Old Convertable Top
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Alvin, Texas
Old Convertable Top
Need a bit of advise from those who have experience with older convertable tops. I just purchased a '73 C3 convertable. Car is in really good shape, needs some TLC but overall very good. The top, carpet and seat covers were replaced about 15 years ago and all look good.
The top was almost always down and the car garage kept so it is in very good condition. It is white actually a bit off white, window nice and clear and just a weee bit of fraying in a couple of small spots on the edge.
I would like to clean it and hopefully make it nice and white again. Would also like to condition it in some way so when I put it up and clamp it tight it stretches nicely and does not tear.
Looking for any and all suggestions to get it back in shape and feel comfortable about having it up and stretched tight.
Thank everyone who responds for their input and suggestions. MrM
The top was almost always down and the car garage kept so it is in very good condition. It is white actually a bit off white, window nice and clear and just a weee bit of fraying in a couple of small spots on the edge.
I would like to clean it and hopefully make it nice and white again. Would also like to condition it in some way so when I put it up and clamp it tight it stretches nicely and does not tear.
Looking for any and all suggestions to get it back in shape and feel comfortable about having it up and stretched tight.
Thank everyone who responds for their input and suggestions. MrM
Last edited by MrM1978; Dec 28, 2015 at 06:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Your top is probably vinyl and will clean up with soap and water. Raising the top and parking the car in the sun will warm up the vinyl and allow it to stretch a little.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
I recently purchased a '74 vert with 36K miles. White with an off white (beige?) top which is about 20 years old. The top was always down except for winter storage per the PO. The top was quite soiled, wrinkled with a scuffed window. Soap and water did very little to clean it up. An old time collector suggested Ajax and a soft bristled scrub brush. This worked fairly well and should improve with a second scrubbing. Leaving it in the sun with the top up will get out some wrinkles and finish it up with a hair dryer which worked well. I've applied several coats of Armoral to both sides of the back window and have improved the vision about 50% from what it was.
The one thing I suggest is don't try to put it up or down on a cold winter day without raising the tonneau first and letting the sun warm it up. The old vinyl window might crack if its cold and replacing it isn't an option.
The one thing I suggest is don't try to put it up or down on a cold winter day without raising the tonneau first and letting the sun warm it up. The old vinyl window might crack if its cold and replacing it isn't an option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Top Cleaning
Excellent point.
The Aerospace Protectant 303 is excellent for restoration.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
Kind Regards,
Bill
The Aerospace Protectant 303 is excellent for restoration.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
Kind Regards,
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
The Aerospace Protectant 303 is excellent for restoration.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Agree!
Excellent point.
The Aerospace Protectant 303 is excellent for restoration.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
Kind Regards,
Bill
The Aerospace Protectant 303 is excellent for restoration.
The nice thing is it has UV protection and does not leave a fake shiny look like some other products.
The 303 can be purchased at almost any RV and camper dealer at their parts counter. It has lots of other uses too.
Kind Regards,
Bill
I used this on my old 68 vinyl top and it works super! I ordered mine off the internet.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Alvin, Texas
Thank you to all the members who responded. Will give a couple things a try and let everyone know how it came out. Had a slightly used magic eraser and it seemed to work pretty well. Going to get a couple new ones and see how the top comes out then go from there. Hope everyone has a nice new year. MrM