I'll bet a new nickel the US version has a disclaimer tag that says, "Do not operate the vehicle with this cover in place."

 

Thanks for this thread, everyone. I'm trying to recover a pretty disgusting top right now, and am using the techniques in the video. Here are some before pictures:





Gross ragtop1





Gross ragtop2





Gross ragtop3<br/>

 

I've had good luck cleaning with Raggtop's cleaner on fabric tops. I've recovered some pretty nasty tops with time and elbow grease. There are other great products from 303, Meguiar's, Duragloss, etc; for this purpose. Sometimes a redye is necessary but cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

I'm pretty happy with the results. I used Raggtop. The dark parts are where it hasn't quite dried yet. AND Brutus passed VA state inspection today. We're almost completely back on the road. The serpentine belt is moldy and about to fall apart, so I ordered a new one and will have it installed when it arrives. I'm really excited to get my little Brutus back on the road.

 

Wow! Very nice improvement. Good job.

 

Does anyone have a special favorite for fabric protector after cleaning the top? I'm sure I scrubbed off any possible protector molecules that may have remained.

 

303 makes a nice protector that works good. I use raggtop's which basically is a sprayed on wax layer.

 

+1 on the 303.

 

LoL

 

Has anyone ever used anything stronger to clean their top?

My 2014 MY has the light grey roof and 3-4 years of UK weather and presumably the previous owner being less careful than me has left it marked. Looks like ingrained dirt, grease, roadgrime, in short stripes. A bit like insect splats look on a windscreen.

I've used the usual Ragtopp and gentle rubbing of it in the fabric and improved it, but still not pristine. Deeply aware of the risk of damage by aggressive rubbing or solvents, but keen to hear if anyone has used something else on the F type that's a step up