BMW Convertible Top Spray

[PanamaE30]

How the hell do I use it?

It may sound like a stupid question, but at $12 a bottle and $600 a top, I'd like to make sure I'm doing it right :)

And no, it doesn't have instructions. Anyone have experience with it? I wanna scotchgard my top once i'm done with that.

[///M42 sport]

I know your not suppose to get it on your paint.

[PanamaE30]

Shit, I didn't know that.. Heh.. good thing I asked lol. Any other feedback? What do I use to apply? A brush? A towel? etc..

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

are there any kind of directions on teh bottle?

[Mike 91 318ic]

I bought some from the dealer a couple years ago for my old top, there was instructions but I can't remember exactly what they were. I "think" it was mixed 50/50 with water, then sponge it onto the top in the shade... I remember it not working very well as I didn't notice a difference in water repellent. If your top is new it should be already treated, the shop that did mine said it was and water beeds up still to this day two years later.
I guess you could look online by searching under the product manufacturer's wesbite

M

[PanamaE30]

Re: BMW Convertible Top Spray

are there any kind of directions on teh bottle?

And no, it doesn't have instructions.

Well. My top isn't all that resilient anymore (it rains 9 months outta the year here.. hard).. At any rate, I just want to clean the top, for water resistance i'm scotchgarding the bastard.

[Jon '92 325ic]

Try this....

When I spray protectant on (after washing and letting top dry of course), I roll up the windows slowly, one at a time, with a page of newpaper stradled over the top of the window. So that when you're done rolling up each window, there will be one half of the page hanging inside the car and one half of the page hanging outside the car. This will protect the windows from getting any protectant on them. Then cover the front and rear window with newspaper (or hold the paper up against the front and rear window with one had while you spray).

If you hold the can close to the top (6" - 12") when spraying, you shouldn't get any on the body of the car (assuming you're in an enclosed area with no wind blowing). I also keep a soft, wet cotton towel handy in case some protectant gets on the paint so I can wipe it off immediately.

Let the protectant dry completely and then apply another coat. You can apply as many coats as you'd like, just make sure you let each coat fully dry before applying the next coat.

Lastly, DO NOT PUT YOUR TOP DOWN FOR 48 HOURS after you've applied the last coat.

[PanamaE30]

Sweet thanks. That's the kinda info i was looking for.

So I don't wanna like scrub or anything like that? I have a tan top, so it gets dirty and i wanna get that out.

[Jon '92 325ic]

So I don't wanna like scrub or anything like that? I have a tan top, so it gets dirty and i wanna get that out.

You don't scrub when applying the protectant, you scurb when cleaning. An auto-detailing supply store will sell brushes for cleaning canvas convertible tops. They have long arms so you can easily reach the center and soft bristles so you don't damage the canvas. They're inexpensive too. I think I paid $7 for mine a few years back. But again, this is something you'd do when cleaning the top, not applying protectant. Protectant is either sprayed on or painted on (depending on which brand of product you use). No agitation is involved (or recommended).

I'd recommend a product called Raggtopp. It's just as good as all the rest but available at more outlets. Whichever product you choose, it will usually come in a kit/set with a cleaner and a protectant. You wet the top, spray on the cleaner (one section at a time, not the whole top at once), agitate with cleaning brush, hose off completely, let dry and then apply the protectant in the manner I described earlier.

If you're still not happy with the results, you can dye your top (Renovo in the UK sells a kit). Same directions as above except once you have the car ready to apply the protectant (with windows covered with newspaper) you paint on the dye with a 2" paint brush). If you get any dye on the windows, let it dry and scrape it off with a razor. If you get any dye on your paint, you can wipe it off with the soft, wet cotton t-shirt if the dye hasn't dried. If the dye has dried you can get it off your paint with detailer's clay. After the dye dries on the top, you can apply the protectant.

[///M42 sport]

where's a good place to buy raggtopp?