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dave griffiths

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Points
24
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4, 2.5
Hi and thank you for accepting me onto your forum/group, just purchased a 1997 z3 roadster and looking for a bit of advice:

1 whats best to clean mildue off a roof and reproof it

2 is it possible to replace a bulb by the odometer

Thanks in advance Dave
 

hard top

Zorg Expert (I)
Dutch Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Points
213
Location
Netherlands
Welcome on the forum.
There are loads of products for the soft top and people will be on soon with advice on both questions.
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi Dave, welcome from me near Lincoln. Removing the clocks to change bulbs is easy. I did a write up on that earlier this year. If you need a couple of bulbs let me know and I'll post you some. Autoglym do a very good kit for cleaning and re proofing soft tops, you can buy it at Halfords if you have one local or get it of the internet.

Tony.
 

dave griffiths

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Points
24
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4, 2.5
Hi Dave, welcome from me near Lincoln. Removing the clocks to change bulbs is easy. I did a write up on that earlier this year. If you need a couple of bulbs let me know and I'll post you some. Autoglym do a very good kit for cleaning and re proofing soft tops, you can buy it at Halfords if you have one local or get it of the internet.

Tony.
Never used a forum before and i have to say the speed of this and the quility of replys so far is fab! Thank you for the info ill track the thread through! I am not mechanically minded but really want to have a go at this project! The zed ive bought is in real good condition and everything seems cosmetic really! Roof has green stuff growing on it so going to need to get that cleaned first i think
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Never used a forum before and i have to say the speed of this and the quility of replys so far is fab! Thank you for the info ill track the thread through! I am not mechanically minded but really want to have a go at this project! The zed ive bought is in real good condition and everything seems cosmetic really! Roof has green stuff growing on it so going to need to get that cleaned first i think
Hi Dave look in Z3 Roadster and Coupe section on page 10 for how to remove the "clocks"

Tony.
 

dave griffiths

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Points
24
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4, 2.5
Thank you looks do able! I am guessing the bulbs for the odometer are the ones at the bottom?
 

Mac Romans

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 13, 2015
Points
157
Location
Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Model of Z
My s***'s custom!
Can't help with the clocks but cleaning....that's kinda my thing.

There are many roof cleaning products to use but the better ones have two products, a cleaner/conditioner and a reproofer.

The cleaner is obviously used first but you need to apply it liberally if it's really dirty and rub it in with a soft cloth. It'll product a green foam which can be rinsed off, dabbed dry and repeated.

Once the worst of it is off you do it again but this time use a soft nail brush. It's really good for getting stubborn marks from the edges. If you need to you can partially lower the roof to get better access. The brush also agitates the mohair so if you work over any shiny areas where the roof folds when down it can bring them back. Just be careful to blend in where you use the brush or you can see you've used it and where you haven't when the roof is dry.

As for the proofing, use as directed but generally it's a case of spraying on and dabbing of the excess with a clean cloth. Any overspray on glass, paint or rubber will not cause issues as long as you clean it off straight away i.e before it drys.

If you're thinking of using a product to stain the roof dark again be very careful to get one that's intended for your roof. I've seen a roof ruined but using a product not suited to mohair to the extent it looked so bad it had to be replaced. Personally I think a good clean and proofing restores a roof well enough not to need anything else.

Happy zedding.
 

Zeti

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Romanian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Points
167
Location
Bucuresti/ Romania
Model of Z
Z3 roadster 1.9
Welcome Dave! Enjoy the car and the forum!
And also the participation to the first Zed.org cruise!
We've seen here that distance it's not a problem for Zed meetings: we have members UK meeting US members in USA or US people in UK, I'll try to meet UK team in Nederland next year and so on...
Dan
PS @Mac Romans : what a great write up!
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
Hello from Mansfield. Not to far up the road so may well see you on some events. Have we seen a pic if your Zed yet? :D
 

oldcarman

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
Canadian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Points
188
Location
Pine Falls Manitoba can.
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Hi again Dave, I'm amazed no one is pleading for pics yet so I'll start"!please, please post pics! ". And welcome again from Canada!! JIM
 

dave griffiths

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Points
24
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4, 2.5
Can't help with the clocks but cleaning....that's kinda my thing.

There are many roof cleaning products to use but the better ones have two products, a cleaner/conditioner and a reproofer.

The cleaner is obviously used first but you need to apply it liberally if it's really dirty and rub it in with a soft cloth. It'll product a green foam which can be rinsed off, dabbed dry and repeated.

Once the worst of it is off you do it again but this time use a soft nail brush. It's really good for getting stubborn marks from the edges. If you need to you can partially lower the roof to get better access. The brush also agitates the mohair so if you work over any shiny areas where the roof folds when down it can bring them back. Just be careful to blend in where you use the brush or you can see you've used it and where you haven't when the roof is dry.

As for the proofing, use as directed but generally it's a case of spraying on and dabbing of the excess with a clean cloth. Any overspray on glass, paint or rubber will not cause issues as long as you clean it off straight away i.e before it drys.

If you're thinking of using a product to stain the roof dark again be very careful to get one that's intended for your roof. I've seen a roof ruined but using a product not suited to mohair to the extent it looked so bad it had to be replaced. Personally I think a good clean and proofing restores a roof well enough not to need anything else.

Happy zedding.
Wow, fantstic information thank you! I am going to have a busy day getting all this done but great rewards! Thank you really appreciate the info
 

Antm72

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 4, 2015
Points
246
Location
South Yorkshire
Model of Z
2.8
Hi and :welcome: from me in South Yorkshire .Glad you have joined and maybe see you tomorrow :)
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello and welcome from Truro. Which model Zed do you have Dave ?
 

dave griffiths

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Points
24
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4, 2.5
Hi again Dave, I'm amazed no one is pleading for pics yet so I'll start"!please, please post pics! ". And welcome again from Canada!! JIM
Hello and welcome from Truro. Which model Zed do you have Dave ?
Well there is a story its a 1.9 1997 roadster but with my limited knowledge at the moment i am yet to find out if it has a specific type/model. I saw the car on ebay and just had to get it! One owner, full bmw service hystory 80k on clock and really well looked after. It was a must much to my wifes dismay when i had only just bought a brand new range rover
 
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