Cleaning a Convertible Top?

[betona]

I finally have a long-desired convertible. The rag top seems to really bead up and repel water well, but it stands to reason that it gets dirty too.

What's the technique and product to clean and protect a cloth convertible top?

Thanks!

[Mosca]

#39 to clean, #57 to protect... although you should really just keep the top down all summer!

I've also seen the new NXT Protectant on a convertible top, and it looks really good and probably works as well as or better than #40 or #57, but I haven't used it myself.

I use #40 rather than #57, but I have two gallons of #40 and I apply it weekly. #57 is a marine product, "specially formulated for the harsh marine environment", which I take to mean lots of water and lots of glare, and lots of UV reflections.

If I didn't have so much of #40, I'd try the other stuff first, NXT or #57.


Tom

[betona]

Thanks -- but vinyl cleaner on a cloth rag top?

[TOGWT]

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

Fabric tops:
Fabric convertible tops (mistakenly referred to as `canvas') are considered to be the best. These are not vinyl or canvas, but a laminate consisting of several components, a top layer of a solution-dyed acrylic textile, a middle layer of butyl rubber or urethane, and the poly-cotton headliner.

The acrylic textile is very UV resistant...that's why it's used in this application. However, it has no inherent soil resistance or water or oil repellence. Therefore, in order to keep the topping material clean, after lamination the topping material is treated with an industrial agent to resist soiling, water & oil based stains.
After a year or so, fabric convertible topping starts to lose is soil and stain resistance...owners begin to notice the fabric gets wet and has to dry out when it rains.
The top doesn't leak because of the layer of butyl rubber (that's what it's for). However, wet fabric is an indication that the top can now soil or become stained and that it is time to treat the top with an appropriate fabric protector to prevent soiling and staining.
Road dust and dirt settles on the fabric weave and if left will break down the fibres and stitching.
To remove lint use a rolling tape brush, used on a regular basis it will eliminate lint build-up and cut down on cleaning requirements drastically.

·Use a soft horsehair brush to remove any loose surface dust, use a lint lifter to remove lint from the fabric surface. Be careful around the rear window to avoid scratching
·Apply a fabric cleaner (303™ Fabric & Vinyl Convertible Top Cleaner) with clean, damp 100% cotton Alpine DF™ Microfiber towel and leave to penetrate fabric for 15-60 minutes dependant upon stain.
·Rinse off using a low pressure water hose and a soft horsehair brush
·Dry with a waffle weave Microfiber towel using a blotting motion to dry excess moisture.
·Finally spray fabric surface with an anti-static protectant that will also provide UV protection and anti-fading (303 High Tech Fabric Guard)

Rear Window:

The fogging on polyvinyl occurs when the plasticizers in the material evaporate due to UV radiation and heat exposure. The plasticizers maintain its softness and flexibility; a good plastic polish (Plexus) will remove scratches and the fogginess and maintain its flexibility. Place a 100% cotton cloth (front and back of rear window) when the top is down, this will help to avoid any surface friction scratches and prolong its durability.
Also avoid putting the top down when the material is damp or wet as this encourages mould and mildew to form
The material used for the `plastic' windows in convertible tops, soft-tops, is a specialized type of vinyl called `Pressed Polished Sheets', or 'pressed poly'.
This material is actually two layers of non-colour vinyl laminated together under intense pressure and high heat, this process squeezes out all the impurities and renders it perfectly clear.

a) Acrylic plastic - wipe with a damp towel, then spray a clean a damp 100% cotton Alpine DF™ Microfiber towel with Plexus use a light to medium pressure on glass surface, finally buff with a dry Autopia Concourse™ Buffing Towel

b) Glass- wipe with a damp towel, then spray clean, and damp 100% cotton Alpine DF™ Microfiber towel with Stoners Invisible Glass. Finally buff with a dry Autopia Concourse™ Buffing Towel


Note:
1.Brand, Product and Company names are trademarks of their respective companies and are used for identification purposes only(insert Meguiar's as required)
2.Common cleaning products can be very harmful to your soft-top. Chemicals you should not use on or near your top include: ammonia, bleach, detergent, alcohol and vinegar.
3.Do NOT use top dressing cleaners or conditioners containing silicones, organic solvents, petroleum distillates or plasticizers that may permanently stain the fabric.

~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/
justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*

[Mosca]

Oops; I assumed a vinyl top, sorry.

Tom

[betona]

Thanks, TOGWT. I'd never heard of 303 Products but they were easy enough to find at 303products.com. I'm not certain 303 is the perfect choice; other boards seem to recommend Raggtopp more.

I have discovered Plexus and it dramatically improved the back windshield. It also beads water off, almost like Rain-X does to your windshield (which I highly recommend to anyone within earshot).

Tom

[Keo]

This is the same type of problem I am encountering with my 350Z convertible. Vinyl or cloth? I used Raggtop cleaner and Raggtop Protectant for vinyl and it beads somewhat but not as good as I thought it would. Raggtop is supposed to be the best. Either my application is wrong or I have a cloth top. 303 may be the best way since it's for both.

[Vulturetec]

FWIW I've used Plexus and "Helicopter Bubble Cleaner" (available at some airports) on my MG rear window, but after it's clean I also go over it with #26 Hi-Tech yellow wax. That process seems to repell the dirt and water better than just the cleaner.

[betona]

Vinyl or cloth?

I found an online retailer who has a list of many, if not most convertible models and tells what kind of top you have--fabric or vinyl:

Link: Is my top fabric or vinyl?