cleaning a convertible roof

[C2]

Purchased a 996.2 convertible around 4 months ago and to be honest the old girl needs a lot of love and money spent on her which will be done over a period of time. But my starting point is the roof which has quite a bit of green algae and a coat full of cats hair. Can anyone recommend a product or give me an indication of where to start as I have been told not to use a power washer
Appreciate all the help I can get

 

[Gordon Attar]

For the cat hair only the Hoover will work when dry with the appropriate attachment.

The autoglym kit with one bottle of cleaning product with applicator sponge and a bottle of roof protector.

Roof needs to wet when using the cleaning product and a toothbrush is required for getting to all the joints, edges and hard to get at places. It may require two goes if pretty green.

If it's that green you need to half open the roof and clear and clean all the water channels, drains as they will be clogged and filthy.

 

[mr pg]

Best I've used is Renovo.

 

[GeoffB]

For removing hairs get selotape or wide parcel tape and dab over roof, or use the pet hair rollers. Clean using one of the many products on offer. You must reproofed after cleaning best product is fabsil gold. You can get it from Amazon very cheap and is very easy to apply. Don't waste your money on the specialist hood products marketed. I've been running cabriolets cars for over 40 years , some have been left out all year and fabsil is the best Waterproofer I've ever used

 

[chrisbradley]

Another supporter here for Fabsil - brings the fabric up like new !
I have used it after finding the recommendation on this Forum.
Chris

 

[D911ARK]

You don't always need to use a dedicated hood cleaner, although there are great products out there. AutoGlym being the safest one.
If you use renovo to recolour it, be very very careful. Lots of not so good stories on the internet if all previous products, dirt and cleaner not fully removed from the hood and instructions not adhered to.

The main thing, is getting the dirt from inside the seams and grooves etc out. Spend time in areas, dont rush it. As has been mentioned, a vacuum and tape will help remove the looser debris, before a clean. A good APC (allpurpose cleaner) can be as effective as a specialist cleaner, small brushes for the seams and corners are a must. You'll know where the worst areas are. Also, if you keep to smaller area, reapply a cleaner and agitate into a foam. If the foam still changes colour, it's still dirty (make sure your brush is rinsed though and it's not just older dirt from the brush dis-colouring the foam)

Once done and dry, I also recommend Fabisil Gold to waterproof the hood. Here's a link to a thread where I posted instructions on how best, I found, to apply it. This waterproofing process will help cut down on green sticking, as the hood should stay drier. If you garage, there is less need, tbh

https://www.porscheclubgb.om/forum/FindPost/996453

 

[C2]

Appreciate everyone's response to my query. Unfortunately the garage I have would struggle to get the car in so vulnerable to all weather conditions. The consensus is remove all debris, use a recognised cleaner and wait till dry to add a sealer. So looking at our weather forecast it may be a while before I start this job.

 

[JMR]

For the last 3 years I've used 303 Aerospace Fabric/Convertible Roof Cleaner and the complementing 303 Fabric Guard.

It's been very good.

I always like to try new stuff though and next on my list is Fabsil Gold as a waterproofer.

 

[jamesekirby]

You don't always need to use a dedicated hood cleaner, although there are great products out there. AutoGlym being the safest one.
If you use renovo to recolour it, be very very careful. Lots of not so good stories on the internet if all previous products, dirt and cleaner not fully removed from the hood and instructions not adhered to.

The main thing, is getting the dirt from inside the seams and grooves etc out. Spend time in areas, dont rush it. As has been mentioned, a vacuum and tape will help remove the looser debris, before a clean. A good APC (allpurpose cleaner) can be as effective as a specialist cleaner, small brushes for the seams and corners are a must. You'll know where the worst areas are. Also, if you keep to smaller area, reapply a cleaner and agitate into a foam. If the foam still changes colour, it's still dirty (make sure your brush is rinsed though and it's not just older dirt from the brush dis-colouring the foam)

Once done and dry, I also recommend Fabisil Gold to waterproof the hood. Here's a link to a thread where I posted instructions on how best, I found, to apply it. This waterproofing process will help cut down on green sticking, as the hood should stay drier. If you garage, there is less need, tbh

https://www.porscheclubgb.om/forum/FindPost/996453

I use AutoGlym on my wife's Audi convertible and Fabsil Gold as the waterproofer. The Fabsil stuff is brilliant, bit runny though so be careful to mop up any run off or spillages. Other than that I think that combo is a good bet. Another good option for in the creases and corners is Milton Sterilising fluid - it will kill off any remaining algae spores once you've finished up with the cleaning.

 

[jamesekirby]

Life in lockdown is dragging... but I have "found" the time to clean and waterproof the roof on my wife's car as per the above. Always pleasing to see how well the roof comes up with the Fabsil Gold. A 5l tin goes a long way.