Refreshing a roof - help

I have this car I am trying to clean up for a friend and having a problem with the roof. The car sits outside and is in a shady area. So it has a lot of debris from trees above that have been sitting on the roof. The car isn’t used much so over time the white too has started to see some dirt spots.
i don’t want to be too rough but I had tried using the mesh side of my wash mit. It got a lot of the dirt off but it’s the caked on stuff I need help getting off without hurting the roof or creating any hard scratches, since it’s dirt that I removing I am worried about being be too rough.

Should i wash the top with car soap and let it sit? Or is there another product to help dissolve the dirt better?

I had thought about using APC, but didn’t want to use it without asking .

Have you tried clay or Nano Skin?

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No I haven’t. I didn’t know if I should clean it more, before doing a lay.

Please post a photo of the roof

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I have used diluted APC's in the past for horrendously dirty vehicles and they've proven effective at cutting through a lot of dirt, crud and general crap from "sitting" too long somewhere.

My old favorite was P21 Total Auto Wash but my new favorite is Optimum Power Clean. Neither one has ever caused any issues on vehicle paint as far as staining, burning or stuff like that. I might even say let it dwell for a minute or two before working it with a MF mitt, but I haven't seen what you're working with here. I like the spray and wait a bit to allow time for it to maybe break some of the bite heavier stuff has on the paint.

Another concern I always have with these types of jobs is how much clearcoat is left. As Mike P has taught us, they're already pretty thin leaving the factory nevermind leaving it out in the weather and probably unprotected for years!

Maybe get some beach towels, get them wet and then place them on the roof.

The spray them with water. The wet towels will hold the water ONTO the roof allowing water to do it's thing - soften and dissolve stuff.

Wait for about a half hour to an hour and then re-wash the roof.

You could also spray the paint-side of the towel with some APC AFTER you wet it for more cleaning power.


This is a variation of a tip I share for dissolving dried bugs off the front of a car.


Tips & Tricks: How to remove dried bug spatter or bug guts

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/ga...2WetTowel1.jpg



:)

Unbelievable, Mike! Brilliant idea and safe on the paint too.

Thanks. I don’t have s picture but ill try to soak with a towel and then clay it after.

If its truly stubborn stuff, try a mild or cut APC under the towels as Mike suggested.

Rapid Remover is the ticket! Then clay.