Canvas Rooftop Query

[tolorati]

i was wondering, having a canvas rooftop is fun but how can i maintain it.some people tell me that i can use a shoe polish to maintain the black color of the canvas and some people tell me there is now way to deal about it. have some question to ask:1)Is it advisable to clean it with those chemical soap from any snow wash?2)Which is the best way to clean the canvas? Pure water?3)How can i maintain the color, it seems to look lighter in color everyday4)How can i restore the solid black color.it might just be me or i might be paranoid about the coloring. Some of this might be some dumb question, but then i hope that fellow senior member that have experience with this can help me out. thanks in advanceCheers

 

[RedZ4]

hey, why don't you just ask me this next time....

Posting questions about your Z4's canvas can only be answered by a very limited few. How many Z4 do you think are in this club?

I'll help you out. call me sometime.

1)Is it advisable to clean it with those chemical soap from any snow wash?
Yes, you can use soap and water to clean it but try to avoid very strong chemicals.
2)Which is the best way to clean the canvas? Pure water? Water and soap is good.
3)How can i maintain the color, it seems to look lighter in color everyday.
Start by buying a protective coating from BMW. You might have to order that part from Auto Bavaria.
4)How can i restore the solid black color. Not sure about restoring the color. I would suggest you keep the car parked indoors during the day.

btw, is you car ready for a drive? You should also get you buddies to come along.

 

[ah lian]

here is a good reference.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/articles.php?articleId=26


i think soap and water is just a start. You still need to treat the canvas top after than to maintain its waterproofing.

Autoglym has a special 2-bottle cleaner and protectant for fabric cabrio tops. Check it out!

 

[tolorati]

thanks for the info

 

[XXX]

helloo have u all registered for AD...its just 2 weeks away

 

[gcarch]

here is a good reference.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/articles.php?articleId=26


i think soap and water is just a start. You still need to treat the canvas top after than to maintain its waterproofing.

Autoglym has a special 2-bottle cleaner and protectant for fabric cabrio tops. Check it out!

Tried Autoglym's 2 bottle product. Works really well. Cleans the soft top well. Water simply beads off my soft top after applying the protectant! (imagine water droplets on a lotus leaf)

 

[Jeffroom]

welcome gcarch to the z's family...whr do i get it?

 

[gcarch]

welcome gcarch to the z's family...whr do i get it?

Hi Jeffroom.
erm...I bought it 2 weeks ago from an accessory shop in One Stop, Pulau Tikus, Penang. Cost me RM220 for the set of 2. (not sold separately) Good for 2-3 applications I think. :rock::top: I'm sure accessory shops in KL carry Autoglym products.

 

[tkw]

welcome gcarch to the z's family...whr do i get it?

Jeffroom, I got mine from AB for RM320, I think. It's BMW Part No: 83 12 0 395 085. It comes in a convenient package box of a bottle each of the car shampoo, plastic care emulsion, convertible roof cleaner, impregnating agent and resin remover. They got this in stock because they are selling the Z3 previouslyand now the Z4 so I guessed this is part of the service backup.

 

[Jeffroom]

Thx bro...

 

[namiaz]

i was wondering, having a canvas rooftop is fun but how can i maintain it.
some people tell me that i can use a shoe polish to maintain the black color of the canvas and some people tell me there is now way to deal about it. have some question to ask:

1)Is it advisable to clean it with those chemical soap from any snow wash?
2)Which is the best way to clean the canvas? Pure water?
3)How can i maintain the color, it seems to look lighter in color everyday
4)How can i restore the solid black color.

it might just be me or i might be paranoid about the coloring. Some of this might be some dumb question, but then i hope that fellow senior member that have experience with this can help me out. thanks in advance

Cheers

Following this topic i did a search myself for a reliable rooftop grooming and found this outlet in Desa Sri Hartamas (behind True Fitness) called Swissvax. Yes to those who are familiar, its a detailing shop, but have a go with uncle Jessie the owner, he drives a classic e30 convertible and when I asked him about rooftop grooming and how to get it solid black like his and nicely beads.... well to cut the story short, it can be done for just RM800 -- the package includes cleaning, colouring then waterproofing. Do check him out and u'll get lots of info. My proposal is get it done first with him, so u get a nicely newly done roof, after that do a regular maintenance (as in every 3 weeks?) with the BMW Convertible Clean Kit. Been doin that ever since

Good luck

 

[Z3 2.2i]

Soft Top Care

Hi,

A cheap way to maintain my soft top.

I use KIWI silicon spray I bought from JIM Hardware ( RM 23 per can), the same stuff they use on rain coats/tent/car covers/boat covers/canvas shoes/back pack which protects them from the rain. I spray my soft top every few month ( Spray the first coat, wait for 4 hours, spray another coat ). The silicon spray causes the rain water to just glide right off ( amazing) and the colour looks darker after each spray.

maybe my way is wrong but so far.....works fine.

Rgds
Z3 2.2i

 

[saat]

I recently bought and used the BMW Soft-top kit. I followed the instructions to the letter. When I sprayed water and later when it rained, I was puzzled that the canvas still gets wet and there's no beading.

From my research, I found out that the BMW Soft-top is made up of 3 layers.

The outer canvas layer is a weave of various fibres that is not designed to be waterproof. This outermost layer is lined on it's inner side with butyl rubber. It is this butyl rubber that is the waterproofing barrier.

The inner layer, the one seen from inside the cabin is made from polurethane foam and polyester fabric to serve as finishing and insulation.

Between them is a thick layer of insulating polyester which serves as sound proofing and heat insulation.

Water must be allowed to permeate the "canvas" fibres and is trapped by the butyl rubber layer and flows out.

So usage of improper detergents or protectorants only serves to deteriorate and unbond the butyl rubber lining, and clog the fibres. The canvas fibre layers must be allowed to breathe. To allow it to breathe, it must be properly cleaned to remove dust, dirt and any contaminant like bird droppings or tree sap that clogs the spaces between the fibres. Application of waterproofing to the fibres will do long term damage. Even the application of Scotchguard and other outdoor equipment, upholstry or apparel waterproofing agents are strongly not adviseable because it causes the fibres to be clogged.

Do not apply wax to your soft-top because it will also clog the fibres. Wash & wax shampoos and shampoos used by car wash contains wax that has the same effect. Use a soft brush if brushing is required.

The color can be restored using color revivers. Fold line and chafe marks can be masked by these color revivers but the color will fade quickly and the fold line marks will reappear as soon as you fold your soft top. Do not use a hard brush to remove chafe and fold line marks because it will just cause the material to wear away and worsen the mark. For color longevity, avoid using improper detergents and application of other protectorants cos they have been known to leave marks and cause discoloration. Store the car in a covered car park or use a car or half cover.

 

[tequilashots]

good to know these info as i am just about to ask the same question. anyhow, it has been raininh almost on a constant basis here in kl, and i am searching for any info yo maintain the canvas roof.

on top of that do you owners actually drain your roof drainpipes, as has been regularly practiced in the z4 forums net ?