Convertible Top Care Strategy

nickgsa60 · 03-19-2021, 11:10 AM

New F23 owner here. And also first time fabric top owner trying to create my care plan for the top. I won’t be taking it to car washes. I’ve already had it professionally coated with a Gtechniq fabric protectant. It’s beading like crazy. Here’s what I’m thinking-- please jump in with feedback and advice from personal experience!

In between washes: lint roller for light dust and pollen removal. I’ve already tried this and it works great. I tried a vacuum and that was way less effective than the lint roller.

Wash time (tentative plan, haven’t washed yet):
If top seems clean I’ll just hose it off and dry with a microfiber towel
If slightly dirty, I’ll use a horsehair brush while hosing it off
If significantly dirty, I’ll try either Griots interior detailer (very gentle) with horsehair brush or interior cleaner (slightly more cleaning power) over the entire top

Bird bombs and other random contamination: maybe just a spritz of water or Griots interior detailer and horsehair brush to spot clean? I’ve read you shouldn’t spot clean a fabric top… but seems better than leaving a bird bomb on it…

Thanks in advance for any feedback or experience! BTW, it’s a moonlight top, which I really like, I think it adds a cool texture.

John in VA · 03-19-2021, 07:24 PM

See https://carcarespecialties.com/soft-top/

overcoil · 03-19-2021, 09:31 PM

neighborhood across from mine, owners have a very good looking light blue 230 convertible with a dark blue top thats parked outside. and after all these years the top looks fantastic and I don't think they're using any high-end or serious hand washing routine.

just wanted to suggest that you don't need to get too worried about top degradation.

I buy stuff from carcarespecialties, great customer service. P21 auto wash has a very nice car wash soap that seems like it would be excellent for a BMW soft top.

https://www.p21s.com/portfolio/p21s-...oning-shampoo/

E46ZHP2 · 03-21-2021, 07:35 AM

Recommended by the top manufacturer...
https://wolfsteins.com/products/ragg...protectant-kit

Ajowhan · 03-31-2021, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46ZHP2

Recommended by the top manufacturer...
https://wolfsteins.com/products/ragg...protectant-kit

+1, this seems to be one I see more often. Just ordered mine and will be trying this

60_Driver · 04-07-2021, 09:22 PM

Was about to ask the same Q. New F23 owner here. Ty for input.

Ajowhan · 04-16-2021, 11:36 AM

So I ended up trying the raggtop protectant kit. There is only one choice for the cleaner, however the protectant comes in fabric vs vinyl, I make sure to get fabric for mine. To be honest, I can't really tell much of a different. I
t seems my fabric might have some kind of protection (Not sure if its from previous owner or thats how it come oem from manufacturer). Water was already beading and running off the sides before the application.
However, the piece of mind is sure worth it for me.

03-19-2021, 11:10 AM	#1
nickgsa60 Private 53 Rep 70 Posts Drives: BMW M240i BMW 328i Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Convertible Top Care Strategy New F23 owner here. And also first time fabric top owner trying to create my care plan for the top. I won’t be taking it to car washes. I’ve already had it professionally coated with a Gtechniq fabric protectant. It’s beading like crazy. Here’s what I’m thinking-- please jump in with feedback and advice from personal experience! In between washes: lint roller for light dust and pollen removal. I’ve already tried this and it works great. I tried a vacuum and that was way less effective than the lint roller. Wash time (tentative plan, haven’t washed yet): If top seems clean I’ll just hose it off and dry with a microfiber towel If slightly dirty, I’ll use a horsehair brush while hosing it off If significantly dirty, I’ll try either Griots interior detailer (very gentle) with horsehair brush or interior cleaner (slightly more cleaning power) over the entire top Bird bombs and other random contamination: maybe just a spritz of water or Griots interior detailer and horsehair brush to spot clean? I’ve read you shouldn’t spot clean a fabric top… but seems better than leaving a bird bomb on it… Thanks in advance for any feedback or experience! BTW, it’s a moonlight top, which I really like, I think it adds a cool texture. Attached Images
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03-19-2021, 07:24 PM	#2
John in VA Colonel 1162 Rep 2,398 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	See https://carcarespecialties.com/soft-top/ __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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03-19-2021, 09:31 PM	#3
overcoil Major General 3117 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	neighborhood across from mine, owners have a very good looking light blue 230 convertible with a dark blue top thats parked outside. and after all these years the top looks fantastic and I don't think they're using any high-end or serious hand washing routine. just wanted to suggest that you don't need to get too worried about top degradation. I buy stuff from carcarespecialties, great customer service. P21 auto wash has a very nice car wash soap that seems like it would be excellent for a BMW soft top. https://www.p21s.com/portfolio/p21s-...oning-shampoo/ Last edited by overcoil; 03-19-2021 at 09:36 PM..
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03-21-2021, 07:35 AM	#4
E46ZHP2 Private 57 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2020m240ixvert Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: new england iTrader: (0)	Raggtop Recommended by the top manufacturer... https://wolfsteins.com/products/ragg...protectant-kit
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04-07-2021, 09:22 PM	#6
60_Driver Private First Class 59 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i 6mt vert Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Was about to ask the same Q. New F23 owner here. Ty for input.
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04-16-2021, 11:36 AM	#7
Ajowhan Lieutenant 293 Rep 549 Posts Drives: m240i 'vert Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	So I ended up trying the raggtop protectant kit. There is only one choice for the cleaner, however the protectant comes in fabric vs vinyl, I make sure to get fabric for mine. To be honest, I can't really tell much of a different. I t seems my fabric might have some kind of protection (Not sure if its from previous owner or thats how it come oem from manufacturer). Water was already beading and running off the sides before the application. However, the piece of mind is sure worth it for me.
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