Input please

Paul Rice

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 7, 2013
Points
198
Location
Doncaster
Model of Z
Z4 2.5
I was given that advice by the guy at Soft Tops in Coventry. The difference he made to a crabby looking, stained soft top with the sample area he did in the space of 30 seconds was amazing. It dried dark black having been grey. He actually said to avoid Renovo. Unfortunately he couldn't do the whole roof for me as he'd just put a new rear window in for me and had to use a bit of sealant where the fabric was damaged and it was still wet.
Had my roof fitted at The Soft top shop, Stockport, he too said avoid Renovo!
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)

littlefeller

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Points
168
Location
evesham
washing up liquid on the roof:D but then im real tight=)) very dilute though, and a soft bristle scrubbing brush, i tried steam cleaning it once but it just kept on pushing out salt of the roof, no matter how many times i went over it, the salt just kept coming back, maybe if i had gone over it a couple of hundred times it would stop and finally be real clean, but it just goes to show how much muck is trapped in the roof.
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
washing up liquid on the roof:D but then im real tight=)) very dilute though, and a soft bristle scrubbing brush, i tried steam cleaning it once but it just kept on pushing out salt of the roof, no matter how many times i went over it, the salt just kept coming back, maybe if i had gone over it a couple of hundred times it would stop and finally be real clean, but it just goes to show how much muck is trapped in the roof.
If it was a domestic cleaner it's unlikely to be up to the job. I've had to invest in an industrial steam cleaner that runs off diesel. Not cheap, took me ages waiting for one at the right price. It's not the beefiest but still knocks spots off a domestic one. I paid £350, it's a Karcher 500ci. Not just for the Z3 roofs of course it will find a load of uses.



Had a quick go on the paving stones and it did a good, quick job. Looking forward to doing a Z3 roof when I have more time next week.
 

littlefeller

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Points
168
Location
evesham
hey i got one of those knocking about in the warehouse, its diesel powered but never thought of using it on the roof, and yes mine was a domestic one (hand held tiny thing, though it might be ok for the engine)
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
hey i got one of those knocking about in the warehouse, its diesel powered but never thought of using it on the roof, and yes mine was a domestic one (hand held tiny thing, though it might be ok for the engine)
Give it a go (carefully). I really was astonished at the demonstration I saw. Of course it rained water inside at that pressure. So take precautions.
 

littlefeller

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Points
168
Location
evesham
Give it a go (carefully). I really was astonished at the demonstration I saw. Of course it rained water inside at that pressure. So take precautions.
i have seen it done on youtube, its surprising how much muck comes out, i was always worried about shrinkage.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)

Davyhoogy

Zorg Guru (III)
Joined
May 4, 2016
Points
148
Location
Sunderland
Model of Z
'98 2.8 z3
If i avoid renovo like some of you have said, what's the best way to get the top back to proper black?
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
If i avoid renovo like some of you have said, what's the best way to get the top back to proper black?
Honestly, steam cleaning should return it to black. It's just the cr*p in it making it discoloured. I've seen a grey roof turn black right in front of me. Straight steam clean, just a few seconds work.
 

Davyhoogy

Zorg Guru (III)
Joined
May 4, 2016
Points
148
Location
Sunderland
Model of Z
'98 2.8 z3
Sweet, I'll get to looking for a decent steam cleaner that can clean it for me before a new window goes in
 
Top