Taking care of Soft Top

[Gplay]

hi guys as the subject states....

which products is best for taking care of soft tops?

[MeanTdi]

Hi there Gplay,

Just to give you some idea with the links below:

'In our daily work as detailers, we are not exposed to convertible tops far less often than other vehicle surfaces. Even so, maintenance of convertible tops is relatively straightforward. They may seem fragile at first, but with adequate precaution can be kept looking as new as the rest of the vehicle.

There are two primary types of convertible top material--canvas (i.e., "rag top") and vinyl. If there is windowing, it is usually made of plastic and less frequently glass. Maintenance of these surfaces, as with all vehicle surfaces, is part of a systematic approach to detailing the entire vehicle.

It is always a good idea to check the owner's manual on the vehicle for manufacturer's recommendations regarding care of the top. Also ask the customer if he or she recalls any specific instructions from the dealer. (Please note that doing so does not show knowledge weakness but instead, if done with confidence and authority, demonstrates that you are a professional who is not afraid to conduct appropriate research so as to properly maintain this customer's vehicle.) This information, combined with your general knowledge of vehicle surface maintenance, will allow you to do the job correctly.

First, lets talk about the inside of the convertible top. Check for accumulations of dust, especially in the folds and corners near the back of the soft top. This can be removed by a vacuum with a duster brush attachment, compressed air, or a damp towel with just a hint of your favorite all-purpose interior cleaner. Also wipe any rods or rails that might be part of the top's frame. Clean any window according to its composition--if glass, just as you would any other window glass. However, if the window is made of plastic, special care must be taken as this material is easily scratched. I recommend using just a damp, clean chamois (no chemicals!) followed by a smooth (not terry) 100% cotton cloth, ideally flannel. (Note that most window cleaners are not recommended for clear plastic.) If there is heavy grime on the plastic window, use a cleaner specially designated for clear plastic.

Somewhere between cleaning the inside and the outside of the top, open the top and clean the surfaces that are unreachable when the top is up (covering the car). These surfaces include the rear window deck, which sometimes is a painted surface that can be waxed, as well as plastic and vinyl panels that are often ignored in maintaining these kinds of vehicles.

The method to use for cleaning the outside of the convertible top depends on the material with which it is made. During your detail prep wash, vinyl tops can be cleaned with a medium strength dilution of all-purpose cleaner and a scrub brush . Often, vinyl tops have an accumulation of dirt and grime that needs to be scrubbed off using repeated steps. Be sure to spray down the entire vehicle first to reduce the likelihood of the cleaner streaking down the painted panels of the vehicle. (Also, be careful with your brush around plastic windowing--any brush will scratch this surface in an instant!) This kind of strong cleaning of a vinyl top should always be followed by an application of dressing.

Canvas tops are actually easier to maintain than vinyl tops. Usually, it is sufficient to wash a canvas top using a mitt and the car wash formula that you are using on the rest of the vehicle. In the case of stains like bird droppings and others, use a mild dilution of all-purpose cleaner and start with a soft brush. If the soft brush does not adequately remove the stain, go with a medium brush and scrub lightly. It is unlikely that even the strongest all-purpose cleaners will cause immediate damage to a canvas top, but in the case of stubborn stains, it may be wise to explain to the customer that the stain can be removed but not without weakening the fibers of the canvas. Let the customer decide which is more important--no stain or the longevity of the top. Canvas tops require no dressing, although dressing will not harm the top, especially if you consider that most canvas tops are constructed of nylon (plastic) fibers.

Clear plastic windows that are not so clear anymore can often be polished back nearly to their original transparency. Considering the cost of replacing this kind of window, not to mention the safety issue of driver visibility, the detailer can make a hefty profit on this type of service. There are clear plastic cleaners and polishes that, combined with careful use of a small-head random orbital polisher, can produce amazing results.

Finally, if the customer complains of squeaking or rubbing noises emanating from the top, use your favorite dressing to lubricate the seals, grommets, and other places where the top joins the frame of the vehicle.

