Hood Waterproofing

[MisterP007]

Hood Waterproofing

Whilst it was dry yesterday afternoon I applied some soft-top waterproofer as the rain just soaked the fabric previously. This is the stuff:

GTechniq I1 V2 Smart Fabric 500ml Protector Guard Car Convertible Roof Repellent | eBay

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£18.75 for a 500ml bottle which just (and I mean just!) did one coat. Left to dry overnight and this morning the water beads up and runs off (pics to follow). Does that count as weight reduction?

 

[JimS]

GTechniq products are usually first class but they do cost a lot for what they offer.
I use Fabsil Gold once a year, available as either a paint on liquid or spray. It is sold as a tent and fabric waterproofer. Works exactly as you describe and it supposedly gives protection against UV and mould, though I have never owned any one convertible long enough to see any changes.
It's about half the price of the specialist soft top treatments.

 

[MisterP007]

GTechniq products are usually first class but they do cost a lot for what they offer.
I use Fabsil Gold once a year, available as either a paint on liquid or spray. It is sold as a tent and fabric waterproofer. Works exactly as you describe and it supposedly gives protection against UV and mould, though I have never owned any one convertible long enough to see any changes.
It's about half the price of the specialist soft top treatments.

Fabsil Gold! I will look it up

 

[colb]

Always used the original Fabsil on mine with good results, just make sure you clean it well first, I used natural soap flakes and a small nail brush followed by a good rinse with clean water. Once dry apply the Fabsil with a paint brush and allow to dry. Next time I will try the Fabsil Gold. Make sure you mask the windcreen and side windows so you dont get it on them or the paintwork below the rear window. Also use some Gummi Pflege rubber conditioner on all the rubber seals around the hood to keep them supple.

 

[MisterP007]

Going to try the Fabsil Gold next time ready for the winter.

 

[Mint]

Yep, I used Fabsil Gold this year, very pleased.

 

[MisterP007]

Morning all

Just read the following on PistonHeadsfrom 2015.

"Went to buy some more Fabsil to proof the roof on my 450 and noticed that there is now "Fabsil Gold" that has 5 times the level of silicone in it. However, if you look at the technical sheets, you notice that the Gold doesn't have the UV protection that the Fabsil Standard has.

I enquired with the Manufacturer and their technical guy responded that they had to remove the UV protection element from Fabsil Gold in order to get the extra silicone in. They recommended Fabsil Standard as being better suited to car roofs as the UV protection will prolong the life of the material. They recommended just putting a second coat of Standard on if needed".

This may be a case of "less is more". I have just ordered a 2.5l tin from amazon for £16.11. I should get about 3 treatments from this (2-coats each).

Fabsil Plus UV Paint on Proofer - Black, 2.5 Litres : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Fabsil Plus UV Paint on Proofer - Black, 2.5 Litres : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[JimS]

Good research. I prefer the Gold because of the waterproofing gain, living in the UK. The standard version does not bead water as well. However, if you leave your car in the sun, sounds like the original may be better over time.
Has anyone used the Renovo products? They do a separate cleaner, reviver and proofer.

 

[MisterP007]

Mine lives outside in the summer (what summer?) and probably all winter too as I cannot be bothered to put it away in my workshop as it is 400 yds away! As my teachers used to say "must try harder!"

I am always worried that I will not hear anyone breaking into the workshop as it is at the bottom of the field down a long drive. At least if the car is parked outside the window I will hear the Bastxxxs trying to nick it.

 

[Mint]

...
I enquired with the Manufacturer and their technical guy responded that they had to remove the UV protection element from Fabsil Gold in order to get the extra silicone in. They recommended Fabsil Standard as being better suited to car roofs as the UV protection will prolong the life of the material. They recommended just putting a second coat of Standard on if needed"...

Mine lives under a car port and under a sheet when she's not out and about. When she is out the roof is down (as long as it's not raining heavily), so not too worried about UV damage.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Did the full Renovo treatment on my old Z3 after bird muck stains spoilt the look of the top. Cleaner first followed by the black dye and finished with the proofer. It looked really smart afterwards, but I did buy an extra tin of the dye to make sure I didn't skimp on covering the roof properly. As mentioned by someone,I masked off all the glass and surrounding bodywork after cleaning the roof before using any dye and proofer.

 

[ktnez99]

Always used the original Fabsil on mine with good results, just make sure you clean it well first, I used natural soap flakes and a small nail brush followed by a good rinse with clean water. Once dry apply the Fabsil with a paint brush and allow to dry. Next time I will try the Fabsil Gold. Make sure you mask the windcreen and side windows so you dont get it on them or the paintwork below the rear window. Also use some Gummi Pflege rubber conditioner on all the rubber seals around the hood to keep them supple.

Does using a paint brush leave marks in the fabric hood after it has dried?

 

[ktnez99]

Good research. I prefer the Gold because of the waterproofing gain, living in the UK. The standard version does not bead water as well. However, if you leave your car in the sun, sounds like the original may be better over time.
Has anyone used the Renovo products? They do a separate cleaner, reviver and proofer.

I have and hate the products! Wouldn’t recommend Renovo products whatsoever.

 

[Nodzed]

Good research. I prefer the Gold because of the waterproofing gain, living in the UK. The standard version does not bead water as well. However, if you leave your car in the sun, sounds like the original may be better over time.
Has anyone used the Renovo products? They do a separate cleaner, reviver and proofer.

Very unimpressed with Revono proofer though I do like their soft top cleaner, use Standard Fabsil for the last 4 years.

 

[JimS]

Does using a paint brush leave marks in the fabric hood after it has dried?

No mate, no marks left. It mostly seems to soak into the fabric, nothing to see at all once it dries, though it does smell a bit odd for a day or so while the solvent evaporates fully. The advantage of brush application is being able to control where it goes better than with a spray.