Roof maintenance
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I got the RaggTopp kit with the blue Nylex brush. RaggTopp is endorsed by Haartz, the manufacturer of the material used in virtually all fabric convertible tops.
(http://www.autopia-carcare.com/raggtopp-premium-fabric-top-kit.html#.WDUiJfkrLIU)
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641 Posts
That is good stuff...
I like the price of that 303 over the Raggtop. I'll give it a try.
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713 Posts
Car wash soap is the worst enemy of a canvas top, according to one of my local top shops, in business for over 50 years. It's best to just rinse it when you wash the rest of the car, and occasionally use a brush and protectant. Whatever you do, don't go to an automatic car wash and let them spray wax. That's the worst.
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163 Posts
Does this mean the soap they supply at a car wash, or any soap, including those mild soaps made for car finishes?
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1,120 Posts
Using a mild soapy solution occasionally on your roof when it gets really dirty is not going to do it any harm. Certainly a lot less harm than allowing ingrained dirt to develop. I think people are saying don't use products with additives that are designed to protect paint on your roof.
2019 124 Spider Abarth - Hypnotic Red w/very large old man spilling out.
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213 Posts
So....It has been Six Years....Your tops are 6 years older...which product works best, 303 or RaggTop for keeping that sexy top...well sexy...and in great condition?
I am in Arizona desert, so if one works better in a dry and sandy client, please mention that!
Thanks
Tizz
I am in Arizona desert, so if one works better in a dry and sandy client, please mention that!
Thanks
Tizz
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1,330 Posts
Tizz, I am in Minnesota driving spring through fall. On rainy days my car stays in the garage. Other than airborne dust, my roof stays fairly clean. I wash the car by hand every couple weeks. Before washing I use this brush attachment (amazon link below) on my shop vac to clean off any loose dirt and dust, and then give it a spray down with the garden hose at the end of the car wash process. I use my electric leaf blower to remove most of the rinse water from the car body and roof, then gently towel dry the roof. When all done I drive a few miles on the freeway to air dry the roof more, then when parked I pop the roof latch and elevate the roof about a foot or so from the windshield to allow air to get down under the base of the roof. Towel dry that base area as needed, down below what is normally exposed. (And read recent threads about cleaning the roof drain filters, too.)
https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-9018000-4-Inch-Bristle-Brush/dp/B00F1BYJZ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?crid=3UW5XT1UNCLO6&keywords=shop+vac+brush&qid=1665918902&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjE2IiwicXNhIjoiNC41OSIsInFzcCI6IjQuNTYifQ==&sprefix=shop+vac+brush,aps,314&sr=8-20
I keep this brush set aside in a plastic bag for use only with the car. I also use the vac to clean the brush itself- pull it off the hose and scrub the bristles over the end of the hose. I also use the same vac brush to wash the top with 303 top cleaner- spray on the cleaner and gently, lightly scrub the top with the vac brush. This works very well, it is a very soft brush.
I'll admit to sealing the roof only twice in 6 summers, using 303 each time. The first time I poured it out from the spray bottle into a container and used a natural bristle brush to apply- pain in the butt. The next time I used large plastic construction waste trash bags (cut on thier side seams to double their size) and masked off the car. I did this by releasing the top, draping the plastic over the windshield and door windows and door panels (you'll need to re-elevate the windows most of the way up), then close the top from outside but not latching it, it stayed closed but loose. I tucked plastic down behind the body panels at the base of the roof, and masked the rear window with blue painter's tape and plastic. This process was its own pain in the butt, but I could now just spray the 303 as intended, which worked well. You do not want this stuff on the painted body. Give the front half of the roof extra attention with your product of choice- that is the most weather beaten area of the roof, both rain and shine.
I found the 303 penetrated the blue tape on the rear window, requiring using a fresh straight razor blade to scrape residue off the glass. Maybe a plastic tape next time. Maybe Frog Tape masking tape?
Yep, a soft top requires work but it is worth it for prolonged service life and good looks. I'll do the full service on mine again next spring.
Steve.
https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-9018000-4-Inch-Bristle-Brush/dp/B00F1BYJZ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?crid=3UW5XT1UNCLO6&keywords=shop+vac+brush&qid=1665918902&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjE2IiwicXNhIjoiNC41OSIsInFzcCI6IjQuNTYifQ==&sprefix=shop+vac+brush,aps,314&sr=8-20
I keep this brush set aside in a plastic bag for use only with the car. I also use the vac to clean the brush itself- pull it off the hose and scrub the bristles over the end of the hose. I also use the same vac brush to wash the top with 303 top cleaner- spray on the cleaner and gently, lightly scrub the top with the vac brush. This works very well, it is a very soft brush.
I'll admit to sealing the roof only twice in 6 summers, using 303 each time. The first time I poured it out from the spray bottle into a container and used a natural bristle brush to apply- pain in the butt. The next time I used large plastic construction waste trash bags (cut on thier side seams to double their size) and masked off the car. I did this by releasing the top, draping the plastic over the windshield and door windows and door panels (you'll need to re-elevate the windows most of the way up), then close the top from outside but not latching it, it stayed closed but loose. I tucked plastic down behind the body panels at the base of the roof, and masked the rear window with blue painter's tape and plastic. This process was its own pain in the butt, but I could now just spray the 303 as intended, which worked well. You do not want this stuff on the painted body. Give the front half of the roof extra attention with your product of choice- that is the most weather beaten area of the roof, both rain and shine.
I found the 303 penetrated the blue tape on the rear window, requiring using a fresh straight razor blade to scrape residue off the glass. Maybe a plastic tape next time. Maybe Frog Tape masking tape?
Yep, a soft top requires work but it is worth it for prolonged service life and good looks. I'll do the full service on mine again next spring.
Steve.
2019 124 Spider Abarth - Hypnotic Red w/very large old man spilling out.
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213 Posts
so...I finally got time to treat the top...
my dog...hair...omg....everywhere. lol I ended up using a lint roller hahaha
I taped and plastic covered the car so I could spray it. Not again. The sprayer was not even. Next time, I will use a brush on technique for sure. I got it full coverage, but some spots got more than others. 2nd time is the charm? lol
my dog...hair...omg....everywhere. lol I ended up using a lint roller hahaha
I taped and plastic covered the car so I could spray it. Not again. The sprayer was not even. Next time, I will use a brush on technique for sure. I got it full coverage, but some spots got more than others. 2nd time is the charm? lol
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