Auto Express Best soft top cleaners 2023

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Best soft top cleaners 2023

Fabric hoods need special care to clean and protect. We find the best combination

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/90391/best-soft-top-cleaners-2023

Looking after your car’s exterior is important and never more so than when it comes to a fabric soft-top. Like your paintwork, it’s constantly subject to the ravages of rain, snow, sun, airborne detritus, bird lime and tree sap.

On a car that you use regularly, it’s advisable to clean and reproof the roof twice a year. This is important because mildew in effect ‘eats’ the roof, causing it to rot and need replacing sooner.

When attending to your roof, don’t work in direct sunlight and treat the entire area to avoid a patchy finish. Some products need the roof to be damp and others have to be left for a while before removing – so check carefully. Test an inconspicuous area for colour fastness and remove loose dirt using a stiff brush or vacuum before starting.

How we tested them

Autotrim (autotrimmer.co.uk) kindly supplied an old hood for our test. We brushed it off before applying the cleaners/proofers as per the makers’ instructions. It was left in the open, where it was under attack from all forms of weather and the local wildlife. At the end of the test period, we awarded marks for the effectiveness of the products, as well as their ease of use and value for money.

Verdict

With a new proofer formula and perfect performance, the Gtechniq pair stay at the top. But the new Turtle Wax combo pushes them hard, with Protex balancing performance and price in third spot. 

 

 

1.  Gtechniq W5 Citrus All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate & I1 Smart Fabric V3
2. Turtle Wax Soft kit Hybrid Solutions FabricSoft Top and Interior All-in-One Cleaner & Protection Kit
3. Protex Canvas Cleaner and Waterproofer