Cleaning the convertible top?
04-20-2007, 12:19 AM
#1
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Houston/Florida.Currently FL
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cleaning the convertible top? hey im starting to detail peoples cars around here and was wondering how you clean a convertible top? same as regular or what? kind of a dumb question
04-20-2007, 05:53 AM
#4
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For light cleaning, do as transambandit said and use a shop vac and/or lint rollers.
To wash and protect your top, use this:
http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/rafakit.html
When washing it, be gentle, you don't want to scuff up the fabric, or create wear marks across the metal rails under the fabric (kind of like wear patterns on jeans). I use a very soft brush and gentle strokes. It's a little expensive, but worth it.
To wash and protect your top, use this:
http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/rafakit.html
When washing it, be gentle, you don't want to scuff up the fabric, or create wear marks across the metal rails under the fabric (kind of like wear patterns on jeans). I use a very soft brush and gentle strokes. It's a little expensive, but worth it.
Last edited by kyle_l; 04-20-2007 at 06:05 AM.
04-20-2007, 08:54 AM
#5
Launching!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Haartz, the manufacturer of our Cloth Tops... vinyl use a different cleaning method.
Cloth Top Cleaning
CAMBRIA®, STAYFAST®, TWILLFAST®, SONNENLAND®
Solution Dyed Acrylic Topping Fabric
Ordering Information at bottom of page
Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.
Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.
The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).
Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.
For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.
Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.
For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com.
Stayfast®, Twillfast®, Cambria® and Sonnenland® are registered trademarks of the Haartz Corporation.
RAGGTOPP™ is a trademark of Wolfsteins Pro-Series
CAMBRIA®, STAYFAST®, TWILLFAST®, SONNENLAND®
Solution Dyed Acrylic Topping Fabric
Ordering Information at bottom of page
Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.
Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.
The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).
Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.
For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.
Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.
For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com.
Stayfast®, Twillfast®, Cambria® and Sonnenland® are registered trademarks of the Haartz Corporation.
RAGGTOPP™ is a trademark of Wolfsteins Pro-Series
