Keeping Your Soft Top From Falling Apart in the Aussie Sun

Never, ever do this in direct sunlight. If the roof is hot to the touch, the cleaner will dry too fast and leave nasty streaks. Chuck it in the garage or wait until the arvo when the sun's dropped.

Before you touch a drop of water, vacuum the whole roof. Use a soft brush attachment. I've found that if you wet a dusty roof immediately, you just turn that dust into mud and push it deeper into the weave. Get the loose stuff off first.

Give the rubber seals around the windows a quick look. If they're cracked, be extra careful with the hose. No dramas if they're good, just don't blast them directly.

Use a gentle spray. You want the fabric saturated but you're not trying to pressure-wash the thing. Cool the surface down.

Spray your dedicated cleaner evenly across the roof. I usually work in quarters. Don't be stingy, but you don't need to soak the car in it.

Use your horsehair brush in small, circular motions. You'll see the suds turn brown or grey, that's the years of road grime coming out. I once did a black Porsche that had lived near a construction site; the water coming off it looked like chocolate milk.

This is where most people mess up. You need to rinse until the water runs crystal clear. If you leave soap in the fibers, it'll attract more dirt and mess with the sealant later.

Don't rub the fabric with a towel. Use a clean microfibre and pat it down to soak up the bulk of the water. Then, let it air dry completely. It needs to be bone dry before you even think about the protector.

While it's drying, tape some plastic or old sheets around the edges of the roof. Protectant on car paint is a pain to level out, and on glass, it's just plain annoying.

I reckon two thin coats are better than one thick one. Spray in a cross-hatch pattern (left to right, then up and down). This makes sure you don't miss any spots in the weave.

If you did get a bit on the paint or trim, wipe it off immediately with a damp cloth. Don't let it bake on.

Most sealants need 12-24 hours to cure. Keep it out of the rain and don't fold the roof down during this time. I made this mistake once on my missus' car, folded the roof while it was still slightly tacky and it ended up with permanent crease marks. Big mistake.