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Convertible top dressing?

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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 11:03 AM
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Default Convertible top dressing?

The convertible top on my '69 GTO was replaced maybe 10 years ago. Car gets driven quite a bit in/out of the rain. Sometimes even parked outside for a week at a time or so.

I noticed over the weekend as I gave it a good detail the black top was well past looking new anymore and had reached the point of 'drab'
Certainly no actual wear, just not shiny and crisp anymore.

Is there anything I can dress it with that works well? Thanks Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 11:17 AM
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2 products I've had very good luck with: 303 Aerospace Protectant and Ragtop protectant. Gives it back a little sheen without being greasy and protects the top.
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 12:34 PM
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303 Aerospace Protectant. Works great. Used it on the black 32 year old top on my '67 GTO and it came out great. It needs to be done periodically, as it comes off with water over time.
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 03:06 PM
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I agree with both of the above recomendations for 303 Aerospace. That is good stuff! I have used it to "restore" life to dried out rubber window gaskets on a couple of cars.
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 03:34 PM
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Caesar dressing
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 05:46 PM
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Default convertible top restore

I have a 1960 corvette wth a black top that was installed 27 years ago. I still get compliments on my "new" top. I've been rubbing on Armorall since it was new. Never sprayed it on, just a thin coating with a rag maybe twice a year. Car is always garaged and rarely sees rain so no worries about it washing off.
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Old Oct 10, 2017 | 10:09 AM
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Thanks for the input, I found the raggtopp stuff local so I 'm going to give that a shot, I have 4 convertibles so next time I'll give the 303 a try. Jim
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 06:59 AM
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303 Aerospace is also good for your interior and your tires.
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 01:11 PM
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I just used 303 wipes on the interior for the first time last week. The small wipes are easy to work into tight places. I was a little surprised how well it came out. 303 is good stuff.
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 01:25 PM
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303 protectant is good stuff. It's not a cleaner though (I think 303 also make a cleaning product).
I use it on the top, seats, dash pad, all the weatherstrip, and tires..
I've used it on the rubber and vinyl on my C5 for 20 years and it still looks like new.

Last edited by SDVette; Oct 11, 2017 at 01:36 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 03:03 PM
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I will have to try 303. Thanks for the recommendations.
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Old Oct 11, 2017 | 08:52 PM
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I'm going to add my recommendation to Aerospace 303. I found out about it at least 6 years ago on a CF thread and have used it so many C2 parts previously mentioned but also use it in the engine compartment, i.e.: radiator hoses, etc.
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 12:12 PM
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I just finished doing my convertible top with Maguiar’s Convertible Top Cleaner. I have 303 on a shelf. Would you guys recommend putting 303 on top of the Maguiar’s?

Thanks,
Steve
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 04:42 PM
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Will the 303 work as well on fabric/Stayfast top material that's on my '67?
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by RatDog
I just finished doing my convertible top with Maguiar’s Convertible Top Cleaner. I have 303 on a shelf. Would you guys recommend putting 303 on top of the Maguiar’s?

Thanks,
Steve
I say yes. As I said above, 303 Protectant is not a cleaner.. so if the surface needs cleaning, you need to do that BEFORE applying 303 protectant.
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by LouieM
Will the 303 work as well on fabric/Stayfast top material that's on my '67?
The bottle says not for fabric or canvas.

Steve
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 05:40 PM
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X2 on using the 303 after using a cleaner. I also did the Meguiars cleaner, following up with the 303. Huge difference. Vinyl top. Not for use on canvas or cloth tops!
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RatDog
The bottle says not for fabric or canvas.

Steve
Thanks, Steve.

Lou
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by LouieM
Thanks, Steve.

Lou
Lou - you’re welcome.

What have ave you been using to clean your fabric top? I tried using the Maguiar’s Convertible Top cleaner on my wife’s fabric C6 Top. It worked great on my C2 vinyl top (you could actually see the dirt on the rag I was cleaning with) but I tried it on a dirty spot on the C6 and it didn’t work.

It’s a tan colored top so it’s going to show dirt more easily than a darker color.

Thanks,
Steve
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 07:37 PM
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Does 303 protectant have silicone in it?
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