How do you care for your top?

There are WAY too many products out there!

Do you clean it then use a protectant?

How often do you perform this ritual?

Thanks in advance-

 

Had an 05 MCS convertible for three years (the one in my cartoon signature) . Every time I washed the car, I rinsed the fabric of the roof with the hose on a high-pressure setting to get the dust and dirt out it. Then once I year, I used a fabric top rejuvinator from these guys... can't go wrong with their products:

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

You're very welcome. Maybe others will chime in with their preferences but seems Renovo products have been a long-time favorite of most convertible-top owners.

 

Yeah I hope so... I was worried about washing it for the first time. I keep it garaged when it snows, and we don't get much rain. I mean obviously it's meant to be exposed (lol) but still I want it to last!

 

I have had good results with Raggtop cleaner and fabric top protectant. I don't use the cleaner every time as my cars are garaged and stay pretty clean. Once you have the top clean and dry, use blue painters tape & paper where you don't want overspray - put on a couple coats of the protectant and it will seal out water for a long time. When it starts to soak in again it's time to recoat it.

 

RaggTopp!!!!!!

This is the product that is recommended by the manufacturer of the material that is used on almost all convertibles made in the world. Including Mini.

For normal washing of the car, I ONLY spray it with water. I never get any kind of soap or detergent on it. Period.

Twice a year, once in the fall before winter and once in the spring before summer, I use RaggTopp's cleaner with a light brushing with a soft brush. After a thorough rinse and complete dry, I give it a good spray with their protectant. I just did my fall treatment yesterday.

Ya gotta know that if RaggTopp is recommended by the world's manufacturer of convertible top material, it's gotta be good.

 

Thanks for the info.

I'd been wondering what to do with the top on my Roadster after the winter. I've been doing the same as martinb over the summer, just water and nothing else, just the hose and maybe a little sponging with a clean sponge if there was anything the water alone didn't shift. This will be the first winter, so anything from the factory should still be on there.

In the spring I think I'll get the salt and dirt off with water and a sponge or brush then give it a go with the Raggtop stuff based on these recommendations. Does that sound like a good plan?

 

Just use a horsehair brush with RaggTopp cleaner to clean it, that will get rid of all the dirt and salt.

 

I like to treat it just before the winter rains and such.

 

Try here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cloth-top.html

 

You can buy a MINI Convertible Soft Top Care Kit here:

http://www.shopminiusa.com/PRODUCT/6...T-TOP-CARE-KIT

It's not exactly cheap but I don't think anything with the official MINI logo is. You can also buy the products in the kit individually if you don't want the entire kit.

 

'Far better to go to Amazon.com and buy the Ragg Topp products.

 

I have a funny problem. My brother's cats love to sleep on the warm top and I can't get the cat furr out. Any suggestions.

 

Garment lint remover, those cylinders on a handle with the sticky tape. With patience, the upholstery brush on a shop vac will also get it too but it takes a lot of time.


PS: There's another solution but that would create a whole 'nother flurry of posting activity not needed right now.

 

I tried duct tape thinking the garment rollers were more lame than duct tape. I'll give rollers a try. I've learned to put the car cover on as soon as I arrive.

 

Lint roller, get the 3M version or Scotch. Take your time and it will take a couple sheet.

Get a car cover like this and the Cats seem to not like to jump on this one ( maybe because of the checker pattern ?), I have tested it on my R52. Its an indoor cover, will work outside, but does not hold off the rain ( but holds off everything else) , it will get a little wet underneath. Just let it dry out in the sun.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/FKXTB401/






MINI has new Factory Convertible top cleaner / protection, its two stage. Have not tested it out yet. But I sure it will work. I have used the older MINI soft top kit, which is now NLA, worked good.


Soft Top Cleaner - 16oz 83192339689

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/83192339689/




&

Soft Top Repellent - 8oz 83192339697

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/83192339697/





Wash the top with regular car soap, , when wet use the cleaner, helps a bit more.


thanks

 

Amazing. I went to the Mini dealer looking for the top treatment for my 05 (It was garaged at home and car ported at work by the first owner so the top is in excellent condition). I told the parts guy what I was after, chatted a moment then asked him 'how much' and he said just take it!!!

 

Yes, I get either the MINI logo-ed or the BMW logo-ed top care products, and I clean and treat the top ounce a year. I do it during one of the car washes, takes just a few minutes more for a full year of protection.

Motor on!