Roof stains
11-08-2013, 12:51 PM
#2
Race Director
11-08-2013, 03:15 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
note that some stains won't come out(where the top folds, metal strut stains, etc. may not/probably won't come out).
now, from there, if you get raggtop, read the instructions very carefully and do it. soak the top w. water, really soaking it good not a spray. spray on their soap onto the areas which are really dirty. let it sit, but not dry out. scrub a little (softer brush, tooth brush, car brush, etc.). rinse out the spots.
spray on cleaner over complete top. rinse thoroughly. let it start to dry out so you can see if/how much of the spots are gone. if you want, wet the spots again with water, then hit it with the soap again, scrub a little, let sit. do not let it dry out. rinse again thoroughly. hopefully, you won't have to do it again, but that's about as far as you can go with this product. some people have used magic eraser with some success.
when you apply the sealer, make absolutely certain the top esp. the seams are dry. to me, unless it's 90 degrees outside, I let the car dry inside overnight or longer. then I spray on the sealer. note: it's not that easy to get off the overspray from glass, bodywork, etc. I cover those areas with saran. follow instructions. you don't need to soak the cloth but it should be fairly damp w. the spray. hope this works for you.
now, from there, if you get raggtop, read the instructions very carefully and do it. soak the top w. water, really soaking it good not a spray. spray on their soap onto the areas which are really dirty. let it sit, but not dry out. scrub a little (softer brush, tooth brush, car brush, etc.). rinse out the spots.
spray on cleaner over complete top. rinse thoroughly. let it start to dry out so you can see if/how much of the spots are gone. if you want, wet the spots again with water, then hit it with the soap again, scrub a little, let sit. do not let it dry out. rinse again thoroughly. hopefully, you won't have to do it again, but that's about as far as you can go with this product. some people have used magic eraser with some success.
when you apply the sealer, make absolutely certain the top esp. the seams are dry. to me, unless it's 90 degrees outside, I let the car dry inside overnight or longer. then I spray on the sealer. note: it's not that easy to get off the overspray from glass, bodywork, etc. I cover those areas with saran. follow instructions. you don't need to soak the cloth but it should be fairly damp w. the spray. hope this works for you.
Last edited by AORoads; 11-08-2013 at 03:17 PM.
11-08-2013, 04:10 PM
#4
I've used Raggtopp, too, but I actually like plain old Tide better.
My top is beige, and it looks practically new--no stains at all. It's had some really bad dirt after some road trips, and one time a flock of starlings took a collective dump on it, but Tide made it good as new.
I use a wheel brush dedicated solely for this purpose. Just don't let the soap solution dry on the paint. It doesn't seem to hurt the paint, but if you let it dry, it's harder to get off when washing the actual car.
For the dirtier areas, I use a 1:1 ratio with water and let it sit for awhile before scrubbing. I also don't bother getting the top wet before soaping it up.
Letting the top dry completely before putting it down will also help minimize any "wrinkling" where it folds (especially important with a light-colored top). An hour outside in the sun or overnight in the garage have worked well for me.
lisa
My top is beige, and it looks practically new--no stains at all. It's had some really bad dirt after some road trips, and one time a flock of starlings took a collective dump on it, but Tide made it good as new.
I use a wheel brush dedicated solely for this purpose. Just don't let the soap solution dry on the paint. It doesn't seem to hurt the paint, but if you let it dry, it's harder to get off when washing the actual car.For the dirtier areas, I use a 1:1 ratio with water and let it sit for awhile before scrubbing. I also don't bother getting the top wet before soaping it up.
Letting the top dry completely before putting it down will also help minimize any "wrinkling" where it folds (especially important with a light-colored top). An hour outside in the sun or overnight in the garage have worked well for me.
lisa
11-08-2013, 06:26 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
As a boater of many years, I would suggest stopping in at your marina/boat dealer and ask what they recommend for cleaning boat tops. Pretty sure it's the same material as the vert tops and boat tops live a much harder life than our Vettes….