vert top detailing question...any detail gurus come on in!!

[stonegod85]

i am looking for a cleaner that will take care of my black vinyl top...i have some wax spin off spots (from buffer) and some sap. any products that will be ok to use on the top that will take this stuff off fairly easy? soap and water doesn't work...I PROMISE!
thanks,
Gus

 

[MyEarsHurt]

I have noticed that my top is looking a little ill lately as well and I dont know of any good products that wont damage the top....so....subscribing

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Robbins Vinyl Top Cleaner to clean and Aerospace 303 Protectant to protect

 

[DropTopPony]

Robbins Vinyl Top Cleaner to clean and Aerospace 303 Protectant to protect

I'm with KT, i bought some of that Aerospace 303 stuff on his recommendation and its works better then the oil stuff i used to buy at Pepboys etc.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Really! That's awesome!!! Anyway, I use the 303 on everything. I use it on the cowl, side view mirror housings, rubber stripping, vinyl top, interior plastic, dash, etc... That stuff is awesome. It is totally not greasy.

Here's a great tip: blast 303 on the hood and side scoop plastic grills right before you wash the car. All the excess will get washed away when you wash and rinse the car and those plastic grill pieces will look great

 

[DropTopPony]

I tried it because of its UV protecting capability. I have a black top and don't want it to fade so quick.
http://www.303products.com/store/category.cfm?Category=7&CFID=1024652&CFTOKEN=4891129

 

[TrueCustoms]

where do you get that 303 stuff from?

 

[DropTopPony]

^^^^follow the link in the post above. If you can't find it locally you can order it direct.

 

[TrueCustoms]

Should i look at Auto stores like Autozone and pepboys? Not too sure where to go for that.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The 303 website has a dealer finder feature you can use...

 

[stonegod85]

where would i find the robbins vinyl top cleaner...and this will get sap and wax off of the vinyl correct?

i've tried some other vinyl cleaner...and nothing...it looks horrible and it's a 3 month old top! i hate sap!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Check this out:
http://www.gomiata.com/racotopcakit1.html

 

[GT-03]

Should i look at Auto stores like Autozone and pepboys? Not too sure where to go for that.

At least for where I live, it seems that marine (boat) places tend to sell it rather than auto places.

 

[Jakes]

Here's the mfgr's site for RaggTopp. http://www.wolfsteins.com/main.htm

 

[BigChiefSmokem]

Here's the mfgr's site for RaggTopp. http://www.wolfsteins.com/main.htm

I second the raggtopp. the fabric protectant is the **** even on our vinyl tops. the cleaner works well, unless its a really dirty.

 

[gtvertsoon]

So what exactly is the material? I have an 03 vert and I've seen vinyl and fabric cleaners but I'm not sure which to get. The top doesn't look like normal vinyl but doesnt feel like fabric. Which is it?

 

[Susky]

How about fabric (canvas) impregnated with vinyl?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

There are two types of tops on 99+ Mustangs.

Generally, if it is not a Cobra or a 40th Anniversary edition, it will be vinyl.

The vinyl makes a certain "plasticy" sound when scratched lightly with the fingernail. It does look remarkably close to what real canvas looks like though.

If it is real canvas you can pretty much tell just by looking at it.

It makes a big difference because all the real convertible top cleaners and protectors are specifically for vinyl or canvas so you need to identify the type you have.

 

[ToplessStang]

I use Mothers CONVERTIBLE TOP CLEANER and then put the Mothers PROTECTANT. I use these only cause they are easy for me to get. They protect the top from UV rays and make it look great. Only problem is if you get caught in the rain. The protectant starts to fall on to the windows and they get a little greasy. My car is usually indoors during rain so it's not a problem for me.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Only problem is if you get caught in the rain. The protectant starts to fall on to the windows and they get a little greasy. My car is usually indoors during rain so it's not a problem for me.

All the protector type products seem to do that. Sometimes I wash the car, apply the protector, and then wash it again just to get the bulk of the excess residue off right away so it does not "run down" in the rain.