Cleaning a car hood

Dangermouse

Dangermouse

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Does anyone know of a good method of cleaning a hood on a convertible, I have some Auto glym hood restorer but it needs to be put on a damp hood and left on for up to 48hrs:eek:
 
I seem to remember there being something better/cheaper than the Autoglym stuff. I assume it's a mohair hood on the Saab, Pete?
 
yes Graham, looks like its been parked under trees at some point


Thanks Colin will have to look for a cleaner
 
Renovo is another brand that you can get, but I seem to remember cleaning the hood on my mum's car with something far more "household", but that was years ago :thinking:

Autoglym stuff is :thumbs: though
 
Go to www.detailingworld.com and search, or register and ask.

There are a few different types of material used for convertible roofs (or should that be "rooves"?) and it's important to use the correct product and procedure.

It also depends on what is wrong with it - if it's dirty then you may be lucky with some normal car wash, but if it's faded you'll need to restore the colour. Beware that some colour "restorers" simply put a layer of silicon over it, which darkens it and makes it look black again. A few washes or some good rain later and it will be back as it was.

Don't forget to take some before, during and after shots :)
 
Thanks outlore, it looks like the green mossy stuf normally found on fabric roofs when the car has been parked under trees
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Thanks outlore, it looks like the green mossy stuf normally found on fabric roofs when the car has been parked under trees
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Ah ok, do you know what the roof is made from? Sounds silly, but there are mohair roofs out there which need special cleaning products and procedures.

Have you tried regular carwash? I wouldn't use a household detergent as they tend to contain a lot of salt and will be very difficult to rinse properly. In fact, at level one, I would try just water and a soft brush - on a small area first to test. If you can remove the moss without any product at all, I would imagine you'll be better in the long run.

I'm pretty sure that some of the more specialised manufacturers like Zymol or Meguirs make roof treatments that will help preventing moss and other contaminents in the future - but be aware, if you thought AutoGlym was expensive, wait until you see the price of the really specialised stuff!!
 
Renovo is good. So is Raggtopp. Brush the loose dirt off best you can before using a wet cleaning method, as this helps stop the dirt from becoming ingrained in the fabric.

Once clean, use 303 Aerospace protectant, applied sparingly with a sponge (rather than using the spray bottle). Leave that to dry (That's important, as rain will make it drip down the paintwork and make a mess.), and you're left with a nice dark, matte black hood, which is protected from UV rays and the ravages of the British weather. Job's a good'un. :thumbs:
 
thanks for the advice all and outlore I think its the original hood and havnt a clue what its made from is there a way I can tell
 
I have found a forum that has a section dedicated to saabs and more interesting someone has the same dirty hood and they recommend the auto glym system
 
I've not tried the Autoglym roof cleaner, so can't comment, but I wouldn't recommend the spray on stuff they do for "enhancing" the look of the roof. It makes it shiny and rubbish-looking, when you want a nice matte finish. Although, come to think of it, that might be vinyl restorer, which is no good for mohair anyway. :thinking:
 
The stuff I got with the car is auto glym cabriolet fabric hood cleaning kit which has cleaner and protector
 
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That's probably fine then. The vinyl protector is quite good for keeping the engine looking shiny, if that's your thing!
Some people like the glossy look on the roof, to be honest. Not sure why. Let us know how the Autoglym stuff turns out, if you don't mind. :) Might be something different for me to try on mine!
 
GrittyShaker said:
That's probably fine then. The vinyl protector is quite good for keeping the engine looking shiny, if that's your thing!
Some people like the glossy look on the roof, to be honest. Not sure why. Let us know how the Autoglym stuff turns out, if you don't mind. :) Might be something different for me to try on mine!
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I will once its done, be in a couple of days :thumbs:
 
Used the Autoglym fabric stuff on my MGF, worked a treat on that.
 
1. Pop down to Tesco's and buy some of their Daisy APC (All purpose cleaner), Mix it up at about 10:1 with water (10 parts water).

2. Go online and get some of this its brilliant. I've applied it twice in the last year on my Audi and it repels water like you wouldn't believe, good value too.

How to use:
Hose down the roof, then apply the Daisy APC with a spray bottle and work into the hood with a soft brush, nothing too tough. You should see the dirt being lifted out of the fabric. You can use similar products here, you just need something that can be diluted and is not going to harm the fabric.

Then, when you've done all the hood, rinse with a hose/watering can and dry thoroughly with a cloth.

Then, once the hood is completely dry, spray with the 303 fabric guard, and leave to dry naturally. job's a goodun! :)
 
GrittyShaker said:
Renovo is good. So is Raggtopp. Brush the loose dirt off best you can before using a wet cleaning method, as this helps stop the dirt from becoming ingrained in the fabric.

Once clean, use 303 Aerospace protectant, applied sparingly with a sponge (rather than using the spray bottle). Leave that to dry (That's important, as rain will make it drip down the paintwork and make a mess.), and you're left with a nice dark, matte black hood, which is protected from UV rays and the ravages of the British weather. Job's a good'un. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Didn't Prince Harry get in trouble for using raggtop in't desert :shrug:
 
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