How to remove and prevent Mold on cabriolet soft top

[VicW]

I bought a 2012 A5 2.0 TFSI Quatro 18 months ago and now notice that mold is growing on it. How best do I remove it and prevent it coming back please? Also what is best to use and when to renew the water proofing of the hood?

[spartacus 68]

Read this on a Porsche forum, but if it’s good enough for them, and they are bleed’n particular, then it will work.

It’s all in the preparation, and you’ll need a garage, and car out of action for at least 3 days. And the roof has to dry twice, not easy given current temperatures, so mobile heater would help.

Wash the roof with ph neutral shampoo, nothing with wax or shine additives. Use soft nylon bristle brush and work into the cabriolet roof to remove stains and algae/mould, and rinse thoroughly with jet wash. Let it dry. Use G-Technic Tri-clean spray and remove all contaminants with fresh microfibre cloths. Apparently it can be diluted with distilled water. Let it dry again. They recommend at least a couple of days.

Vacuum the roof, yes you read that right. Any lint on the roof needs to be removed. Use vacuum hose and soft brush attachment. At this point your neighbours will be talking!

You might want to mask the car’s bodywork for the treatment. Use G-Technic I1 Smart Fabric AB V3 and work into the roof. Use gloves and remove over-spray on body work or glass, hence masking. Leave for further 24 hours.

Products aren’t particularly cheap, but neither is a new roof. Most of it is preparation, but it’s V3 is hydrophobic once applied and should protect it.

Rear glass can be treated with glass polish, etc.

 

[VicW]

Many thanks Richard, seems a lot of work but I do like the car so it will be worth it.