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Convertible top cleaning/care

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simpzimmer

simpzimmer

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I've owned my Spitfire for 2 months now and I still haven't cleaned the top. My stepdad tried to get me to use tire blackener but I wouldn't. I've seen a couple of products; one by "Mother's" but now I'm paranoid and don't want to use anything that's going to fade, dry, or just ruin my top. Any suggestions?
 
Ooohh... good question. I'm in the same boat you are! I'm a big fan of Zaino but noticed just now that they don't list anything for vinyl convertible tops so I'm at a loss.
 
I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on vinyl and rubber. It's really a great product and recommended by many manufacturers. You can read about it at their website https://www.303products.com/main.php There is also a section on vinyl cleaning tips in the "all about vinyl" section.

You can look up dealers by zip code. Since they sell it at some Ace Hardware Stores, I called my local Ace store and they stock it now.

Cheers,
John
 
Are you talking 'cleaning' or 'revitalizing'? Big difference...I 'clean' mine with soft detergent & water - like a real sft dish detergent

...'revitalizing' is something altogether different.
 
I got samples of 303 at a LBC show and it works great. Try discount spa and pool stores for price. They use it on spa covers. I love the stuff and use it all the time, not just for restoring.
 
I'm a Cretin about rag top care, usually scrub it with soap 'n water, a plastic bristle veggie brush. Once dry I give it ArmourAll as a treatment. I get about five years out of one here in Florida on daily drivers, this is a brutal place for 'em. Plastic rear windows are washed with soft cloth (old T-shirts) only.
 
I've seen it do some nasty things to BMW plastic, but not had it mess up any of my stuff.
 
I don't allow ArmourAll anywhere near my cars or garage!
 
I use armoral on everything....no problems yet....I've used it on everything from vinyl, leather, even paint.
 
I avoid Armor-all like the plague. I have heard good things about that 303 Protectant, though, so I'll probably give that shot. And I've got an Ace Hardware opening up around the corner from my house soon, so hopefully it should be easy to get too.
 
Personal Armor All story. The day after detailing my VW Golf, the car sat in the sun and the top of the dash discolored permanently (turned from brown to a light tan). This was long ago .. maybe the formulation has changed .. maybe it's something with German plastics ?!? but I stopped using it after that.

Cheers,
John
 
German interior plastics and the ArmourAll of the mid-eighties did not co-exist well. It'll make some clear plastics "milky" as well.

Helpful Hint: NEVER put it or products like it onna steering wheel and/or the pedal pads! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
Is ArmourAll actually bad or is 303 just better?

If it is bad what do you recommend?

I use about a gallon of ArmourAll/Yr. on the DeLo & I never thought anything about it.
 
I never had a problem with Armor-all actually ruining anything (only ever used it on my '89 Tracer). My complaint with it is that it doesn't hold up very long. A few days, and the exterior bits of the car would look like crap again.

I've since started using Forever Black on my exterior black (or dark grey) plastic trim and it lasts through multiple car washes and still looks great. For the tires I use Zaino rubber treatment. Same results... looks great even after several washings. I'm hoping this 303 Protectant will do the same for the convertible top.
 
My buddy used Armor-all on his Harley Davidson when he first got it. Unfortunatly he used it on the tires too. Lets just say... we live at the top of a hill. He didn't stop at the stop sign. Only scratches to the bike though.

He has never used the stuff again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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