With a small amount of caution and common sense, maintaining convertible tops is a simple part of the detailing process.'

http://www.automotivedetailing.com/asse ... p_care.htm

‘How To Care for Your Convertible Top

A good convertible top cleaner and protectant will prolong the beauty and function of your convertible top. Whether it’s a fabric convertible top or vinyl top, it will benefit from regular maintenance. You’ll find that having a convertible is just as carefree and fun – even more so – when you have a clean, well-protected top. You can achieve proper top care in just a few easy steps.

Vinyl Tops
Regular cleaning of your vinyl top is as easy as washing your car. Use a gentle car shampoo, like Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo, and we recommend the Green Long-Handle Tire & Wheel Brush with its feathered bristles to free the dirt from the textured vinyl of your convertible top. Wash the top just as you would the rest of the vehicle. Avoid shampoos that improve gloss. They are good for the paint, but unnecessary for the top.


If your vinyl top is particularly dirty, you can use a cleaner to break up the grease and films that can plague your vinyl top. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner can be used on both vinyl and fabric, and it contains no soaps or detergents. RaggTopp makes an equally effective convertible top cleaner that not only cleans; it also inhibits the growth of mildew. Spray the top with water and then spray with a cleaner. Use a brush to gently scrub the vinyl. Rinse thoroughly.

Regular cleaning of your vinyl top is as easy as washing your car.

After you’ve cleaned the vinyl, use a vinyl protectant to preserve the color and texture of your convertible top. Skipping this step leads to the faded, cracked tops you see on the road from time to time. RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant comes highly recommended from the top manufacturers of vinyl products, like Haartz and Colgan Custom Bras. It has the best UV protection of any product on the market, and it repels dirt, grease, and oil. It doesn’t make your vinyl top glossy or greasy-looking. It will have the natural matte sheen of new vinyl.
Your vinyl top will last longer if you protect it from the start. There’s not much you can do to reverse damage once it’s already been done. Proper vinyl care is as simple as weekly washes with a gentle shampoo, monthly cleanings with a vinyl top cleaner and monthly application of a vinyl top protectant.

Fabric Tops
Fabric top maintenance is essentially the same as vinyl top maintenance, except you want to select products formulated for fabric. Convertible top cleaners are usually suitable for either vinyl or fabric. Use a moderately stiff brush, like our Green Long-Handle Tire & Wheel Brush to loosen dirt from the fibers.

It’s a marvel of modern science that fabric tops repel water as well as they do, but all good things must come to an end. Fabric tops are chemically treated during manufacturing to repel water and contamination, but these chemicals diminish as time passes. Exactly how long the factory repellant will last is dependent on usage and the environment, so it’s best to keep an eye on your top. Your regular washings should reveal a gradual reduction of water repellence. You’ll want to watch carefully for signs of water puddles or wet spots where water has clearly penetrated the fabric. If you see these signs, it's time to treat your top.
We have found in our testing RaggTopp
is one of the top products on the market.

We have found in our testing RaggTopp is one of the top products on the market. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard is also a quality product. Either will restore the repellence to factory specifications and keep your fabric top looking good. Be sure to apply protectant to a clean, dry top. Never saturate; light, even coats are always best. Reapply monthly to maintain an optimum level of water repellency.

Clear Vinyl Windows
The windows on convertible tops often age faster than the rest of the top. Clear vinyl is notorious for yellowing, cracking, and scratching. There is a solution, though. Treat the windows with Diamondite Plasti-Care. This is a cleaner and protectant that prevents cracking and maintains clarity. Applying Plasti-Care from the day you buy your convertible is a great way to keep those convertible top windows clean and clear.

If you already have damaged windows, Wolfgang Plastik Lens Glaze will remove contamination, lessen the yellowing and minimize or eliminate scratches. Seal the plastic with Wolfgang Plastik Surface Sealant for UV protection and long-lasting clarity.'

http://www.autogeek.net/covtopplas.html

[Gplay]

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