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Fabric roof protection

Wardy
in Styling and Car Care

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Now I've stuck a replacement roof on the Eunos, I'm thinking about keeping it in good nick.

 

Thought process began with what I currently had in stock, and thought about Wolf's Trim Coat or Textile Sealant. It's a vinyl-type roof, so perhaps the former? Anyone had any experience of applying this sort of product for soft top roof protection?

 

On the last MX-5 I had, I used 303 Protectant. But that was 2007/8, before these nano tech coatings came to mass market (well to the detailing community anyway!). So while I'm sure that would still do a decent job, would something else do it better?

 

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers,
Steve

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    I1 is great, not only repels water but also dirt in general.

    My seats look great even after 4 years, including the back where the kids have been. Might have some left if you want a sample to try.

    Not sure on durability of 303 to be honest.

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    As a soft top user I feel more qualified to reply.

    I used 303 too, but found that it repelled water if just a shower, but it soaked in a little in a deluge..still waterproofing though..no leaks at all

    After another clean and dry, I applied some Nanolex soft top sealer

    It's superb, not only does it repel light showers, but also heavy rain

    Spray and massage it in with your fingers, wearing nitrile gloves and do 30 cm squares at a time

    Very happy with it

    Buy from Polishedbliss

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    Strangely enough just been bothering Chris whilst he is on his hols about this very same issue.  Just about to pick up a Golf Cabriolet and wanted to know what to use on it.  Although I did read yesterday on the Auto Express website of their review of the top 10 fabric roof cleaners and Autoglym came out top.

     

    I suspect some of you Guys on here have tested them all to death anyway but for what it is worth....

     

    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90391/best-soft-top-cleaners

    Will recommend that to the mother in law Chris.

     

    She had bought some stuff for her Golf Cabriolet. Can't remember what brand it was but not one I'd heard of before and was some cheapo stuff. It went on fine and did initially repel a light shower but now just looks the same as before I applied it!

     

    She wants it to completely bead off to help keep all the tree crap from soaking in and sticking to it.

     

    Phil

    • Author

    Thanks all. Will look at those options :thumbup:

     

     

    Strangely enough just been bothering Chris whilst he is on his hols about this very same issue.  Just about to pick up a Golf Cabriolet and wanted to know what to use on it.  Although I did read yesterday on the Auto Express website of their review of the top 10 fabric roof cleaners and Autoglym came out top.

     

    I suspect some of you Guys on here have tested them all to death anyway but for what it is worth....

     

    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90391/best-soft-top-cleaners

     

     

    Tend to ignore AE reviews Chris, but that's just me!

    Steve,

     

    For my old vinyl roof I always used to use Kiwi black shoe polish (honestly) and found it was by far the best.

     

    However, since I replaced that with a blue mohair roof I've used the Autoglym convertible soft top clean and protect stuff as its made for mohair tops.

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    Wardy I don't know enough about  it to know any better to be honest.  I agree with reviews though as one man's meat is another man's poison.  It is the same for car reviews one site will praise a car and another slag it of unmercifully.  That was why I bothered Chris on his holiday well that and I know he misses this place and cannot keep away. :D

     

    Since I have joined here I have found people to be very helpful and any recommendations tend to be from actual use and knowledge rather than hearsay.

    +1 on what Ste said - Gtechniq is very good.

    Also used Fabsil for a long time with good results. Great stuff.

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    • Author

    Wardy I don't know enough about  it to know any better to be honest.  I agree with reviews though as one man's meat is another man's poison.  It is the same for car reviews one site will praise a car and another slag it of unmercifully.  That was why I bothered Chris on his holiday well that and I know he misses this place and cannot keep away. :D

     

    Since I have joined here I have found people to be very helpful and any recommendations tend to be from actual use and knowledge rather than hearsay.

     

    I stopped reading or taking any notice of their reviews, when they managed to put polishes in a wax review! :|

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    On the strength of this I have ordered the Gtechniq from ebay £18.49 free p & p. 

     

    Here's the thing though Wardy before I came on here I wouldn't have know any difference between polishes and wax and was stil washing my car with a sponge and one bucket!

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    • Author

    Sounds good.

     

    Glad this site has taught you something that AE couldn't then! :p

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    I stopped reading or taking any notice of their reviews, when they managed to put polishes in a wax review! :|

    I actually wrote to AE and complained.

    They replied with a positive reply, stating that they were going to change their title on subsequent reviews..they actually did!

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    • Author

    Least that's something Chris :thumbup: 

    If its a vinyl type roof not a mohair then surely you don't want a fabric sealant more of a plastic protector? Or am I reading your original post wrong?

    • Author

    No, you're quite right.

     

    Keeping with what I already have, the roof needs a thorough deep clean first, then I'll run a test section with Wolf's Trim Coat to see how that fares for vinyl protection.

     

    As has been said earlier on, 303 Protectant is a great product, but falls down on durability I think.

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    • 4 months later...

    +1 on what Ste said - Gtechniq is very good.

    Also used Fabsil for a long time with good results. Great stuff.

     

     

    Seems this is still the way to go guys....

     

    I'm getting some updates that the Nanolex Fabric Roof Sealer hasnt really survived winter as advertised above.

     

    So if in doubt - Fabsil or Gtechniq still the two products getting consistently good reviews;

    especially if a decent APC and anti-bacterial agent is used before hand. Hope this helps. :thumbup:

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    Seems this is still the way to go guys....

    I'm getting some updates that the Nanolex Fabric Roof Sealer hasnt really survived winter as advertised above.

    So if in doubt - Fabsil or Gtechniq still the two products getting consistently good reviews;

    especially if a decent APC and anti-bacterial agent is used before hand. Hope this helps. :thumbup:

    Nice update buddy!

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

    • Author

    Thanks for the bump on this chaps - reminds me that I need to get some Gtechniq :thumbup:

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    Correct me if I'm wrong chaps, but if the nanolex hasn't worked properly through the winter, that suggests that prep hasn't Been done properly before hand?

    I've done a fabric roof on a Saab of my aunties & killed it off with the Gtechniq & sealed with Autoglym and it lasted a good while without any problems at all. So much so they even sold the car and told the chap that if he ever wanted it doing to bring it to me to help.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

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    Correct me if I'm wrong chaps, but if the nanolex hasn't worked properly through the winter, that suggests that prep hasn't Been done properly before hand?

    I've done a fabric roof on a Saab of my aunties & killed it off with the Gtechniq & sealed with Autoglym and it lasted a good while without any problems at all. So much so they even sold the car and told the chap that if he ever wanted it doing to bring it to me to help.

    Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

     

     

    I would tend to agree - premature failure of the sealant is generally poor prep work.

    Although i don't know all the specifics int his instance....

     

    Maybe overdiluted or incorrect APC usage without adequate anti-bacterial agents?

     

    It does pay to do the prep well first time round - absolutely!

     

    Nanolex for the most part gets great reviews - as does Fabsil, Renovo and Gtechniq - BUT PREP IS KEY TO SUCCESS!!! :thumbup:

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    • Author

    I used Dettol on my hood to start, so that's hopefully sorted the anti-bacterial side :D

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