Recommendations for Convertible Top Cleaner & Protector...

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Recommendations for Convertible Top Cleaner & Protector...

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I havent used this on my convertible top but used it on the vinyl interior on my boat a few years ago and it was the orange hand cleaner(Go Jo or whatever the name is). It has something in it that has some strength to even break down grease plus its got some sandy like grit in it to give some cleaning contact. Have to just keep rinsing it well with water after as you go along. The white vinyl looked like new again.

oshawacliff · Poncho Master!

I kept a jug in my shop. Excellent hand cleaner and came in a 1 gallon jug with a pump.

I even got a mounting bracket way back when. Hung there for more than 5 years and kept working in my shop that was not heated.

https://www.gojo.com/en-CA/Product/0979-02

-- Edited by oshawacliff on Sunday 19th of April 2020 01:37:08 PM

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Is your top vinyl or canvas?

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

I have a modern version of an English product called Swarfega. The original was super smooth and sometimes called soft soap. The version I have now has some sort of grittish like content in it, which makes me think it's the same or similar to your gojo.

Ok, so now I've put my sensible head on and pulled it out of the under sink cupboard instead of just guessing. Apparently it's water based with citrus oil and cornmeal hand scrub.

Sounds like I could give it a go, Joe.

I'll try to get round to taking a pic of the ingredients...........

-- Edited by 64PARCONUK on Sunday 19th of April 2020 12:58:40 PM

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

You just asked a very good question Ray !

How do I tell the difference ? This is my first convertible, so I am not sure which it is.

The material on my project car seems to be very smooth to the touch, the parts car has more of a "rough" feel to it's texture.

Hope that you can reply sometime Ray !

High Gear Guy

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

For stubborn spots on white convertible tops I have heard good things about the Magic Eraser. Be aware that it contains bleach so treat it accordingly and follow it with a rinse or thorough wipedown with a wet cloth. Don't be tempted to use Armor All, stay well away from it.

Wow, hit & run. furious It has happened to many of us I'm sure.

NOS · Poncho Master!

the black and gray spots are most likely mold . A white convertible top that looks real white can simply be bleached from sitting out in the weather for an extended time.

Be careful with caustic type cleaners as they can damage your paint. Damaged bindings around the rear window and above the door glass usually are the first signs of

deterioration

The vinyl should be reasonably ply able.

Good luck,

Dale @ NOS

-- Edited by NOS on Sunday 19th of April 2020 02:59:34 PM

-- Edited by NOS on Sunday 19th of April 2020 03:01:05 PM

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

High Gear Guy wrote:
You just asked a very good question Ray !
How do I tell the difference ? This is my first convertible, so I am not sure which it is.
The material on my project car seems to be very smooth to the touch, the parts car has more of a "rough" feel to it's texture.
Hope that you can reply sometime Ray !

High Gear Guy

The best way to tell if you have vinyl or fabric is to feel the top. If it looks and feels like say tent material its fabric, but if it looks and feels like grained plastic its vinyl.

I can't imagine that a 1966 Pontiac has fabric but I asked in case over the past 50+ years it was upgraded to fabric. It is most likely vinyl. Fabric, Canvas, Double-Duck whatever one calls it, were and are generally reserved for high end cars because it is a more elegant and of course expensive way to do a convertible. My Corvette for example has a Canvas top and cleaning and care for canvas is much more involved as they are much more "delicate" which is the best word I can come up with.

In either case never scrub the daylights out of a convertible top. Use a soft brush and shampoo designed for your type of top and wash the entire top every time you do, never spot clean or you will risk highlighting the spots. I see others have said they use cleaners with bleach in them, magic eraser and even that orange product has bleach in it and grit too, I can't imagine either is good for the top, bleach will break down vinyl over time and the grit will scratch it and degrade it.

So what do I use, I have a lot of success with Meguiar's products made for convertible tops and in your case Meguiar's vinyl prep may be the solution for the spots of mold. I also recommend Simple Green to start with.

Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate 32oz

meguiars-39-professional-heavy-duty-viny

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High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Thanks so much everyone for all of the great Posts here.

