I have had mine for over a year and use car wash soap on it from time to time and no problems yet....but get some Ragg Top, and clean and protect it. 
Just what i did and now if any water gets on the top it just bubbles up just like on the painted surfaces.
Washed Up
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Washed Up
I just bought my first Corvette, a 2002 roadster. Its convertible top is a canvas cloth material as opposed to a more vinylish material on my Maita. My question is, can you use car wash soap and water with a sponge on this top or is that bad for waterproofing? And, if you can't soap it down, what's the best way to clean it? If my memory serves me correct, canvas tents can't come in contact with soap.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 25
From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
St. Jude Donor '12
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
From the 03 Owner's manual under "Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle"
Cleaning the Convertible Top
Your convertible top should be cleaned often. If you use an automatic car wash, use one with water jets and hanging cloths. High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle.
When you hand wash the top, do it in partial shade. Use a mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft sponge. A chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top, and a brush can chafe the threads in the top fabric. Do not use detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents.
Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top evenly to avoid spots or rings. Let the soap remain on the fabric for a few minutes. When the top is really dirty, use a mild foam-type cleaner. Your dealer has a Convertible Top Cleaner and Water Repellent. Thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle, then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is completely dry before you lower it.
Do not get any cleaner on the vehicle's painted finish; it could leave streaks.
If you decide to go through an automatic car wash, ask the manager if the equipment could damage your top.
Your convertible top should be cleaned often. If you use an automatic car wash, use one with water jets and hanging cloths. High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle.
When you hand wash the top, do it in partial shade. Use a mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft sponge. A chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top, and a brush can chafe the threads in the top fabric. Do not use detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents.
Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top evenly to avoid spots or rings. Let the soap remain on the fabric for a few minutes. When the top is really dirty, use a mild foam-type cleaner. Your dealer has a Convertible Top Cleaner and Water Repellent. Thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle, then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is completely dry before you lower it.
Do not get any cleaner on the vehicle's painted finish; it could leave streaks.
If you decide to go through an automatic car wash, ask the manager if the equipment could damage your top.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
During normal washes I use Meguiers car soap. I wash the top the same as the rest of the car. Once or twice a year I use Ragtop for fabric roofs. The kit comes with a cleaner and a protector. Just follow the directions.
Also check out the care care section. Autogeek gives forum members a 10% discount on orders. Congrats on your vert. David
Also check out the care care section. Autogeek gives forum members a 10% discount on orders. Congrats on your vert. David
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,192
Likes: 2,128
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
