Stuff we love: Fabsil Gold

Isn’t it great when a product does exactly what it says on the tin? ‘Fabsil Gold is a concentrated highly-effective silicone-based water repellent treatment for all kinds of outdoor kit.’ That’s exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a product commonly associated with camping equipment and outdoor clothing, but it’s also extremely effective on fabric roofs.

With the Renault Mégane Cabriolet destined to spend the winter months exposed to the elements, I’ve given it a fighting chance of survival by coating the roof with this protective barrier. Making sure the roof was clean and dry, I used a paint brush to apply the liquid before wiping it over with a cloth, using about a third of the 1-litre tin in the process. Now the rain bounces off the roof rather than soaking in; seeing the water running off the sides is an almost sensual experience. If you like the sight of beading on a car’s body, you’ll know what I mean. I hope…

You need to allow six hours for the coating to dry, which could be tricky on a short winter’s day, so a car port or garage would be useful. At the time of writing a 1-litre tin was available on Amazon for just £11.95, which is good value. A lot will depend on how long each treatment lasts before requiring a second coat. I’ll let you know. grangers.co.uk