convertible dirty top
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 4
From: Roseville Ca.
I believe it's the nature of the beast. I've heard of guys putting a towel or blanket between the folds when putting it down and also saw some sort of a pillow type thing from either Ecklers or Mid-America that lays down, but I think that's more for the window.
I've found that the best thing to do is clean it with a product specifically for convertible tops (I use RaggTopp cleaner and protectant) a couple times a year, won't get all the marks out but is definitely better than just washing it.
Hope it helps
I've found that the best thing to do is clean it with a product specifically for convertible tops (I use RaggTopp cleaner and protectant) a couple times a year, won't get all the marks out but is definitely better than just washing it.
Hope it helps
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
Those of us that have a light oak top are constantly having to clean the top.
I usually do it once a week.
When I first got the Vette, the top had those black marks where the folds are.
I used simple green (and still do), and all marks are gone.
With simple green, it is best if you rinse the top completely, and rinse the body as well so residue won't take the wax off.
To keep the top looking new, just spend at least once a week keeping it clean.
Simple green does one hell of a job.
Bob
I usually do it once a week.
When I first got the Vette, the top had those black marks where the folds are.
I used simple green (and still do), and all marks are gone.
With simple green, it is best if you rinse the top completely, and rinse the body as well so residue won't take the wax off.
To keep the top looking new, just spend at least once a week keeping it clean.
Simple green does one hell of a job.
Bob
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Mississauga Ontario
Those of us that have a light oak top are constantly having to clean the top.
I usually do it once a week.
When I first got the Vette, the top had those black marks where the folds are.
I used simple green (and still do), and all marks are gone.
With simple green, it is best if you rinse the top completely, and rinse the body as well so residue won't take the wax off.
To keep the top looking new, just spend at least once a week keeping it clean.
Simple green does one hell of a job.
Bob
I usually do it once a week.
When I first got the Vette, the top had those black marks where the folds are.
I used simple green (and still do), and all marks are gone.
With simple green, it is best if you rinse the top completely, and rinse the body as well so residue won't take the wax off.
To keep the top looking new, just spend at least once a week keeping it clean.
Simple green does one hell of a job.
Bob
Last edited by snuggy; May 20, 2015 at 08:16 PM. Reason: correction
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Mississauga Ontario
Nevermind, I know this stuff but have only used the car wash. I don't see a top cleaner ....is the regular car wash detergent what you use?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
Simple green is available at home improvement stores.
It is a biodegradable cleaner.
It is the only cleaner I use.
You mentioned car wash, and that is one place none of my vehicles in over 60 years , have never seen.
Except for simple green on the convertible top, my vehicles NEVER see one drop of soap.
I have never experienced simple green removing the wax on the car, but someone on this forum said it would, so to protect the wax, once the top is cleaned, I hose the entire car, extensively.
Bob.
It is a biodegradable cleaner.
It is the only cleaner I use.
You mentioned car wash, and that is one place none of my vehicles in over 60 years , have never seen.
Except for simple green on the convertible top, my vehicles NEVER see one drop of soap.
I have never experienced simple green removing the wax on the car, but someone on this forum said it would, so to protect the wax, once the top is cleaned, I hose the entire car, extensively.
Bob.
Last edited by calguy; May 20, 2015 at 08:49 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Mississauga Ontario
Simple green is available at home improvement stores.
It is a biodegradable cleaner.
It is the only cleaner I use.
You mentioned car wash, and that is one place none of my vehicles in over 60 years , have never seen.
Except for simple green on the convertible top, my vehicles NEVER see one drop of soap.
I have never experienced simple green removing the wax on the car, but someone on this forum said it would, so to protect the wax, once the top is cleaned, I hose the entire car, extensively.
Bob.
It is a biodegradable cleaner.
It is the only cleaner I use.
You mentioned car wash, and that is one place none of my vehicles in over 60 years , have never seen.
Except for simple green on the convertible top, my vehicles NEVER see one drop of soap.
I have never experienced simple green removing the wax on the car, but someone on this forum said it would, so to protect the wax, once the top is cleaned, I hose the entire car, extensively.
Bob.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
For this to be effective, the car needs to be detailed first, finished with a coat of wax, then the cleaning process twice a week with the damp rag, then buffed with the soft rag.
Once a month, after the cleaning with plain water, I buff it using Meguiars ultimate detail in the spray bottle.
Again, never, ever, soap.
Soap in any form, I don't believe is good for any car finish, and over 60 years, I have never owned a vehicle that didn't look better than when it was brand new, and many of my vehicles were 10, 15, and 20 years old.
The only soap some of them saw was to clean the whitewall tires..
Later as an addition to this post, I will post some pics of my other vehicles , and I would put them up against any vehicle on the planet to compare finishes.
Bob