You have given me lots of great ideas to consider here !

This '64 Pontiac Parisienne convertible had a new top put on just a very few years ago, so at least I am not working with 56 year old original covering material !

I basically bought it for the entire convertible top, hardware, and pump assembly. There are still quite a number of good parts on it for someone, so I will post a complete listing in our Parts for Sale area in the Spring, if it ever arrives !

Thanks again All !!!

Jim, the High Gear Guy

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I bought a product at a flea market last year for my convertible top but haven't yet tried it. Also supposed to work on vinyl tops.

It's 2 part, fabric and vinyl cleaner then vinyl protectant.
Company is called RaggTopp.
Local distributor is in Thornhill

Regardless it is marketed specifically for this purpose and not just a general cleaner. Protection after cleaning sounds like a good course of action.

Hasn't been warm enough this spring to try it as instructions say to use above 54 deg F.
It wasn't exactly cheap either but you usually get what you pay for.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

norontcan wrote:
I bought a product at a flea market last year for my convertible top but haven't yet tried it. Also supposed to work on vinyl tops.

It's 2 part, fabric and vinyl cleaner then vinyl protectant.
Company is called RaggTopp.
Local distributor is in Thornhill

Regardless it is marketed specifically for this purpose and not just a general cleaner. Protection after cleaning sounds like a good course of action.

Hasn't been warm enough this spring to try it as instructions say to use above 54 deg F.
It wasn't exactly cheap either but you usually get what you pay for.

Hey Ted, did you get the twin pack, cleaner and fabric protectant?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

High Gear Guy wrote:
Thanks so much everyone for all of the great Posts here.

You have given me lots of great ideas to consider here !

This '64 Pontiac Parisienne convertible had a new top put on just a very few years ago, so at least I am not working with 56 year old original covering material !

I basically bought it for the entire convertible top, hardware, and pump assembly. There are still quite a number of good parts on it for someone, so I will post a complete listing in our Parts for Sale area in the Spring, if it ever arrives !

Thanks again All !!!

Jim, the High Gear Guy

You're not thinking it will fit your 66 are you?

NOS · Poncho Master!

4SPEED427 wrote:
High Gear Guy wrote:
Thanks so much everyone for all of the great Posts here.

You have given me lots of great ideas to consider here !

This '64 Pontiac Parisienne convertible had a new top put on just a very few years ago, so at least I am not working with 56 year old original covering material !

I basically bought it for the entire convertible top, hardware, and pump assembly. There are still quite a number of good parts on it for someone, so I will post a complete listing in our Parts for Sale area in the Spring, if it ever arrives !

Thanks again All !!!

Jim, the High Gear Guy
You're not thinking it will fit your 66 are you?
good point Carl; top fits are; 61-64 'B' bodies; 65-70 'B' bodies (top stays the same but glass window was added in '68), and RaggTop is the way to go for

top maintenance

-- Edited by NOS on Sunday 19th of April 2020 09:29:30 PM

-- Edited by NOS on Sunday 19th of April 2020 09:43:44 PM

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
norontcan wrote:
I bought a product at a flea market last year for my convertible top but haven't yet tried it. Also supposed to work on vinyl tops.

It's 2 part, fabric and vinyl cleaner then vinyl protectant.
Company is called RaggTopp.
Local distributor is in Thornhill

Regardless it is marketed specifically for this purpose and not just a general cleaner. Protection after cleaning sounds like a good course of action.

Hasn't been warm enough this spring to try it as instructions say to use above 54 deg F.
It wasn't exactly cheap either but you usually get what you pay for.
Hey Ted, did you get the twin pack, cleaner and fabric protectant?
What I got looks more like a small sample pack ( 4 oz of each ) which I'm told was enough for 1 convertible top. I've since bought a car with a 1/2 vinyl top so will probably try it there first.
Think the small pack was $15 if this old memory is still working.

