[mrevelle]

I checked the search to see if this had already been posted. Couldn't find anything.

I have a 2006 with a tan convertible top. About 2-3 months ago, I noticed black round mold spots on both sides of the top. Since then it's spread over much of the middle, from side to side, and down towards the back of the top. I don't park under trees and am not sure how it started growing. I figured it would have faded first in this hot Georgia sun. I haven't had the top down for several months and am always sure that when I did put it down there was no water, etc, on the top. I took it to a local dealer who said that if they cleaned it the cleaning solution would remove the waterproofing. Surely there's something that can take the stuff off(?) I am also wondering if the mold is covered under the warranty since I have bumper to bumper (It's not the top premium warranty, but the one just below...the silver or something like that warranty). Any help as to how mold happens, what can be done to remove it, etc. Thanks!

[BullMeister]

Don't know how to remove the mold spots but if you wipe the top down with Downey fabric softener every once in a while (couple times a yr should do it), it won't mold anymore. Water it down first, don't use it straight. Eighth cup to a gallon of water is more than enough and could probably be thinned out even more. There's something in the fabric softener that instantly kills mold and keeps it from growing back. I learned this trick from having pop up camper trailers.

Anyone that lives in the Southeast and has to deal with high humidity in thier vehicles or left a window cracked during a rainstorm and now has a musty smell in thier vehicle, if you use Downey in a rinse & vac and clean the fabric and carpets it will remove the musty smell permanently. Just make sure to use a small amount. If you use too much your vehicle will have the Downey perfume smell for a long time.

[stlwagon]

Originally Posted by BullMeister

Don't know how to remove the mold spots but if you wipe the top down with Downey fabric softener every once in a while (couple times a yr should do it), it won't mold anymore. Water it down first, don't use it straight. Eighth cup to a gallon of water is more than enough and could probably be thinned out even more. There's something in the fabric softener that instantly kills mold and keeps it from growing back. I learned this trick from having pop up camper trailers.

Anyone that lives in the Southeast and has to deal with high humidity in thier vehicles or left a window cracked during a rainstorm and now has a musty smell in thier vehicle, if you use Downey in a rinse & vac and clean the fabric and carpets it will remove the musty smell permanently. Just make sure to use a small amount. If you use too much your vehicle will have the Downey perfume smell for a long time.

Now that's some useful information

[hotshot]

Originally Posted by stlwagon

Now that's some useful information

+1 on being useful. i will keep that in the back of my mind just in case.

[Jim D.]

Mold on a tan top is pretty tough, as anything that will remove the mold is also possibly going to slightly discolor the the cleaned area versus the rest of the top. White's easier to deal with in some aspects.

I would check out the local Marine shop for a cleaner appropriate for the material and color.

[mrevelle]

Thanks for all the advice.