Vert upkeep...how often?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Vert upkeep...how often?
Question for the Vert crowd who do not use their cars as a daily driver. Considering a Vert (beige) but it will be a sunny day car only so how often do you go thru the vacuum/wash/dry/spray protecant? If it doesn't get wet, will a soft brush keep it looking good for long periods before going thru the routine?
What has been working for you?
Thanks
What has been working for you?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Being I have a black top and the car is garaged I only clean it with raggtop about once a year. If there is lint on it then I use a dollar store lint roller to clean it. If I had a light top then I would cover the top in the garage. I would probably rinse the top often. Black does not show the dirt. I used to have a convertible with a white top and that looked great but was a major pain to take care of it as it showed everything. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 202
From: St.Louis MO
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
I have a 2010 black top, and keep the car garaged, top up in winter, top down in summer.
I wash the top just like the rest of the car.
I have never used any protectorant on the top.
Same went for my C5, and the tops on the C5 and the C6 always have been fine.
I wash the top just like the rest of the car.
I have never used any protectorant on the top.
Same went for my C5, and the tops on the C5 and the C6 always have been fine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Appreciate the reply as I have never owned any convertible in, geez, my 5th decade of car ownership and am woefully uniformed on what is required to keep it pristine.
Don't have one yet - but one popped into consideration and it's beige..yikes. I always though to myself if I ever owned a Vert, it would have to have a black top.
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Don't have one yet - but one popped into consideration and it's beige..yikes. I always though to myself if I ever owned a Vert, it would have to have a black top.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 609
Likes: 239
From: Franklin NC
I bought my '01 Trans Am vert new and the taupe top (tan) is original and looks fine. I also use RAGGTOPP once a year and treat all the rubber seals to protectant at the same time to keep them soft and supple. The roller lint item is what I use as well but I use the 3M since the quality is a bit better. I just took a photo of the side of my extra garage the other day and captured part of the T/A top. You can see it and judge for yourself. Zero issues and pretty darn nice after 17 years. Always garage kept and just hit 60,000 miles on the car. My C6 gets the same treatment. Also a tan top.
**HAHA, sorry, just saw your reply from yesterday. This is the same thing.
Attachment 48292557
**HAHA, sorry, just saw your reply from yesterday. This is the same thing.
Attachment 48292557
Last edited by Atomic6; Nov 6, 2020 at 07:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,734
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Bought our first vert about a month ago. Not a DD so it will spend most of its time in the garage.
From what I've been told, keeping the top up in storage reduces wrinkles.
See the attached video regarding care. Hopefully it helps you decide whether to leave your top alone or add protectant.
I plan on some type of cleaning annually.
From what I've been told, keeping the top up in storage reduces wrinkles.
See the attached video regarding care. Hopefully it helps you decide whether to leave your top alone or add protectant.
I plan on some type of cleaning annually.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,035
Likes: 3,569
From: Central MO
My car is garaged; I am retired so I drive when I want. I treat the black top on my car every couple of years. It doesn't cost much and is bound to make the top last longer. I have always used RaggTopp in the past but think I am going to give 303 a try this time around. They are both highly regarded products, but I see RaggTopp
recommended more often on the forum.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,488
Likes: 714
From: Sausalito CA
Beige.
Vacuum often.
Soft brushing typically never hurts (yet buy a specific fabric top for convertible brush).
Store the car with the top up and latched.
Wash the top (w/car wash soap) when you wash the car.
Raggtop Cleaner...semi annual (FWIW) or for bird poops/ spots etc.
Raggtop Protectant...annual.
Enjoy your Vert.
Vacuum often.
Soft brushing typically never hurts (yet buy a specific fabric top for convertible brush).
Store the car with the top up and latched.
Wash the top (w/car wash soap) when you wash the car.
Raggtop Cleaner...semi annual (FWIW) or for bird poops/ spots etc.
Raggtop Protectant...annual.
Enjoy your Vert.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
My 06 is a garage queen also and I don't do a thing to the top but give it a good blow off with a compressor from time to time and it looks like new. I also as some suggest believe that keeping it in the up position when it's not being driven regularly is important. Only makes sense that this would help in the quest for as few a permanent wrinkles as possible. But of course i'm sure someone will chime in and say that they leave their top down for weeks and theres not a wrinkle to be found......
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Last edited by windyC6; Jun 8, 2018 at 02:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,278
Likes: 550
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Appreciate all the replies so far.
What was news to me when I first starting looking into this was the need to run a vacuum over the top - had no idea this was a part of canvas top maintenance. As others have stated, I would keep the top up while parked in the garage and now I would also cover with a sheet covering the top when sitting based on some comments.
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What was news to me when I first starting looking into this was the need to run a vacuum over the top - had no idea this was a part of canvas top maintenance. As others have stated, I would keep the top up while parked in the garage and now I would also cover with a sheet covering the top when sitting based on some comments.
.
Last edited by cal45; Jun 8, 2018 at 06:34 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,157
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
Appreciate all the replies so far.
