Technical Looking after the hood

[larkim]

Hi

I'm running my '97 B as my everyday car, and I don't have the luxury of a garage to overnight the car in. I know that in the long run this will lead to her demise, but unfortunately I have to get my kicks while I can!!

Are there any good hints for looking after the hood? I've just got the stock vinyl hood. Are there any cleaners that work really well (or more importantly any that I must must avoid?)

TIA!

Matt

 

[docorangepeel]

Most of the damage that gets done to hoods is when its down. When putting the hood down place one towl over the top of the hood when its up and role up another towl into a tube and place it in the middle of the window, now fold the top down.

The role towl will stop the plastic window from folding to much and give the window a nice soft fold. The other towl is to stop the hood from rubbing when you drive over all the bumps.

Other things you can do are, stay well away from trees !!! Bird crap and tree sap are a real pain.

Never fold the top down when its wet or even damp !! big NO NO,
Never fold the hood down when its real cold but sunny day, its bad for the plastic window as the plastic is stiff and can crack.

In the winter you could even make a hood cover for when the car is parked at home.

Few things that might help.

Doc Orange Peel

 

[Alan.D]

What's the best type cleaner, I assume wash n wax won't cut it.

 

[leenay]

I got some of this: http://www.renovointernational.com/

The cleaner is pretty powerful but the waterproofer is excellent at protecting the hood - you simply apply it with a paint brush every 3 months or so and it should protect the hood from absorbing water. There is a vinyl version available so get that. I know there is also stuff available from halfords like halfords own and also an autoglym cleaner I think but Renovo does a great job. It is not cheap but even the small version of it should last a while as you don't to use as much stated on the bottle.

 

[Nino_1975]

BMW do a great PVC cleaner, £8 I remember, come sin a cream form.

Get down to them...