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I was fortunate enough to find a 1975 convertible with the original top. Some back window fade but you can still see out of it well and it is in really nice shape. My question:
What is the best way to clean 50 year old material and what should I use? I was just going to use a couple of drops of Dawn in some warm water with a fine towel and light rubbing. When I store it, I was going keep the top up. Never having owned a convertible before, any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone out there and thrilled to be a part of the Forum!
It's probably vinyl so your method should be good. Just do use anything abrasive on the window of course.
I replaced my old worn out top with an Al Knock cloth top years ago. The same type material seen on modern tops so I only wash mine with clean water.
And I never put it up even in the garage. I understand the reasoning but I've also found, at least with my top, it doesn't hurt it at all and any wrinkles just disappear after sitting in the sun for a few minutes. At one point I didn't even have it installed in the car. I was running my hard top and didn't need it. BTW a C3 with the hard top on it is my favorite look.
If you don't have one of these get a rear window "pillow" to keep the rear window from creasing while its down.
Way back when I had verts with plastic windows I used Vista paste wax on the plastic. Probably any paste was will do and may not only clear it up some but will make it more pliable.
Way back when I had verts with plastic windows I used Vista paste wax on the plastic. Probably any paste was will do and may not only clear it up some but will make it more pliable.
I've heard that the clear floor polish used on vinal floors is supposed to take some of the haze out of plastic windows on convertible tops. Never tried it but it may be worth trying on a small area to see if it actually works.
I also got a 75Vert. I am not sure how much it helps or hurts, but I leave my top up but not locked down, front or rear, when I park it for any length of time. I just keep it up, but in a relaxed condition instead of leaving that tension on the seams and seals. I am in south Louisiana, so the summer heat is pretty extreme.
For your back window find a product called PLEXUS. In my marine canvas business we used it on all of our clear vinyl window panels. Whatever you do , do NOT use any kind of furniture polish or any product not specific for clear vinyl. The polish or wax will eventually turn your window brown. And as said above, store your car with the top up to keep the glass stretched out. As for waterproofing the top any 303 product specific for that is a good choice. Use a 303 product to keep the weatherstripping soft also. And welcome to the club.
Convertible top care