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Since NOS has endorsed the product I'll post their website. Just wasn't sure if I'd been sold some snake oil by a fast talking vendor. Remember I haven't tried it yet.

www.wolfsteins.com
Just remember it's a US site and thus pricing is in US $
or
www.wheelwax.ca
for a Canadian distributor.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Good point here Guys !

The smashed up Parisienne I bought is a '64, and my project Parisienne is a '66.

The Guy that I bought the wreck from said it would fit with "no problem", and there was another Guy in the wings who wanted to buy the wreck locally, so I thought that I should grab it while it was available.

I took a few quick measurements off my '66, and it sure looks the same.....

Well, now I am seriously hoping that it will fit O.K., otherwise I will just try to sell the wreck to someone else.

I guess I maybe should have done some more homework here....

Can anybody share an opinion if this '64 rag top will fit a '66 rag top Pontiac please ?

Jim the High Gear Guy

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

Here's the ingredient list for our Swarfega:

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

Anything in there I should worry about?

Pritch · Guru

Jim, at the risk of sounding snide, Dale from NOS has already addressed your question. And, believe me, if he does not know, no one knows. A '64 top does not fit a '66. If you require any further proof, check with any company that sells convertible tops for these old cars. They are always listed as '61 - '64. Here are just two places to check. Convertible Top Guys, Tops On Line. As one who has had the top on a '64CS replaced, I can assure you that, even if the top does look good, there will be some hidden secrets once the used top is removed. Mine looked great as far as the eye could see, but once we started the removal, the vinyl below the back window and sides was completely rotten. I do wish you the best of luck.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Hey there Pritch ! :

Thanks for your candid comments ! The '66 Parisienne Custom Sport that I bought was left outside one Winter, covered up, but it succumbed to a very heavy snowfall, and it all caved in. My convertible top was destroyed in that mishap, but I knew about it before I made my purchase Pritch. With this '64 Parisienne, I figured that I can likely salvage the mechanical structure, the lift pump, etc. if nothing else. The Guy who was selling it said that he thought that rag top was installed about 3 years ago, and he said it came from Ames Performance in the U.S. I took a few crude measurements today of the '64, and the '66 tops, and they sure look the same dimensionally. I guess this Spring will tell the tale I suppose.

Thanks very much again for your reply here Pritch, it is greatly appreciated !

If I am somewhat successful is swapping out these convertible tops, I will definitely post some "Before & After" pictures !

Regards,

Jim the High Gear Guy

Pritch · Guru

Thanks for the prompt reply, Jim. I suspect that some of the hardware may work, especially the pump, hydraulic lines, and maybe even the cylinders. I purchased all of these parts new when I replaced my top. Ironically, my top frame, including the front bow, was in great shape. The front bows are prone to rusting out. Luckily, my CS has been kept inside since 1975. However, I did remove the entire hardware and frame and repainted it before installing the new top. I suggest that you remove the old material on your '66 and replace any worn out parts. Then, get just the frame working up and down to your satisfaction. I spent hours re-adjusting mine until I got it to operate smoothly and evenly. Then comes the process of installing the top itself. Fortunately, a good friend of mine used to work for a company called Standard Auto Glass. This company specialized in convertible tops. With his invaluable skills, knowledge, and expertise (over 350 tops installed by him alone), we were able to complete the installation of the two piece top. I opted for an additional "feature strip" when I ordered my top from Convertible Top Guys. In '64, the rear plastic window disappeared below the trunk area. This feature strip came standard beginning in '65. The look with the feature strip is far superior to the factory '64 look in my opinion. I also opted for the non-zippered plastic window when I ordered my top. I would liked to have ordered the glass back window, but they are too small for the size of the top in my opinion. I suppose I could have shared this information in a PM. Hopefully, I have not derailed your original post. I look forward to updates on your progress. smile

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I had good luck dealing with Hydro-E-Lectric out of Florida for both parts and the top.

High Gear Guy · Veteran Member

Hi Ches :

I just forgot to send you the picture of my "Mantra For Life" plaque that I made.

Jim The High Gear Guy

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

Brilliant, I needed a new desktop background, thanks Jim.