Reviving an A4 Cab roof

[Pops848]

I've done a bit of searching and seen that some have had some success with the renovo products on soft tops.
I'd like to know if possible what the colours are like, my roof is blue, will their dark blue be a match or should I go black?
Also, quantities, do I need 500ml or a litre of the stuff to do a roof? I'm thinking cleaner and proofer don't matter as I'll use them regularly, but the dye is kind of expensive and I don't want to waste money as it were

Any advice on avoiding streak/brush marks also? I was going to use a spray bottle rather than a paint bush?

 

[DrStrange]

Hi,

If you can search my posts far back enough I documented the clean up of clean ups for my blue roof the same as yours.

If you follow my guide, I PROMISE your roof will look like it came from the factory.

Its all about elbow grease and not over priced products..

 

[Pops848]

Hi,

If you can search my posts far back enough I documented the clean up of clean ups for my blue roof the same as yours.

If you follow my guide, I PROMISE your roof will look like it came from the factory.

Its all about elbow grease and not over priced products..

Thanks mate, found it and had a read, my roof isn't that bad so I'll probably try cleaning it but maybe not the intense jet wash, just wary about giving the fabric an uber hard time with jetted water is all

 

[DrStrange]

Nice one dude.

You're welcome.

Believe me it will be absolutely fine. Your hood is so well made higher pressure water will not do any damage to it. I found it to be the only thing that could remove the mildew which looked awful before.

 

[Cabbyfan]

Mine is black but has some very stubborn green and brown bits...I have power washed it in the past but even this won't shift some bits

 

[SteveMcB]

I tried the Renovo colour restorer just after I bought the car because I thought the roof could be a bit darker. I regretted it almost straight away, it's not easy to use, didn't really darken it and the roof actually looked worse afterwards. You need to be really careful with it because if you get it wrong it is extremely difficult to get rid of. I did mine in the drive, the sun came out briefly and I ended up with a visible line up the middle. I'd recommend doing it under cover and masking off the glass and paintwork.

I also avoided giving it a 'proper' jet wash for quite a while until one day I just went for it. It's the only method I've found that gives it a good deep clean - even got rid of the renovo line that had been there for about 2 years! The amount of crud that came out, even though it had just been scrubbed, was incredible. Never had a hint of a leak.

Could be wrong but I think there's a rubber membrane underneath that provides the waterproofing, the canvas is for protecting it.

 

[DrStrange]

Mine is black but has some very stubborn green and brown bits...I have power washed it in the past but even this won't shift some bits

I know the feeling. Honestly, this is a mult layered 'attack' You have to apply Miltons de-steriliser fluid leave it on for 20-30mins then power wash.

I would repeat the process 2-3 time before you see a result. Also, doing it when it gts warmer will help. The sun will heat the brown bits up.

Ive become quite the domesticated God over the years

 

[DrStrange]

I tried the Renovo colour restorer just after I bought the car because I thought the roof could be a bit darker. I regretted it almost straight away, it's not easy to use, didn't really darken it and the roof actually looked worse afterwards. You need to be really careful with it because if you get it wrong it is extremely difficult to get rid of. I did mine in the drive, the sun came out briefly and I ended up with a visible line up the middle. I'd recommend doing it under cover and masking off the glass and paintwork.

I also avoided giving it a 'proper' jet wash for quite a while until one day I just went for it. It's the only method I've found that gives it a good deep clean - even got rid of the renovo line that had been there for about 2 years! The amount of crud that came out, even though it had just been scrubbed, was incredible. Never had a hint of a leak.

Could be wrong but I think there's a rubber membrane underneath that provides the waterproofing, the canvas is for protecting it.

Great to her Stevie! I thought the same and was very by the book before. Yes it really is awsome when you see all the sh*t fly off the fabric hood.

Glad it worked for you.

 

[SteveMcB]

Actually forgot but I used the Miltons as well, got some funny looks searching about the baby dept, got an even funnier one when I asked the shop assistant where it was and she asked me what I wanted it for...........

I've been giving it a good blast 3 or 4 times a year for the last 3 years or so, no issues (touch wood). I'm careful where I point the jet though!

Incidentally, what strength did you mix the Miltons to, there's no mention of cabby roofs on the bottle I bought

 

[DrStrange]

Actually forgot but I used the Miltons as well, got some funny looks searching about the baby dept, got an even funnier one when I asked the shop assistant where it was and she asked me what I wanted it for...........

I've been giving it a good blast 3 or 4 times a year for the last 3 years or so, no issues (touch wood). I'm careful where I point the jet though!

Incidentally, what strength did you mix the Miltons to, there's no mention of cabby roofs on the bottle I bought

Haha, that geniunley made me laugh as I was tagged by the shop assitant with the very same question! When I mentioned my car, I know in her head she thought I was an utter weirdo.

Yep..The Miltons has helped kill off the mould before I blast it.

With regards to concentration, I put the desired amount it says on the packaging of the bottle..then got annoyed at how weak it was..poured a quater of the bottle and called it a day!

With the cabby roof..more is more

 

[Cabbyfan]

Milton sounds an interesting idea. As it happens I have some, I use it so sterilise my dental retainer ! Again, what mix did you use ? I have tried the AutoGylm kits but they don't touch it.

 

[DrStrange]

Milton sounds an interesting idea. As it happens I have some, I use it so sterilise my dental retainer ! Again, what mix did you use ? I have tried the AutoGylm kits but they don't touch it.

Yes, its a good product. Google will tell you all the wonderful things its used for or can be.

Nope, Autoglym is not going to be useful for killing mould. Its simply not designed for that.

I purchased the small miltons bottle. About the size of a coke can, poured a quater of the whole bottle in about 4 litres of water (a bucket) and took a kitchen bristle brush and worked it into the hood. About 20mins of non stop elbow grease before powering off with the jet spray.

Repeated 2 times over.

 

[technics100]

I agree with DrStrange, nothing touched mine until I got the powerhose on it.. looks good now.. whats the best sealer / protector to use after?

 

[Pops848]

I did a quick line with the power house, it's come up nicely, I'll be doing it all when I have time but my neighbours are dicks about me washing my car in the shared access. Knob heads!

As for a protector I'm going to use renovo

 

[Retroman]

Good proofers are Autoglym (spay on) and Fabsil Gold (paint on). You need to mask surrounding paintwork with the spray versions as it is difficult to remove when it dries. Ideally you want dry, warm conditions for 24 hours for this job.

Be careful with power washers on soft tops, do not use the powerful lances and settings as it can damage the rubberised layer in the roof – advice received first hand from a professional who does nothing other than fit replacement hoods.

 

[SteveMcB]

I use Autoglym proofer, it's in a trigger pack but it's much better decanting it and using a paint brush, even spread, minimal waste and mess.

 

[Jonni3]

303 Convertible Top Kit works very well, still have the hydrophobic effect after 8 months of applying it.