Soft top care
#1
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Soft top care
I'm looking for info on care & cleaning of the soft top on my 06 S2K.
Soap OK during car wash? BTW someone mentioned it's better to use liquid dish soap than the powder laundry soap - does it matter?
What about treatment to preserve fabric? Extend water resistance? E.g. just spray with silicone occasionally? Anything better?
Soap OK during car wash? BTW someone mentioned it's better to use liquid dish soap than the powder laundry soap - does it matter?
What about treatment to preserve fabric? Extend water resistance? E.g. just spray with silicone occasionally? Anything better?
#2
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I dont know about powder vs liquid, I would imagine liquid would be the suggested type
As far as preserving your soft top, a recommended product is 303 protectant. It will seal up the material, and slow-down or even prevent the color from fading
http://www.303products.com/main.php
As far as preserving your soft top, a recommended product is 303 protectant. It will seal up the material, and slow-down or even prevent the color from fading
http://www.303products.com/main.php
#3
Originally Posted by oldtrlrnr,Apr 4 2006, 11:42 AM
BTW someone mentioned it's better to use liquid dish soap than the powder laundry soap - does it matter?
Use a car wash soap. It's designed to clean the car (including the top) and leave the previous wax or protectant in place. Dish soap is a grease and wax cutter. You don't want it to take off your hard work and have to wax every time you wash.
Once cleaned and dry, apply something like 303 Protectant onto a lint free cloth and wipe the cloth over the soft top material. Don't over do it. Keep the top up overnight for it to dry a bit. Then it's good to go. If you use too much, it'll run next time you wash the car, but this is only cosmetic. Repeat the 303 a couple times a year, more often if you park in the hot sun a lot with top up.
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Also, just so you know the top on the S2K is made of vinyl and not fabric. It sure does look like fabric though!
Just to throw in my $0.02 I prefer the Ragg Top products to 303. I find the Ragg Top seems to last longer for me.
Just to throw in my $0.02 I prefer the Ragg Top products to 303. I find the Ragg Top seems to last longer for me.
#5
list of some of the products that work on our tops for preserving:
303
vinylex
raggtopp (they make separate products for vinyl and fabric- make sure to get the vinyl product)- i agree with mikeyc on this...
303
vinylex
raggtopp (they make separate products for vinyl and fabric- make sure to get the vinyl product)- i agree with mikeyc on this...
#6
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Thread Starter
Glad I asked.
>>the top on the S2K is made of vinyl and not fabric<<
I didn't know that, and would have assumed fabric - thanks.
I see that 303 Products has several products:
- Convertible Top Cleaner
- Fabric Cleaner (sounds like it would be good on our living rm upholstery)
- Fabric Guard
- Aerospace Protectant
If I go with 303 Products, it looks like I should use the Convertible Top Cleaner to wash it, then apply the Aerospace Protectant - sound right?
I see that RaggTop has a similar set of fabric/vinyl cleaner and protectant.
I'll pick up some car wash soap & wool washing mitts at the local auto parts store, probably order the 303 or Ragg stuff online.
Thanks, all.
) Bob Peitzke
Lovin' driving my S2K with top down in our sunny weather now.
>>the top on the S2K is made of vinyl and not fabric<<
I didn't know that, and would have assumed fabric - thanks.
I see that 303 Products has several products:
- Convertible Top Cleaner
- Fabric Cleaner (sounds like it would be good on our living rm upholstery)
- Fabric Guard
- Aerospace Protectant
If I go with 303 Products, it looks like I should use the Convertible Top Cleaner to wash it, then apply the Aerospace Protectant - sound right?
I see that RaggTop has a similar set of fabric/vinyl cleaner and protectant.
I'll pick up some car wash soap & wool washing mitts at the local auto parts store, probably order the 303 or Ragg stuff online.
Thanks, all.
) Bob Peitzke
Lovin' driving my S2K with top down in our sunny weather now.
#7
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OK....This is the first post that I've read about cleaning the top. I previously heard not to use soap or any thing else to clean or preserve the top. since, 2003, I have been using water and a tooth brush to get the bird crap off!
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.
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Originally Posted by Kens_s2000,Apr 6 2006, 06:29 PM
OK....This is the first post that I've read about cleaning the top. I previously heard not to use soap or any thing else to clean or preserve the top. since, 2003, I have been using water and a tooth brush to get the bird crap off!
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.
I wash my top with car wash soap along with the rest of the car on a weekly basis. I wouldn't use a car wash soap that has wax in it though (FYI most don't but check the label). This could contribute to dulling the top. Once a month or so I clean it with the Ragg Top vinyl cleaner and apply the Ragg Top vinyl protectant. If you don't protect your top it will fade over time.
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Originally Posted by Kens_s2000,Apr 6 2006, 07:29 PM
OK....This is the first post that I've read about cleaning the top. I previously heard not to use soap or any thing else to clean or preserve the top. since, 2003, I have been using water and a tooth brush to get the bird crap off!
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.
So....Again, is it ok to use cleansers and protectants on the top. I would really like to hear professional responces and not "Well, I do it so it has to be ok" type of responses.