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Convertible cars: they're stylish and impressive and they turn heads when you're cruising around on a summer day. But when a once-smart fabric convertible roof is covered in green algae and bird lime, the effect isn't quite the same!
So, to keep your convertible car looking its best, you'll need to clean dirt and grime off regularly. However, cleaning a convertible soft top roof requires some care and attention to avoid damaging the material. If you need some pointers on how it's done, here's a handy guide from the Leather Colour Doctor on how to clean convertible roof fabric.
Before cleaning car soft tops, it's a good idea to know exactly what material you're dealing with as this may affect the methods and approach you use. If you know all about this already, you can always skip ahead to the step-by-step guide to cleaning a convertible roof.
Unless you have a vintage car or a rare edition of some kind with a folding roof made of leather, your convertible top will be one of two types: canvas or vinyl. While they might have different names, they will essentially be one or the other.
For example, canvas soft tops are often referred to as fabric or cloth, while vinyl roofs are sometimes called plastic, polyacrylic or polyester.
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The best way to determine which type you have (assuming that you don't already know) is through the touch test.
Place your hand out flat and run it slowly across the surface. If it feels and looks like grainy plastic then it is likely to be vinyl. However, if it looks and feels more like the kind of material a tent might be made from, then you can be sure that it is a canvas roof.
Now that's cleared up, here are the steps to clean your convertible soft top roof...
First, gather your cleaning supplies: You will need a soft-bristled brush* or a sponge, a mild soap or specialist fabric soft top cleaner, a bucket, a hose and a clean cloth (preferably a microfibre one).
*It's okay to use a sponge, although brushes get deep into fabric fibres better to give a cleaner finish.
Begin the process by gently brushing dirt and loose debris from the surface with a soft brush. It's important to remove this or it will prevent you from achieving a really good clean finish. Make sure you get into all the corners and seams to dislodge grit and dust, as this will allow the cleaner to reach the base fabric. Without this, the fabric roof may lose its hydrophobic (water-repelling) qualities and rain may drip through.
Use the hose to gently rinse off any remaining dust, loose dirt or debris from the top of your cabriolet roof. You might want to use a scrub brush to lightly agitate any larger clumps of dirt to loosen them. Once the surface is basically free from debris and thoroughly wet, it is now ready for the next stage.
Mix the mild soap with water in a bucket or use follow the instructions on the bottle if you're using a soft top cleaner*. Dip the brush or rough sponge applicator into the cleaning solution and apply it to the entire surface of the top, working from one end to the other. Be sure to apply the convertible roof cleaner evenly and avoid scrubbing too hard or using a rough brush, as this can damage the fabric.
Don't worry if the bottle's instructions differ from this guide - just follow what it says to get the best results. Some of the best soft top cleaners have very specific instructions, and it's best to stick to these as closely as possible.
*Testing a small amount on hidden areas is always advisable, just to make sure there's no adverse reaction to the cleaner.
Use the soft-bristled brush or sponge to gently scrub the top, paying extra attention to any very dirty areas. Be sure to scrub in the direction of the grain of the fabric, and avoid circular motions that could cause damage or leave swirl marks.
The instructions might tell you how to deal with particularly stubborn stains - Autoglym convertible soft top cleaner, for example, advises vehicle owners that applying the solution, wrapping it in strong polythene and leaving overnight is the best method.
Rinse the top thoroughly with a hose to remove all traces of the cleaner. Be sure to rinse from one end to the other, and avoid spraying directly into the seams, as this can cause water to seep into the car.
Use a microfiber towel or a chamois to gently dry the top, starting from one end and working your way to the other. Be sure to blot the fabric rather than rubbing it, as this can cause damage or leave fibres behind.
If your rag top looks faded, you can give it a new life with a colour-restoring fabric dye at this stage. It's entirely up to you, but it will return your fabric roof to its original colour, making it look as good as new!
The Leather Colour Doctor website is packed with dyes of all kinds, so you'll be sure to find one that suits your needs. Always make sure that the dye you choose is suitable for the material, as some dyes can't be used on vinyl or acrylic.
