I searched for any recommendations on the cleaning and care of the Cabrio top. Didn't find any. Perhaps one of the expert detailers can make some recommendations. Agranger, BradB or Octaneguy - got any tips/tricks, recommended products and/or techniques?

BTW, just finished reading agranger's (& BradB's) excellent sticky with regards to detailing. I'm so pumped to give it a go. Think I'll try it on our 2002 Ford Expedition first to be sure I get the technique right.

Cheers

 

I don't claim to be an expert detailer, but here is how I clean the top.

Water only, no soap. I use a soft brush to loosen any dirt if needed and then rinse off. When it's dry, in between washes, I use a lint roller, the kind with the layers of sticky tape to remove any dirt or debris that accumulates.

My dealer applied some sort of protectant to the top when I got her and so far, water still beads up pretty well so I haven't tried any other protectants. I've heard that 303 Fabric Guard is pretty good if you don't already have a protectant installed.

Phil

 

I find the tops are already treated so just car wash soap and water is all thats needed. Use an absorber to soak up 100% of the water.

 

How about over time? Does the roof ever dry out and become brittle? If so is there a preventative action to take to avoid this?

Thanks so much for your replies.

 

Be sure to use a "flagged" brush only. A flagged brush has bristles that are split at the end providing a soft, gentle scrubbing surface. Wheel or body brushes work well. Don't use stiff upholstery or tire brushes, these will damage the fibers in the top.

Wash your top everytime you wash your car. Auto shampoo is fine for maintenance but use a dedicated top fabric cleaner once a year. More if your car lives outside or gets really dirty. Pay particular attention to the seams and folds.

Re-apply protectant annually or more if it stops beading well.

My favorite cleaner and protectant is Raggtop.

 

I am not an expert detailer, but I used Raggtop on my former top and it was TERRIFIC The water beaded up and ran off the roof just like the little mercury ***** we used to play with in Science class a thousand years ago...
I recently had the top replaced due to the wear issues mentioned elsewhere on NAM, and plan to use the same thing on it!!

 

Raggtop. It's recommended by Hartz...the company that manufactures the cloth top.

 

Another vote for Raggtop products (water rinse and brush every cleaning,
the Raggtop cleaner (see link 3 posts above) every once in a while, or when needed,
and the Raggtop protector http://www.autopia-carcare.com/wps-2141.html
every year or so). Don't have a MINI Open, but this is what I do for my
wife's VW Cabrio with a fabric top.

 

Thanks for the good info. I have never had a convertible so forgive the ignorance here. I will be sure to get the Ragtop cleaner.

Sounds like the top may need to be replaced before it even has a chance to get too dirty based on some of the Cabrio threads.

Anyway I am preparing for our new arrival by stocking up on the recommended Mini-care products as wonderfully described by BradB & agranger. We expect Tilly to be here before the end of June - can hardly wait. The wife and I will be cruising the mountains, topless (Mini not wife ) soon.

Thanks again.

 

The lint roller works great! It takes the lint and white stuff off and leaves the top looking like new...beautiful. I'll have to check out the Raggtop for the future. I don't imagine we will need to do too much actual scrubbing of the top though since it's our "nice weather"car and won't be seeing much fall/winter weather.

 

I have been using the raggtop stuff and it's great
a lot of people are using the 303 stuff with great results as well

hope that helps,
regards,
Charles

 

As previously stated by a couple of people, I would go with the RaggTopp cleaner and protectant. They are great, and they are endorsed by Haartz, the manufacturer of almost all convertible tops used by carmakers today.

If you get the RaggTopp product, make sure you get the protectant specified for FABRIC tops, as they also make a protectant for Vinyl/PVC tops.

The Mini's convertible top, like most BMWs, is made of fabric. The RaggTopp fabric protectant is the only one I know of that contains an antifungus agent to prevent mildew and mold in addition to its UV protection and water-resistance.

Some people also recommended the 303 Aerospace Protectant/High Tech Fabric Guard. It's a good product as well, and definitely better than no protection at all, but it doesn't offer the mold/mildew protection that RaggTopp does, and it's not recommended by Haartz either.

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We have a thread on this in the Cabrio forums, as well...

CLICKY!!