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Got an MX-5, how do you clean a soft-top?

A new car has come into the family (an MX-5) and I was thinking, how do you clean a soft-top?

I've never really thought about it before.

It's got bird dirt on it as well as just general dirt.

What do you use, or do you just clean it normally as if it were bodywork?

Any advice... :tsr:

Reply 1

pghstochaj

11

Most people say clean it as little as possible, this may help:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=29

Also quite a lot of good info on this search:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cleaning+cabriolet+hood&hl=en&lr=&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2005-26,RNWE:en&start=0&sa=N

I would rather not suggest anything as every hood is different and I don't want to be responsible for a certain method destroying your hood lol.

Reply 2

Né Stig

15

They tend to just use water on my mates soft top, but spraying it with a high powered jew washer. 3 years on and its still pristine.

Reply 3

Navajo

OP

14

Thanks, yer just been reading the MX-5 forums and they recommend a synthetic, neutral detergent, lots of warm water and a soft brush.

And also a water-based, leather treatment or vinyl top dressing, such as Liqui Molli.

Never heard of that so I'll have to look it up :p:

Reply 4

pghstochaj

11

Guys on MX5 forum will know best - As I say, different materials are always used, different qualities, protection, colour, texture etc. so it depends on the car or even specific hood model. Trust them :wink:

Reply 5

Gio

3

Just out of curiosity, does the roof top leak? cos I may get one of these sometime later when I get a decent job

Reply 6

Lofty

13

Well, for mine i bought a 'roof care kit' from Mercedes, works a treat! Would highly recommend it.

Reply 7

Navajo

OP

14

Gio

Just out of curiosity, does the roof top leak? cos I may get one of these sometime later when I get a decent job

I'm getting it next monday, so I'll let you know :smile:

Reply 8

Né Stig

15

Gio

Just out of curiosity, does the roof top leak? cos I may get one of these sometime later when I get a decent job

and had a sex change :flute:

_{i'm gonna get roasted for that}

Reply 9

Navajo

OP

14

walshie

and had a sex change :flute:

_{i'm gonna get roasted for that}

Na, I agree to a point, but I'd challenge you to drive one and not have a smile on your face when you get back out of it.

Reply 10

_Jax_

1

This isn't particularly helpful but I know someone in America who swears by fast orange hand cleaner for anything delicate car related. Dunno if you can find it here tho :/

Reply 11

Navajo

OP

14

_Jax_

This isn't particularly helpful but I know someone in America who swears by fast orange hand cleaner for anything delicate car related. Dunno if you can find it here tho :/

lol thnx..

Reply 12

randomuser#6

I saw two old grannies in a turqouise MX-5 today

Reply 13

topless_mx5

Its fairly obvious that those of you coming out with the girlie comments are jealous of MX5's, if they really were as rubbish as you all claim then surely you would just keep your mouth shut.

As for the original question, I have a soft top cleaning kit from Halford for £20. Includes a cleaner which you rinse off gently with a hose, and then when its dry you can apply the soft top conditioner and then leave it at that. I clean it about once every month or so.
If you get birds pooing all over the soft top then just get a wet cloth and it should wipe off.

Reply 14

randomuser#6

I'm sure handling wise and performance wise it's a good car in it's class, but the styling isn't to everyones taste.

Reply 15

Lofty

13

topless_mx5

Its fairly obvious that those of you coming out with the girlie comments are jealous of MX5's, if they really were as rubbish as you all claim then surely you would just keep your mouth shut.

How is it obvious people are jealous? We're all different, and some people just don't like them, me included.... Second bit doesn't make much sense either, sorry.

Reply 16

Navajo

OP

14

Lofty

How is it obvious people are jealous? We're all different, and some people just don't like them, me included.... Second bit doesn't make much sense either, sorry.

I don't like them, but after driving one my opinion has changed 100% and it's just a fun car.

Reply 17

Lofty

13

No doubt it probably is a fun car, i just dont like the look of it :smile:

Same as mine is a fun car (makes me smile all the time anyway :biggrin:

) But some people hate the looks of it. I'm not going to slate them for it like topless_mx5 seems to be, thats their opinion, i'm not going to try and change it.

Reply 18

Né Stig

15

topless_mx5

Its fairly obvious that those of you coming out with the girlie comments are jealous of MX5's, if they really were as rubbish as you all claim then surely you would just keep your mouth shut.

As for the original question, I have a soft top cleaning kit from Halford for £20. Includes a cleaner which you rinse off gently with a hose, and then when its dry you can apply the soft top conditioner and then leave it at that. I clean it about once every month or so.
If you get birds pooing all over the soft top then just get a wet cloth and it should wipe off.

Jealous? ;laugh;

Anyway back on topic - the roof cleaning should eb done with this :flute:

Reply 19

SuperhansFavouriteAlsatian

Who said it was a crap car? People just said it's girlie. It's official: The only males who own this car are hair dressers. They are the Ford Ka's of the cheap sports car world.

Got an MX-5, how do you clean a soft-top?

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