[Saffa_G]

Anyone got tips on cleaning products, method and frequency for cleaning a convertible roof?

[overcoil]

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ACCESSORIE...-CARE-PRODUCTS

Have read Porsche forums where the guy likes the BMW products better then the Porsche branded products - some quotes "of owning a cab I have found that the BMW products to be way superior to that sold by Porsche." and "The Porsche top waterproofing product is notorious for leaving a patchy finish and you have to be extremely careful when applying the product so not to get it on the paintwork."

Also when washing your car use very high quality car wash.

As for tools for the top, high quality towels (horse hair brush) and nothing remotely abrasive, never a plastic bristle item. And convertible top should be cleaned in the cool shade, yes it may rain on a very hot top but be aware of having surfactants (cleaning agents) on a convertible top.


You'll read about this product also- http://www.autopia-carcare.com/raggtopp.html

[BEM-S4]

I have used the BMW product for years now and it's excellent. Typically do fall / spring. My father's 2006 330ci looks like the top is brand new. Granted it has 35K on it and is garaged but still.

Do the cleaner then the sealer and you will be good to go. Just let it dry overnight. I recently did my 2016 and it looks better than new.

[msej449]

I'd second the BMW care products. We live by the sea and that means seagulls, which are a problem whether hard-top or fabric. The BMW products have worked well over the last 14 months of ownership. Just be prompt to clean if you do suffer 'birdstrike' or heavy tree sap etc.

I vacuum-clean the fabric regularly and this removes a surprising amount of stuff off the surface, so I'd recommend doing a vacuum-clean, with the brush attachment, as a preliminary part of your bodywork wash routine.

My roof fabric has a strong bias and cleaning seems to work better if I vacuum or wash along the bias line. The weave will catch anything rough so don't wipe it with a cheap sponge, chamois leather or cloth, as this will catch the fibres.

Otherwise I just use the BMW cleaning spray and waterproofing as directed. The re-proofing only needs to be done a couple of times a year unless it's out in the open air all the time (see the instructions).

The manual recommends you don't fold-down the fabric top if it's wet, or at least, don't store it for any length of time in a wet state. It also says to keep the fabric top up and stretched, even if the car is garaged and the weather is warm. This to prevent creasing.

I sometimes also vacuum the top in the part-folded state, as there are a couple of wear points not accessible when up. If you do this be careful - if you stop the fold process half way (to do this or perhaps clean the guttering on the body, or the storage recess in the boot top) be aware that the hydraulics de-pressurise after 30-90 seconds, and the mechanism will suddenly move under the weight of the hood and tonneau cover. You don't want to have your hands in the mechanism when this happens.

[BEM-S4]

Not so much a cleaning tip, rather a prevent from needing to clean tip, always wax the car with the top down. Getting wax on the fabric is almost unavoidable and a mess to clean up.

[mdputnam]

For daily cleaning (OK really weekly) I use a lint roller. It's amazing how much crap is on the roller even after washing the car and gently scrubbing the top with a soft bristle brush.

[SteveInfante]

I?ve used RaggTopp I got from AutoGeek.net with great results in the past on the Z4.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mdputnam

For daily cleaning (OK really weekly) I use a lint roller. It's amazing how much crap is on the roller even after washing the car and gently scrubbing the top with a soft bristle brush.

+1 I have a case of those in the garage.

[gaushell]

BMW soft-top cleaner. 16 fl oz is discontinued. any recommendations?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by gaushell

BMW soft-top cleaner. 16 fl oz is discontinued. any recommendations?

I thought Sonax made the bmw car cafe products - so may want to start there

https://www.sonax.com/Products/Exter...ft-top-cleaner

https://www.sonax.com/Products/Exter...f-impregnation

[Cumberlandjames]

I used 303 Fabric guard and protectant on mine and very pleased with the results. Comes in a kit with a 16 oz. bottle of each. As stated, it doesn't hurt to vacuum the top to remove any loose debris in the fabric. Just follow the directions on the box. Mine beads water like metal, well almost, but it is impressive to see how water just rolls off. I found the best price at a marine store as opposed to auto supplies.

[mdputnam]

Originally Posted by gaushell

BMW soft-top cleaner. 16 fl oz is discontinued. any recommendations?

I would recommend ordering this soft-top cleaner!

(6-4-2018) Oh No! it appears that the BMW Soft Top Cleaner is NLA on shopbmwusa.com

[gaushell]

thanks everyone!

[Saffa_G]

Thanks for all the info!

I'll buy a bottle soon.

As a side tip I did find that using a lint roller on my roof also removes a great sea of debris too - give it a try. WARNING: you might be considered a clean freak of caught lint rolling your roof #justsaying

[BEM-S4]

FYI BMW doesn't offer this anymore. I switched to chemical guys as it's a lot better - plus no weird reaction on a top that had previously been treated with BMW products.