You should also test the dye on a small, inconspicuous area before full coverage to see if it's the right colour and to check for any reaction.
Again, this is optional, but it's a good idea to weather-protect the material with a soft top waterproofer as it will guard against UV rays and the regrowth of mould and mildew on your fabric roof. You can either spray or paint this on, but the spray variety requires several coats, whereas only one coat is needed if you decide to paint it on.
Here's how to go about this:
First, the fabric roof must be completely dry before application! This is important as it could affect the final outcome.
Shake the bottle well and tip the waterproofing solution into a separate container, like a shallow bowl or tub.
Apply with a clean paintbrush, working from the centre of the roof and making your way to the edges, front and back. Work swiftly with efficient strokes, using thin applications - don't overload the brush!
If preferred, you can use a sponge applicator instead of a paintbrush.
Keep a damp cloth to hand in case of any drips on windows, paintwork or frames (you might want to put some masking tape around the edges as a precaution).
Allow the solution to dry before applying any further coats, and avoid taking the car out in the rain before it is completely dry.
Repeat this every six to eight months to protect your cabriolet fabric.
Please note that your soft top will look different when it gets wet! Don't be concerned if you notice a lack of water beads on the roof when it rains. This is entirely normal and your convertible roof will dry out much more quickly, removing the conditions required for mildew and mould to grow.
Please note: Always make sure that the product is suitable for the material!
Seriously, although they're effective against dirt and grime, there's a pretty good chance that you'll rip through the fabric roof and ruin it.
Even on a low-pressure setting, a pressure washer is capable of damaging your rag top - it's just not worth the risk. Washing by hand gives you complete control and you'll be using nothing more destructive than a garden hose and some elbow grease.
Whether it's a vinyl or fabric convertible roof, there are plenty of nasties out there just waiting to ruin its look.
If you frequently park under trees, bird droppings (these are sometimes called bird lime, due to their acidic, chalky nature) and sticky tree sap are likely to be a real problem. Other than this, the British weather will soon take its toll; powerful UV rays from sunlight can cause colours to become faded and the material to crack. Dust and dirt are picked up on even the shortest journeys, and this can become caked onto convertible tops in no time at all.
Green algae can easily spread in damp conditions, and mildew will soon join it - leaving you with a mouldy fabric roof that looks awful and smells musty.
That's why it's so important to clean your soft top on a regular basis to keep it in excellent condition!
To keep your smart fabric roof looking its very best, you should ideally wash it every month and apply a new coat of waterproofing every six months. You can give the roof a light going over when you wash your car as normal (you don't need to use a cleaning solution every time), but always give it some extra care if the weather is particularly bad and the top gets filthy.
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Although some experts warn against this, modern carwashes are somewhat gentler than in the past, and soft top roofs are generally made of tougher stuff. As long as it's a once-in-a-while thing and not a regular event, there's no reason why you can't run your convertible car through the carwash to smarten it up.
Even so, you might want to double-check this with the manufacturer before doing this.
With an extensive range of exceptional-quality leather and fabric care products, the Leather Colour Doctor makes it easy for you to look after your treasured possessions, including sofas, leather jackets, shoes, handbags and so on. We even have specialist soft top cleaner and restoration kits that include a combined degreaser and mould/mildew remover, a canvas dye and a waterproofer. These three products come in a 500ml or one-litre bottle complete with a spray nozzle attachment for easy application.
Although there are plenty of popular brands, such as Turtle Wax soft top cleaner, and Renovo fabric soft top cleaner, our kits are created by Carbusonic, a trusted name in car care products for over twenty years. Carbusonic fabric cleaner compares favourably with the top brands and consistently receives excellent reviews.
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We feel that caring for your belongings shouldn't be too much of a chore, which is why we strive to supply a wide variety of quality leather and car care products.
Our convertible roof fabric cleaners, restorers and waterproofing solutions will protect your rag top from the worst of the weather and revitalise its colour to keep it looking great. Regular use will make each cleaning session easier, as dirt will find it hard to stick, and mould or mildew won't be able to gain a foothold.
So, when you need to clean your soft top, why not use our convertible roof cleaner kit? It's just what the doctor ordered!
