Topic: Washing and a convertable top

[Slow_lane]

We announced the purchase of a Fiat 500 C convertible in show and shine. Never had a soft top before and wondering if anyone has tips on washing the car.

- Car I hand wash the whole car including top with regular car wash soap I normally use?
- Should I be concerned about taking car for a hand wash where they use a pressure washer to rinse the car before washing?
- Can I (or should I) ever take it through automated high pressure touch less car washes?

Car is currently park outside. We normally do not garage our cars. This is due to a single car garage that is really too full of crap to easliy accommodate the car. I will re-organize garage to store Fiat for winter season.

But with soft top I am wondering if I would be wise to start garaging this car during summer months as well. The size of this little fella would make that easier. I would think bird dropping must be a big issue on these tops.

Any advise is welcome.

[rrocket]

Is it a vinyl top or a fabric top?

My Boxster is fabric...so I do have experience with fabric tops.

[Slow_lane]

Is it a vinyl top or a fabric top?

My Boxster is fabric...so I do have experience with fabric tops.

It is a fabric top.

[EV Dan]

Gentle cycle and fabric softener FTW

P.S. download the owner's manual. There must be a paragraph or two there on the subject.

[rrocket]

Is it a vinyl top or a fabric top?

My Boxster is fabric...so I do have experience with fabric tops.

It is a fabric top.

Alright.

The very first thing I'd do is properly wash and then protect/water proof the top so you're at a known, good starting point. I used 303 products to do so and the results are pretty dramatic. Not only does the water bead, but it sheets right off!

303 (30520) Convertible Fabric Top Cleaning and Care Kit https://a.co/d/2Qin0mj

I used the method found here:  https://youtu.be/e-efGzzefRE


As far as touchless washes go, they generally use harsher chemicals (because touchless! ) and I'm not convinced the rinse is good enough to get all the harsh soap that may have seeped in to the top.

I would suggest a spray wash of some type and then applying a VERY good hydrophobic product to the car so it stays clean longer.

The product I use is quite spectacular in this regard as I spend $$$$ every year trying the latest and greatest products hoping one of them knocks my "Top Go To" products out of my list. The car looks darn near washed after a rain shower. I've sent a bottle to a forum member to try so perhaps he can comment to.

My current greatest, glossiest (instrument measured) topper/wax/sealant/quick detailer is Shinee Wax.
https://carzilla.ca/products/tacsystem-shinee-wax-spray-detailer-1000ml


And yes, it will be fine to be left outdoors AFTER you treat the roof.

[Slow_lane]

I was looking into the 303 fabric guard. Obviously you think highly of product. I am guessing the most important component is the Fabric Guard and not the cleaner. My roof does not seem that dirty and I suspect I could use another product to do the cleaning.

The reason I am asking is because Costco Canada has 2 bottles of fabric guard for $57.99. They are also 946 ml vs 1 bottle at 473ml in the $71.00 kit on Amazon. So almost 4 times as much fabric guard.

If required I can get the cleaner as a stand alone order for about $27.00 on Amazon. 

What say you sir.

[Fobroader]

This is what I used on the Jeep, worked like a hot damn to get rid of bird poop and mud stains

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/autoglym-convertible-top-maintenance-system-0392578p.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw_b6WBhAQEiwAp4HyIHLdgWdMCTNcqM_zrjnpNdreeJP8nEK0uTFStW8f7xWIoQsfXBA9lBoC7usQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=614

[Firm]

This is what I used on the Jeep, worked like a hot damn to get rid of bird poop and mud stains

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/autoglym-convertible-top-maintenance-system-0392578p.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw_b6WBhAQEiwAp4HyIHLdgWdMCTNcqM_zrjnpNdreeJP8nEK0uTFStW8f7xWIoQsfXBA9lBoC7usQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=614

I used this on the XKR (fabric top), great results, and 2 years later it still beads water right off. Of course, my car only gets wet once or twice a year, lol. You get plenty in the kit to treat it a few times....I did my XKR, the green XK I had last summer, and my dad's XK8, and still could probably do one more with what I have left.   

[rrocket]

I was looking into the 303 fabric guard. Obviously you think highly of product. I am guessing the most important component is the Fabric Guard and not the cleaner. My roof does not seem that dirty and I suspect I could use another product to do the cleaning.

The reason I am asking is because Costco Canada has 2 bottles of fabric guard for $57.99. They are also 946 ml vs 1 bottle at 473ml in the $71.00 kit on Amazon. So almost 4 times as much fabric guard.

If required I can get the cleaner as a stand alone order for about $27.00 on Amazon. 

What say you sir.

If the top isn't filthy, you could just give it a light scrub (with an appropriate brush! ) with water then protect.

Really depends on the dirt level.

