I washed my F-Type S8 with my new high pressure crasher today. After all was done, the roof showed swirl marks where the swirling crasher jets hit the cloth. Now, when looked at in sun light, one can see all the water marks swirls. I thought it would dry and evaporate off under the hot sun of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but they are still visible.

Any ideas.

 

-> deleted... was thinking glass top of coupe and not canvas of convertible... sorry...

 

DO NOT DO THIS!

The roof material is a type of soft canvas, like Sunbrella boat-canvas not vinyl or plastic like cheaper convertible roofs. It's very expensive. Plastic polish will stain it probably irreparably.

The top has water-repellant treatment on it. It's too late now, but you shouldn't have power-washed it, because you likely removed the water-repellant coating in spots. All that's really required is hosing it off with low pressure water, and at most using a soft brush and gentle soap. The same thing that repels water, repels dirt.

 

This will help make it less noticeable but not completely gone.
303 (30520) Convertible Fabric Top Cleaning and Care Kit (make sure you get one for fabric top)

 

+1. The dealer may be able to advise you where or how to get the water repellant reapplied. An auto restorer (in Saudi?) could also accomplish this.

 

-> deleted comment... was thinking glass top of coupe and not convertible... sorry...

 

Chemical Guys has plenty of product and videos for cloth top!

 

I wash mine with low pressure water and use the chamois to dry. When dry I also use some duct tape or masking tape wrapped inside out around my hand so sticky side out and pat the roof with that to remove any fluff and pollen and dust etc.

 

I'm not promising that this will remove the marks, but it certainly is my product of choice for renewing the dirt and water repellant properties of the original fabric/coatings - Gtechniq I1

I have never tried his product, however it seems popular - Google, Raggtopp.

FWIW: I hose mine gently, using a small soft brush to lift any dirt/dust, then blow dry with a leaf blower, finish drying with a microfibre and then spray I1 regularly. I I1'd the interior as well!

 

+1

This is all I've ever need to do. I've not even used any kind of soap because it hasn't been necessary to keep it looking showroom new. I just hose off bird droppings, etc., and dry with no trace. The coating on the roof seems to repel just about everything, so my goal is to not compromise it in any way.

In fairness though, my car is in a garage both at home and work.

 

True. UV is far harsher on a soft top than any of the other natural elements. I am wondering whether the contemporary water repellents have advanced UV protection.

 

Thank you all....

I am hoping nothing drastic had happened to the top and that it is factory coating was strong enough to have withstood that one mistake.

I did do an additional wash with water soap (no pressure this time), and the marks have almost disappeared and are largely not noticeable except in few places.

We had a dust storm to days ago, and after washing the roof (no pressure again) it was as good as new, no evidence that that dust penetrations or marks visible where the repellent was supposed to have been damaged. So i guess all is ok.

And i will never do that again.

Thank you all for setting me strait so quickly.

 

I second the Raggtopp recommendation.

Both Raggtopp cleaner & protectant are tremendous products and can be had through amazon.

Just make sure you get the products designed for fabric, not vinyl, as they offer both.

That's where I would start.

 

It's great to hear that there were no ill effects.