out less water than a normal hose-pipe, it's just doing it a higher pressure. It's volume of water you want, not pressure.

Buy yourself a cabriolet cleaning kit and a couple of brushes and use it every six months to one year, and don't wait. If you start to find you aren't getting the results you want, take it to a professional. We would recommend you do this every couple of years regardless. Your cabriolet hood with thank you for it.