Convertible Top Maintenance - Help?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
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From: Round Rock Texas
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Convertible Top Maintenance - Help?
I could use some recommendations for cleaning and conditioning the fabric top on my "02. I've seen some products out there from RaggTopp I think is what it's called. Any ideas in this area would be appreciated. Thanks, HS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,011
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From: white hall ar
raggtop works great ..got mine from mid america i believe .....BUT make sure the top has dried a couple of days i mean really good before you seal it .because if u dont the sealer will lock in the moisture and grow a mold under it then the top will get spots on it that ruin the top.....
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,854
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From: Pearland, TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
raggtop works great ..got mine from mid america i believe .....BUT make sure the top has dried a couple of days i mean really good before you seal it .because if u dont the sealer will lock in the moisture and grow a mold under it then the top will get spots on it that ruin the top.....
I've used Ragg Topp on my Oak top since it was new ... works great
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
Likes: 133
From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Mid-America, Ragg -top make sure to get the cleaner and sealer and to get it for your top,cloth or vinyl, although as far as I know all C5, are cloth. I usually clean and seal mine the same day, just let it dry off in the summer sun for a while. No problems with mold as of yet, and mine is white
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 21
From: Southington Connecticut
I used Griot's Convertible Top care products. Imagine RaggTop is similar, may even be the same with a different label. Basically a two step process. First is a good cleaning with essentially an canvas type cleaner using a gentle brush and hose it off. Let that dry thoroughly, I'd say at least 24 hours. Second step is spray on the protectant. Sort of like a fabric stain guard type product. Goes on a little oily so I lifted up the top front and back and draped towels on the truck lid and windshield and anything else to catch overspray. Also masked off the rear window to keep from having a window mess to clean up. Give it a couple light coats of the protectant and again let it dry over night. Looks like hell at first until it drys. Top looks like new when done and repels water nicely (not that it ever goes out in the rain!).
Good luck
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
I use the RaggTopp cleaner and Protectant and I'm very pleased with both. RaggTopp makes two types of Protectant - one for fabric and one for vinyl - so be sure you use the right one. RaggTopp is endorsed by Haartz Corp, maker of the OEM top.
Also, be sure to check out the Car Care Discussion section of the Forum. Several very knowledgeable people and a few professional detailers hang out there and you can find answers to all your car care questions in that section.
Good luck.
Also, be sure to check out the Car Care Discussion section of the Forum. Several very knowledgeable people and a few professional detailers hang out there and you can find answers to all your car care questions in that section.
Good luck.
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Le Mans Master
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From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Ragg Topp all the way. Used it since i got my vert.... Top looks great....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,052
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sun
raggtop works great ..got mine from mid america i believe .....BUT make sure the top has dried a couple of days i mean really good before you seal it .because if u dont the sealer will lock in the moisture and grow a mold under it then the top will get spots on it that ruin the top.....
2 days
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,065
Likes: 1,277
From: Central Ma
Raggtopp here as well.
I masked off the rear window, and draped some sheets out from under the top to protect all the painted areas from over spray of the protectant. This is supposed to be nasty stuff if you get it on your finish.
I waited a day between cleaner and protectant.
I masked off the rear window, and draped some sheets out from under the top to protect all the painted areas from over spray of the protectant. This is supposed to be nasty stuff if you get it on your finish.
I waited a day between cleaner and protectant.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
If I'm not mistaken all Corvette use canvas tops. Mustangs use vinyl.
One is material the other is a plastic.
Pictures of that process you described
OH I used whole 2 mm drop plastic drop cloths and lifted the top slid them in same on the front back and sides. Also put a little bit of painters paper too.
One is material the other is a plastic.
Pictures of that process you described
OH I used whole 2 mm drop plastic drop cloths and lifted the top slid them in same on the front back and sides. Also put a little bit of painters paper too.
Last edited by Jet-Jock; Oct 23, 2007 at 08:09 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
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From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
The can says won't hurt car finish, just wipe off overspray. I used ragtop for 1st time two weeks ago. I put some newspapers under rear and front. I wiped off any overspray on rear window and paint and can not see any damage to those areas at all. I haven't been in the rain yet,before this i just vacumed top off and washed it. It is the shale color and still looks new.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
If I'm not mistaken all Corvette use canvas tops. Mustangs use vinyl.
One is material the other is a plastic.
Pictures of that process you described
OH I used whole 2 mm drop plastic drop cloths and lifted the top slid them in same on the front back and sides. Also put a little bit of painters paper too.
One is material the other is a plastic.
Pictures of that process you described
OH I used whole 2 mm drop plastic drop cloths and lifted the top slid them in same on the front back and sides. Also put a little bit of painters paper too.
Does this stuff damage the paint finish? Sorry if it does not then it probably have been quicker to wipe the overspray off the putting the prophylactic on the car.
