Let me start off by saying I'm a Noob. I just got an 05 Hyper Blue "S". I stopped by to see a friend with a Porche cab and he suggested using Raggtopp cleaner for extending the life of the top. I did a search and only found one mention of Raggtopp.
How many use it and does it work. One thing I didn't think of was vacuming the top before cleaning as the grit is what kills the top.
Pleae don't flame me if this topic has been beaten like a dead horse, like I said I'm a Noob and will have lots of questions that may be helpful to other Noobs.
I've come from the world of motorbikes (Triumph 1050 St is the latest) and they don' t have rag tops only rain suits. I just extended the fun season to 12 months

 

First, welcome to the MINI obsession!

When I wash the car, I just use the hose to rinse the top (may also use a soft brush) and don't use any cleaners or soap. If something gets on the top that won't rinse off, I'll use a mild cleaner (I have Raggtopp for this). Once a year (at least) I'll clean it really well and treat it with a protectant. I've used both Raggtopp and the protectant sold by the dealer for this and can't really say one works better than the other.

FYI, there are several threads here about this if you want to do a search for more info about cabrio top care.

One additional thing, if you put the top down when it is really dusty/dirty, dust will cause additional wear on the fabric over time. You can vacuum it, but I've had good results with just rinsing it really well.

 

For my Z3 with beige top, I use canvas cleaner that I bought from a boat supply store. But I use it rarely since I have water-proofing chemical on my top; the cleaner will reduce the effectiveness of the water-proofing chemical over time. Most of the time I just hose the top with plain water.

 

I used RT on a previous vehicle (VW Turbo Convertible) and it is an excellent product. Use a good sponge for the cleaner, rinse thoroughly and when dry use the spray-on preservative. You should protect the painted finish from overspray when using the preservative. When finished your top will "bead" water like new.

Also a good trick is to "regularly" clean the top with a lint cleaner (the kind with a very sticky roll of tape).

 

I use Raggtopp twice a year and it seems to protect very well and a lint roller can also be a good friend.

 

http://www.haartz.com/en/consumer_in...p_cleaning.asp
This is why people like Raggtopp

 

Raggtop and 303 both works equally well, from my experience. I do a thorough cleaning once a year (more often if needed) and apply protectant on a regular basis.

 

Baking soda and water worked a treat on a white vintage mustang covertible top for me, Check with others first though as I don't want my success to be your failure. Rather you be safe than sorry.

Peter

 

This will be obvious to some, and a surprise to others.....

But be careful when reading discussions about cleaning convertable tops....

I've had a soft top in the garage for most of the last 25 years. Some tops are vinyl and some are waterproofed cloth. The same cleaning and protection products are NOT used on both....

Be aware and be smart....

 

I got the 303 kit from Summit on ebay. Good deal and works great. Have enough cleaner to do again, but it took all 16 oz. of protectant. I'll do it again next spring.

Perry

 

303 seems to work nicely. The top looked nice and dark when I was finished cleaning and protecting it, and I drove from Sacramento to Vacaville in the pouring rain a week later and the inside remained bone-dry.

 

The Top is always down therefore I need not clean it.....

hey Central, I've been watching the DVD of Zappa Plays Zappa... disk 2 is incredable... I've even managed to get a feew people who hate Zappa(girls) to listen to it and think it's Great....

 

Eardrum, have you seen them live? I went to the show in Berkeley last year and the band blew me away. I saw Frank there in 1981 and Ray White played that show as well as with ZPZ! Dweezil is a maniac on the guitar - amazing. They're playing 4 dates at the Roxy next month, which I wish I could see but can't...
Sounds like I need to get the DVD!

 

We've been using RaggTop Cleaner and been very happy with it. Works great and really protects.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/product...cat=322&page=2

 

Note that the protectant is NOT needed to waterproof the roof... MINI cabrio roofs have an inner rubberized layer that makes them waterproof... the protectant is primarily for protecting the fabric itself from UV and contaminant damage - but also helps it shed water.

So, short version: the inside will remain bone-dry whether you use a protectant or not.

FWIW, I use 303 with great results.

 

I use 303 cleaner and ultimate fabric protectant (think that's what it is called). I got big 32oz bottles for cheap from a boat supply place (First Marine comes to mind, but that might not be the place).

Water poured on the roof beads up amazingly. If you thump on the roof with your hand, the beads jump up and down on the roof and fall off like marbles. I've never seen anything like that. I did this to a new roof. Before I used the 303, the water was repelled alright, but nothing like with the 303 on there.