Washing the Cabby...

Hello,

I know this has probably been asked before but I can?t find it anywhere, do you know / have any tips for washing my Convertible. Any special stuff for the roof (I think its Vinyl if that makes a difference)

Thanks

Pete

Try Autosmart products, Probably available on the net!

Somebody once told me the stuff you get for washing UPVC windows does wonders on vinyl, never tried it tho!

T

Tian said

Somebody once told me the stuff you get for washing UPVC windows does wonders on vinyl, never tried it tho!

T

Dano knows all about cleaning  a roof with this stuff he spent all last years VW All Types show scrubbing away nice job too

Hi !

I have just completed my spring clean on my vinyl hood, it is now bright cream again!!!

I use a UPVC cleaner that costs ?2.50 a bottle - a lot cheaper than Autoglym for example. Despite what people have posted previously, it doesn't damage the material, make it porous and melt it in anyway. I have done this 3 times now and it is as good as new.

You will need 1 bottle (depending on how dirty yours is) and A LOT of old TOWELS…. the toweling gets into the grain of the vinyl and lifts the dirt out. Change the cloths regulary.

Dan

will the uPVC stuff work on a Black roof also? and any tips when washing the car…. i'm guessing i don't take a hose to the roof?

i dont mind paying a bit for some good stuff… i found this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUTOGLYM-Soft-Top-Car-Hood-Roof-Cleaner-Protector-Kit_W0QQitemZ250411656023QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item250411656023&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

but my only worry is that it states NOT FOR USE ON VINYL in the listing.

where might i find this uPVC cleaner if its ok for black roofs?

and im  not 100% sure if it is vinyl… how can I tell?

I use a hose on my vinyl hood AND also a pressure washer at times (although not right up close) and there isn't any damage. Assuming that yours is in good condition and without the crease above the doors then there shouldn't be a leak.

If you do a search… Put in vinyl as a search word, author 'Dano' and you will get about 5 results. Select the bottom one and scroll down to view the photos of the cleaning results back in 2006.

The suppliers address is also on there.

Dan

Oh, and it is OK for black hoods. My mate did his blue one and it came up very well.

I and a few members have witnessed this at All Types last year!! It works!!

Shame we would of helped you this year!!

I found Cif and UPVC cleaner worked a treat on my old white vinyl hood. I bought an expensive vinyl cleaner / protector kit from Renovo and it did b-all to clean it. The Autoglym kit is for fabric hoods only but if you have a mohair it's worth getting, works great.

i dont know if this will help but , im quite friendly with the local vw dealer and he gave me a bottle of interior cleaner (special vw stuff) for my roof and it has come up a treat

Cillit Bang or a Persil solution and a nylon scrubbing brush does it for me. Toothbrush for where the seams go green  :mrgreen:

isn't cilit bang abit harsh??

I have a near as damn it perfect vinyl grey hood, apart from the fact its a little dirty, i usually get  nail brush to it and give it abit of elbow grease, Im considering the idea of using the UPVC cleaner stuff, im abit scared though, heard that with some stuff it can make the vinyl go hard and crack? eeek!!

is there any particular one thats been superfly for anyone?

thanks guys

P x

Cillit bang or washing powder is just soap really, we're not talking Oven Cleaner or anything. Any form of soap should be OK for plastic, it's most likely that spirit based things will damage it. Obviously it'll need rinsing well as it might not be so good for the paintwork if it's too alkaline.
 
Like you say Elbow grease with a scrubbing brush is necessary whatever you use. I also brush on Renovo vinyl ultra proofer. It's supposed to help protect against UV damaging the vinyl as well as make it easier to clean.

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD - ?6 for a bottle from here.

Water based so it won't damage the hood at all. This + a brush does wonders, done 3 different hoods with it in the last few weeks and it's great stuff. Can use it on anything from engine bay/interior plastics to wheels to hoods.