john 72-04

Sorry for a stupid question but this is the first convertible car I have ever owned. I assume when washing the car I should not use the car wash soap on the top ? When I search how to clean a convertible top I get all sorts of elaborate information on cleaning tops but I find it hard to believe I have to go through that every time I wash my car. My top appears to be well maintained and clean now. Im just trying to understand what I need to do when I wash the car routinely. Thanks in advance.

JerryC5

I generally use Zaino's soap to wash the car, and I wash the top just like any other part of the car. I did my C5 the same way, never had any top problems.

rkj427

Car wash soap is fine, just make sure to rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely before lowering it for extended periods.

dmk0210

What are you using for car soap? If it's a mild soap it probably won't do any harm. Don't scrub it with a brush though.

I actually gently vacuum my top with a shop vac and soft brush attachment.

Every once in a while I use 303 or Raggtopp convertible cloth top cleaner and protectant.

jimmymac25

I just rinse mine off. I had a vert TA for 12 years before this one, and the top looked great without ever being washed or treated. I suppose it did go through some automatic car washes, but not many.

Iceman007

I was going to mention I use a lint roller to get hairs or other particles off my convertible top, works awesome! When I wash mine I do make sure to let it dry really well though before dropping the top but I do wash it normal like the rest of the car.

KABAL182

If using a quality soap to wash your car, going over top is fine.
I usually only wash the top with soap if it needs it, pollen ,bird dropping, heavy dust etc.
Most important for the life of your top is NOT to put it down after a wash unless completely dry.

Eritosthenes

I've been taking Red thru the automatic no-touch car wash for ten years and the top still looks as perfect as the day I picked it up at the Museum. That fabric is darned near bullet proof.

AORoads

Since you did your reading on here, you probably got just as many opinions above mine as you read about! Oh well.... So, here's one more.

a. No, you don't have to go thru an elaborate process every time you wash the car. And as long as you're using an actual "car soap" and not something like Simple Green or Dawn---not many people recommend either for the car---you can wash your top and car with the same stuff.

b. Several of the recommendations are correct, or somewhat so: 1. let it dry thoroughly before putting the top down for an extended period of time like a half-day or more; 2. not a bad idea to vacuum first, or lint-roll, but truthfully, not absolutely necessary; 3. you CAN, and at times, should brush your top, but gently---sometimes, it will help to remove some stains (but not all) when you first wet the top and put some soapy water on it.

c. Recognize that the top is made by Haartz and they recommend RaggTop cleaner and protectant (http://www.haartz.com/). That doesn't exclude the many good reports on 303 Aerospace on CF, as well as some other company's products. But many have used either regular car soap, or RaggTop. And when using the latter, pay special attention to b) 1. above, or you may get mold (if the top's seams are not completely dry and you apply protectant to it!!!).

d. I'm not sure if I'd make a regular thing of going thru a car wash with a cloth top, but some might. I guess it all depends on how long you want the top to last but they are pretty durable. The things you can't let sit on your paint are also true of the "cloth" top: bird poop, oil, grease (how would they get there?), tree sap, etc. Maybe even more so since it can get into the fabric.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Sunnyvale Dave

I can only speak to the 303 Fabric Guard. I used it because it was available locally.

I was preparing for a car show and took the car to a professional detailer for a complete detail. The next time I washed my car, there was no beading on the top. I called the detailer and asked him if the soap he used might have removed the Fabric Guard. He told me that it was possible. He applied 303 Fabric Guard, and the beading came back.

Autogeek can probably give you a better answer. As I think about it, I believe the detailer did use Dawn.

john 72-04

Thanks to all for the information , much appreciated. Washed the car and happy to report all is good in my world. Just washed the car like every other car I have ever owned. I did make one change in soap , I went from turtle wax zip wax wash and wax to me Meguiars gold class car wash. Didn't like the word wax associated with a cloth top.

cclive

I believe it is important to get the fine grit out of the fabric because this is what causes the fabric to wear. I use a big shop-vac with a brush on it. When I wash the car in the summer, I do it with the top down because that's the way the car stays all summer. When I wash it in the winter, I don't worry if the top gets a bit wet but I don't try to actually wash it...the shop-vac does a good job. RAGGTOP is your friend, so is Aerospace 303 Fabric Protector.

RJRSW

I have owned 20 Corvette converts over the years and always washed the top with the same car wash soap as I was using on the rest of the car and never had a problem.

AORoads

Let's be "inclusive" and take in your suggestions as well, Chris.

"I believe it is important to get the fine grit out of the fabric because this is what causes the fabric to wear. I use a big shop-vac with a brush on it."

After all, if dirt and grit can wear out carpet, the canvas top is no different in that it is a "cloth" of some composition.

Richard F

I use the same Meguiars soap that I use on the paint, on the top with a soft brush that I wash the car with. Rinse it off good and let it dry.

RaggTop makes good cleaner and protectant that you can use and it will look as good as new and shed water like a ducks back. If you use this, be sure and cover the surrounding paint surfaces and glass to prevent overspray, making it easier to clean up afterwards.

I have a mitt that I use for the front end if its really buggy. I use a soft brush on a long extension for the rest of the car. I have a lug nut type brush for the lug nuts, and another small brush for the wheels that you can reach behind the wheel and the barrel.

enventr

Raggtopp products for sure

gilbybarr

I dont wash my top (black) on the 2008. Just will use a lint roller (sticky tape) and also a few times a year vacuum it. It still beads like a new top in rain. If it got really dirty or didnt bead up, I would use ragtop cleaner and preservative on it. I used that on a tan top on a used Avanti convertible I bought that needed a good cleaning and it came out very nice. Just use lots of newspaper or plastic to prevent overspray of the preservative on your glass and paint.....its like a waxy type spray when applied.

MackIII

So what do you guys recommend to use along with car soap and water.....ie soft brush, microfiber cloth or mitt. or what??

Thanks

jrose7004

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...discussion-10/

Allan

Raggtop guy here. You can buy it through the Museum.

https://corvettestore.com/raggtopp-c...k-raggtopptwin