The other product suggestions above would work too

[Firm]

Fabric tops do a really good job of hiding dirt, but it's in there...and dirt/grit will wear the fabric, especially when it's folded. I should've mentioned earlier, but I actually vacuum the fabric before washing it...then use the cleaner and brush (the AutoGlym kit gives a weird spongy thing that works well) before protecting. I've vacuumed between cleanings too, if I notice there's a lot of pollen/dust on the paint, then it's certainly on the top as well. 

[rrocket]

Agreed. They're dirtier than they look.

Really depends how/where the car is stored, driven, etc

[ArticSteve]

All I've every done is power spray the the fabric top from front to back.  Always garaged.  The sun takes these roofs apart.

[Slow_lane]

All I've every done is power spray the the fabric top from front to back.  Always garaged.  The sun takes these roofs apart.

Yikes!!! Never own a soft top before. Car will be garaged in winter but is going to spend summer months outside in afternoon sun. Garage is very small and I have too much stuff in there to easily accommodate it on a daily basis.  Hopefully applying a protector will help reduce the sun damage.

Based on latest feedback I am going to give the Autoglym kit a try. The price is right it is readily available and it gets good reviews. When applying protector I will use a foam roller as shown in video supplied my Rocket. I suspect it is much more effective and if I am careful I should not have to mask off areas from over spray.

Do not know history of the car but the top seems in excellent condition for a 2015 Fiat 500C. Maybe it was garaged. So at least I am starting from a good place.

Thanks for all the info.

[Firm]

All I've every done is power spray the the fabric top from front to back.  Always garaged.  The sun takes these roofs apart.

Yikes!!! Never own a soft top before. Car will be garaged in winter but is going to spend summer months outside in afternoon sun. Garage is very small and I have too much stuff in there to easily accommodate it on a daily basis.  Hopefully applying a protector will help reduce the sun damage.

Based on latest feedback I am going to give the Autoglym kit a try. The price is right it is readily available and it gets good reviews. When applying protector I will use a foam roller as shown in video supplied my Rocket. I suspect it is much more effective and if I am careful I should not have to mask off areas from over spray.

Do not know history of the car but the top seems in excellent condition for a 2015 Fiat 500C. Maybe it was garaged. So at least I am starting from a good place.

Thanks for all the info.

For the 'masking' part, the car is wet when you're applying the protector, so I just throw some old towels on the painted surfaces near the top to catch any overspray. Good luck!

[Slow_lane]

Both the 303 and Autoglym have a spray application. The video provided earlier shows guy using a small roller to apply 303 protector. I like this technique as it is easier not to get product on glass, paint and trim.  I am assuming if the roller work for the 303 stuff it should be OK for the autoglym that I bought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-efGzzefRE

Now just waiting for some free time and the right day to tackle this.

[tortoise]

I've used the fabric guard on a boat top and to redo the water proofing on my ski gear and rain coats. It works great.

These guys have good pricing.

https://www.thechandleryonline.com/product_info.php?products_id=7096

[Slow_lane]

Just an update. I finally cleaned and put protectant on my top. I combined advice given to me on this post. I used Autoglym product. I did not spray it on. I used a small roller and a brush to avoid over spray. Did get a couple drops on windshield that went unnoticed for a while. Man it was hard to get off.

I vacuumed the top. Wash whole car including top with car wash soap. Then wash the top again with Autoglym cleaner. Wipe off excess water and then rolled the protectant on while top still damp. I moved the car into garage to put protectant on. I did this to get out of sun and avoid any crap falling on top while I was working. It was a little hard to tell where protectant was applied you have to pretty meticulous to ensure you cover all areas. I am leaving car in garage overnight for product to cure.

I will find out tomorrow in the rain if I did a good job or not.

Thanks for the great advice.

[Firm]

Awesome. my XKR got wet yesterday for the first time this year - top still beads water like crazy, been at least 2-years since my last AutoGlym application, though the car is rarely exposed to elements so I'd expect it to last awhile.

[Slow_lane]

Awesome. my XKR got wet yesterday for the first time this year - top still beads water like crazy, been at least 2-years since my last AutoGlym application, though the car is rarely exposed to elements so I'd expect it to last awhile.

Raining today and no water beading at all on our Fiat 500. Not one bit. Not one section of roof is beading.  WTF!!!!! 

I really work carefully on this application. Used over 1/2 bottle of protectant. I rolled it on and followed up yesterday with spraying on a couple spots it look like I missed. There is no beading roof I rolled and the spots I sprayed.

I am sure the roof is cleaner now but it seems the protective qualities of this stuff are useless. How can this happen? How can it work so well for others and not me? So bloody disappointed.

When I head out later I will try and take a picture to show you.

[Firm]

Wondering if the type of roof material makes a difference in whether it beads or not?