What was news to me when I first starting looking into this was the need to run a vacuum over the top - had no idea this was a part of canvas top maintenance. As others have stated, I would keep the top up while parked in the garage and now I would also cover with a sheet covering the top when sitting based on some comments.
.
What was news to me when I first starting looking into this was the need to run a vacuum over the top - had no idea this was a part of canvas top maintenance. As others have stated, I would keep the top up while parked in the garage and now I would also cover with a sheet covering the top when sitting based on some comments.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
But, since it is very difficult to get the protectant off of glass, I DO apply saran wrap to all the glass. I'm sure there are other ways/things to use (I've used towels--not as good, for my use). And one last caution when OP uses any protectant after washing: make sure, double sure the top is totally dry esp. the seams. Otherwise, there's the potential for trapping moisture in the seams with the protectant which then could produce dark mold---very difficult to remove.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 745
Likes: 192
From: Olympia WA
St. Jude Donor '16-'17, '19
Not a DD... but if the sun is out, it gets out even on work days. I try to keep it clean as I believe that buildup of dirt, etc. will -- over time - wear on the protectant (Ragg Top which I do once a year). A lint roller works well... and if it's got a lot of stuff (grit, etc.), I'll vacuum with shop vac.
Re: Ragg Top... Every year a "refresh" after a good cleaning... and every 2 years, the big clean/wash, dry, and then re-application.
Not saying my method or frequency is best... just what I feel comfortable doing and my belief in what will give best protection with minimal amount of work/effort.
Re: Ragg Top... Every year a "refresh" after a good cleaning... and every 2 years, the big clean/wash, dry, and then re-application.
Not saying my method or frequency is best... just what I feel comfortable doing and my belief in what will give best protection with minimal amount of work/effort.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,153
Likes: 296
From: Hill Country, Texas
I wash it when I wash the car and usually use the microfiber wash mitt I am using on the car. Occasionally I use a special boars hair brush. Raggtopp is great and the cleaner can be used once a year or so. The protectant should be re-applied when water quits beading on the top. However, be sure to follow the instructions and not spray on anything but the top. You will have to cover the paint, winodows, etc. I also use a lint brush (not a roller) to pick up things that tend to stick to the top. It is pretty easy overall.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 29
From: Warroad MN US Army (Retired) 1976-2001
Beige.
Vacuum often.
Soft brushing typically never hurts (yet buy a specific fabric top for convertible brush).
Store the car with the top up and latched.
Wash the top (w/car wash soap) when you wash the car.
Raggtop Cleaner...semi annual (FWIW) or for bird poops/ spots etc.
Raggtop Protectant...annual.
Enjoy your Vert.
Vacuum often.
Soft brushing typically never hurts (yet buy a specific fabric top for convertible brush).
Store the car with the top up and latched.
Wash the top (w/car wash soap) when you wash the car.
Raggtop Cleaner...semi annual (FWIW) or for bird poops/ spots etc.
Raggtop Protectant...annual.
Enjoy your Vert.
My Raggtop cleaner is used if I get a stain like bird droppings. I tend to get a few living on Lake of the Woods with all the seagulls. And I give the top a good cleaning and use the Protectant after I bring it out of storage each season.
Last edited by Aggie76; Jun 8, 2018 at 09:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,228
Likes: 4,355
From: Chirper Island
FWIW, I have never vacuumed the top of my Grey-Beige top. My vacuum tools are probably dirtier than the top. 
I don't clean the top unnecessarily, but when I do, I use Tide (a dedicated very soft brush),and don't use any sealant. It looked brand-new for 200,000 miles, and in the last 40,000 miles, it has developed some minor dark in the creases.
I do use touchless washes regularly, especially during the winter. Take from that what you will.
I don't clean the top unnecessarily, but when I do, I use Tide (a dedicated very soft brush),and don't use any sealant. It looked brand-new for 200,000 miles, and in the last 40,000 miles, it has developed some minor dark in the creases.
I do use touchless washes regularly, especially during the winter. Take from that what you will.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
FWIW, I have never vacuumed the top of my Grey-Beige top. My vacuum tools are probably dirtier than the top.
I don't clean the top unnecessarily, but when I do, I use Tide (a dedicated very soft brush),and don't use any sealant. It looked brand-new for 200,000 miles, and in the last 40,000 miles, it has developed some minor dark in the creases.
I do use touchless washes regularly, especially during the winter. Take from that what you will.
I don't clean the top unnecessarily, but when I do, I use Tide (a dedicated very soft brush),and don't use any sealant. It looked brand-new for 200,000 miles, and in the last 40,000 miles, it has developed some minor dark in the creases.
I do use touchless washes regularly, especially during the winter. Take from that what you will.
My last C5 wasn't a DD and I only bucket washed it as it was needed as it never saw bad weather. I also swear by the California Dusters. So, if I do go with a Vert, it too won't see bad weather either and top would be up 90% of it's time with me.
.