Body/Trim: Convertible roof and Gtechniq I1

[christheancient]

Well spring is just around the corner, supposedly. And time to do something (at last) about my C70 rag-top.

The plan is to have my very shabby, worn, stained and grubby convertible roof re-canvassed. It is completely beyond redemption. The mildew marks and calcified bird poo stains (some neglect in the car's past that I knew about when I bought it) have resisted all efforts (including a Water/Milton mix and much scrubbing with APC and proprietary cleaners). And, apart from which, some extreme wear to the canvas in the usual places has taken its toll. So a re-canvas is the answer.

Then... comes the care of the new one. Yes, I know AG do some very good products for canvas; but another forum member (Sasha) did hers with Gtechniq I1; and I have seen some good reports on it with a bit more research on the subject and might go that way forward.

But the question I have, is if I do use a nano treatment like that, how long does it last. Google searching seems to suggest up to five times as long as 'normal' repellents. Is it that efficient and long lasting?

[wimorrison]

I use this stuff on the MX5 roof and it excellent though the beading of water stops after about 3 months at which point you simply reapply which takes 5 mins - the cleaning compound cleaned up the roof to pristine black and it was far from that when I got the car.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car...aintenance-kit

This stuff has also just been released and they say it works on roofs also http://stormsure.co.uk/default/storm...erproofer.html if it is as good as the rest of the Stormsure stuff then it will be good.

Should have said that the MX5 has a mohair roof - don't know what the Volvo has

[Ninja59]

You are best doing one roller coat of I1 and then one spray on one.

As durability it has lasted well inside my MX5 not on the outside but I would take the timescale claims with a pinch of salt as many of them are definitely shorter than what many advertise!

[christheancient]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

I use this stuff on the MX5 roof and it excellent though the beading of water stops after about 3 months at which point you simply reapply which takes 5 mins - the cleaning compound cleaned up the roof to pristine black and it was far from that when I got the car.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car...aintenance-kit

This stuff has also just been released and they say it works on roofs also http://stormsure.co.uk/default/storm...erproofer.html if it is as good as the rest of the Stormsure stuff then it will be good.

Should have said that the MX5 has a mohair roof - don't know what the Volvo has

When I first got the car, I used the AG stuff, and it was, basically OK. But with the unpredictability of UK weather, the thought of something longer lasting (albeit dearer) does appeal! BTW, the current roof is a canvas one.

Originally Posted by Ninja59

You are best doing one roller coat of I1 and then one spray on one.

As durability it has lasted well inside my MX5 not on the outside but I would take the timescale claims with a pinch of salt as many of them are definitely shorter than what many advertise!

Interesting the thought of a roller application! I saw one video on youtube and the guy sort of 'forced' a coat on by rubbing it in with a soft cloth.

As the price of Gtechiq I1 isn't horrendously greater than other products to do the same job, the claims for it do sort of look good. Hence to question! Even if it were to make the long-lasting only twice as much, it would be worth it.