New vinyl roof: Which protectant to use?

[Uncletruck]

Hello,

I just had a new dark red full vinyl roof put on my '78 LeMans. I saw one of the Meguiars products recommended to protect it is called "Ultimate Protectant." But, I noticed there are two interior products sold as Ultimate Protectant that are both carried at my local Advance Auto Parts, a G14716 and G15812, and I need to know which is best for my top- note it is a new top, not one that needs any type of cleaning or restoring to its look, I just want something to help keep it clean and to protect from UV. Was also wondering if either of these products contain silicone, as the roof installer recommeded that silicone products be avoided on the vinyl roof. I exculsively use Meguiar's products, and don't want to use the $17 a bottle stuff the installer showed to me. Thanks for any help!

-Mark-

[BillyJack]

Re: New vinyl roof: Which protectant to use?

I believe they are the same product, but one's a wipe-on and one's in spray form. I've never used the UP spray, but my guess is it's probably thinner in consistency. Personally, I like the wipe-on version.

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: New vinyl roof: Which protectant to use?

We'd recommend you go with the G14716 for your top. Spray it onto a folded microfiber towel and then use that to work it into the vinyl. Apply it sparingly - a little bit goes a very long way and you won't want to over apply it. The polymers in this product will allow it to bond to the surface, which offers better overall protection and will prevent it from just washing away next time it gets wet.

As for the no silicone recommendation, you'll be very hard pressed to find any readily available vinyl dressing that does not contain silicone. But silicone really is a non issue unless you're working in a body shop and spraying fresh paint. We see people on car forums talking about the horrors of "silicone based" dressings and how they only insist on using a "water based dressing". These self proclaimed experts are generally grossly misinformed - there is no such thing as a "silicone based dressing". Their either water based or solvent based, and all of the popular water based dressings contain silicone. There was just such a debate on another car specific forum, with one poster proclaiming that silicone would rot your dash so he only uses a specific "boutique" water based dressing. He claims he used this product every month for 5 years and the interior of his car still looks brand new, thereby "proving" that water based dressings were superior. Well, a quick check of the MSDS documentation of that particular product showed it has double the silicone of our Natural Shine interior dressing. Which actually proved the point that silicone is nothing to be concerned with. Nothing at all.

[Uncletruck]

Re: New vinyl roof: Which protectant to use?

Thank you very much for the replies, the information is very helpful! I wasn't sure what the installer's fuss was over the silicone myself, as I used vinyl care products containing silicone on the old car roof, and it lasted almost 20 years, about the most one could expect from a vinyl roof. And although it was getting dry, the old roof didn't end up being ruined by its age or wear, it got punctured from a hail storm. Thanks!

-Mark-