MBVette

Just curious I have never owned a convertable, let alone a white one. What is best to keep it clean and in good shape?


[Modified by MBVette, 4:31 AM 9/15/2001]

KLO

First, you should know that the material on the F body tops is made by this
company http://www.haartz.com and they have very specific instructions on what two
products to use on their materail. Their brand name Haartz spray cleaner and then
to seal the fabric with 303 Fabric Guard.

Here is the procedure;

Important: A program of keeping the top clean through regular washings BEFORE
it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of an acrylic top and make successive
cleaning easier.

Most automatic car washes will not harm sport topping fabrics. Washes with water
jets and hanging cloths are preferred. Those using heavy barrel brushes should be
avoided. Haartz recommends hand washing in the shade or partial shade, not direct
sunlight.

Bird and tree droppings as well as other loose particle soils should be removed
immediately. Vacuum the top with a brush attachment and rinse the roof fabric
thoroughly with water to remove these loose particle soils. This will also prevent the
soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the top has been
rinsed thoroughly, spray apply Haartz Roof Cleaner evenly over the entire top while
the top is still wet. Washing with soap and warm water is a safe alternative to
Haartz Roof Cleaner, but not as effective. DO NOT USE DETERGENTS. Allow the
roof cleaner to soak into the top for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub the top lightly
with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no
remaining soap foam is observed. Allow to dry. Additional cleaning may be
required. It is best to determine this after the top has dried completely. After drying,
cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling the fabric with a fluorocarbon
system such as 303 High Tech Fabric Guard . Failure to do so will result in rapid
resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

The fabric itself does not promote mildew growth. However, mildew may grow on
dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. For these
more stubborn cases, soak the fabric for approximately 20 minutes in a solution of
no more than ½ cup (4 oz.) bleach and ¼ cup (2 oz.) Haartz Roof Cleaner per gallon
of water and scrub lightly as indicated above. Excessive soaking with the bleach
solution can deteriorate seam threads, so be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Rinse entire vehicle to remove all of the bleach solution from fabric and to prevent
streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Acrylic fabric readily absorbs water but
dries quickly. Several cleanings may be necessary.

Do NOT use top dressing cleaners or conditioners containing silicones, organic
solvents, petroleum distillates or plasticizers that may permanently stain the fabric.
This product is made from 100% solution dyed acrylic fiber which is thermoplastic.
Do NOT subject to excessive heat.

The use of stronger cleansers should be left to professionals experienced in handling
this type of fabric to avoid discoloration and degradation of the special protective
inner layer

MBVette

wow didnt expect to get that indepth of a responce. Thank you very much.

nickd

I bought a cleaner & protectant from Eckler's in the spring. I think it may have been the Hartz brand stuff. Worked fantsatic. I cleaned it once this year so far.

Andy1983

Wow... waita go KLO!

I was curious about what the best product was myself.... VERY in depth.

And no pushing of Zaino!!! I am shocked! :lol:

Thanks,
Andy

KLO

I was at the C5 Bash at the NCM in 2000 when GM plant engineers came over and did a seminar on top cleaning. I started learning about the top material and how to clean it since then. I thought it would be helpful if I knew as much about C4's and C5's as I could.

MBVette

I couldnt find the Hartz cleaner on there site, where do I get that from? Also did not see it in the Ecklers catalog.

Andy1983

I couldnt either.

I DID however find 303 top cleaner and fabric guard.
25 bucks... but I know that 303 has good products.

http://www.properautocare.com/303fabcontop.html

rubyred93

I am going to go against the grain a little bit here as I prefer to use the cloth top cleaner produced by Porsche, and was not pleased with the results from the 303 Fabric Guard.

I have found the Porsche top cleaner to be extremely mild, yet clean effectively. No discoloration to top. Does a very nice job.

I just was not impressed with the quality of the 303 Fabric Guard. I will soon be in the market for a similar product, and think that I will give the RaggTop product line a try.

KLO

I have the Haartz Spray Cleaner and the 303 Fabric Guard (in the new pump bottle instead of the old aerosol bottle) in stock and ready to ship for 27.50 for the kit plus 5.20 shipping anywhere in the country, if interested, I take http://www.paypal.com