Cleaning and care of roof

[Raveydavey]

Hi all. Being my first soft top I’m wondering if anyone has any tips on how to best look after/clean the roof? Or even the car?
I’m guessing that car washes are out and a hand car wash and someone with a pressure washer also probably isn't a good option.
The manual isn’t really helpful as it just states “don’t get the roof completely wet”!
Do they have a tendency to leak when driving during heavy rain etc? No just the Cyberster but all soft tops?
It’s my plaything at the moment and am probably being a bit too protective of it by not wanting to take it out in the rain.
Are them any special treatments required or recommended for the roof?
TIA

 

[CybersterWatcher]

The way I wash mine is:

Hosepipe wash to get all surface dirt off, this includes saturating the roof.

Hand wash with a soft mitt over the body. I wash any part of the roof that’s picked up any bird dirt as well with the same soap

Hosepipe off all of the soap. If any has got into the roof I apply copious amounts of water until the roof runs clear

Then a quick liquid wax and wipe down.

I then open the boot. There is a void under the black plastic and water gets trapped. You’ll get a load of water that runs down the boot sides and out of the drain holes. It’s probably good to clear them out to be honest.

No pressure washer or car wash used and I don’t trust anyone to wash it but me.

Be very careful amount the MG and Cyberster logos on the boot, they’re not stuck on well and you can easily damage them or rip them off.

Mine is coming up to a year old now so I need to buy and apply some convertible roof protector to apply.

 

[dsimpkins]

As advised above.

Don't have a Cyberster, but my daughter has a convertible Beetle. Car washes, and pressure washers are a definite no. A previous owner must of used one on her car as there are marks on the roof that would suggest a pressure washer was used on it. They are now permanent.

Plenty of videos on YouTube about how to care for a convertible top. There is a great video by an American lady with a Porsche Convertible that is excellent.

There are also specific products you can get for cleaning convertible tops. You will want a cleaner, and a protector (the latter you use less often to maintain the water proofing) You can use a soft bristle brush (gently) to help agitate and remove the dirt. Follow the directions of the product you get. There are also dyes for older convertibles with a faded roof. Personally I like the Supagard range of car cleaning products.

As stated above. The drain holes can get blocked by dirt and debris over time. I bought a tool for clearing the drain holes in the car, as we noticed under the rear seat was wet after rain on one side. Turns out a drain channel for the roof was partially blocked. Tool is a length of thin flexible plastic with a small bristle brush one end, and a grip at the other. About a metre long total.

 

[Raveydavey]

Thanks for both the replies. Very helpful.

 

[4Rens]

This gentleman is a leading expert in car cleaning in the Netherlands.
Watch the video and see how to clean and maintain a convertible roof.
(You don't need to understand Dutch to get the gist.)

 

[Jay Dee]

This gentleman is a leading expert in car cleaning in the Netherlands.
Watch the video and see how to clean and maintain a convertible roof.
(You don't need to understand Dutch to get the gist.)

Wow that is involved! I actually thought I was starting to understand Dutch then I realised that every 5th word or so was English

 

[m0rph]

Wow that is involved! I actually thought I was starting to understand Dutch then I realised that every 5th word or so was English

English is a linguistic sponge, it has absorbed more than it has given. So every 5th word you use, you borrowed from others. Just so you know

 

[Jay Dee]

English is a linguistic sponge, it has absorbed more than it has given. So every 5th word you use, you borrowed from others. Just so you know

I was being mildly sarcastic