• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Ragtop restoration products?

Share this page

CraigLandrum

CraigLandrum

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
My son and I are rapidly getting to the point where I need to decide whether to refurbish the ragtop and tonneau cover that came with the car or buy new ones. The ragtop and tonneau are both black vinyl with no tears, but the vinyl could stand to be cleaned and the lift-the-dot stuff is slightly green. The zipper on
the tonneau is slightly rusted. The plastic window on the back of the ragtop is still clear (not yellowed). These items have been in a barn/garage for the past 5 years.

I have a high-pressure gas motor driven sprayer that can probably get all the dirt off these items. Has anyone ever used a high pressure sprayer to clean their covers?

What - if any - products do you guys recommend to restore the vinyl and shine up the lift-the-dot stuff?

Would like to use what I have if possible rather than spend the $$$, since money is tight.

Also have one of those ragtop covers that cover the top when its folded down, but this is white vinyl. Anyone ever use and can recommend a vinyl dye that can covert it to black?
 
Aloha Craig,

Before you spend a lot of time on cleaning them up, do a test fit to see if they will fit on the car. The vinyl tends to shrink over time.

The hardware is easy to remove/replace on the top. The Tenex are attached by a screw on backer. The lift-the-dot fitting might be reused but I suspect replacements might be an easier route to take. Rockford Supply has them available and the associated tool and studs. The hardware can be polished up with a brass bristle brush and metal polish.

https://www.rochfordsupply.com/index.asp

the vinyl windows can be cleaned up with products by Novus. I've used them in the past with excellent results.

https://www.novuspolish.com/

The zipper on the tonneau is probably something you could replace with your sewing machine. I'm basing my estimate on the great job you did fabricating seat cover and other interior items.

I think the pressure washer might cause damage to the vinyl and the backing material. I would suggest scrubbing with a soft bristle bush and soap and water. There seems to be product specifically for cleaning vinyl auto tops.

https://www.autogeek.net/covtopplas.html

This websiterecommends some specific products.
 
Craig,

I have had good success with 303 Aerospace Cleaner and Protectant. It was recommended to me a few years ago and I have used it on several different TRiumph convertible tops with good results.

NFI

Thanks,
M. Pied Lourd
 
A product developed for white-wall tires called "Blech-Wite" can be sprayed onto the vinyl, rubbed a bit till the grime is all gone, then you rinse it off with a wet rag soaked in warm water.
 
Back
Top