For fabric convertible tops you can also carefully use a vacuum to extract any loose dirt or dust that settle into the fabric fibers. It was one of the best on the mildew and staining, pulling both out with little effort. Again, you can protect it the same way as you would the rest of its body, which is with the use of wax. Thoroughly rinse the convertible top. Make sure that no cleaner and contaminants are left behind. Safely Clean your Fabric or Vinyl Convertible Top! We marked cleaning, ease of application and proofer effectiveness at the end, by checking for water beading. Which Type of Queuing Model Would Be Best for Analyzing an Automated Car Wash? Going for the direct application would be easier, as you would simply spray the product on the surface. (P 332+313), P 501: Dispose of contents/container at . After dampening the hood, we used this to get the cleaner into the dirty areas. The surface must be completely dried after you wash a convertible car roof to prepare it for the protectant. This solution safely removes stubborn impurities and stains such as: hard water, dirt left by birds and oil without affecting the surface. Copyright 2022 - Charm City Circulator. Always wash your car in the shade, never in direct sunlight. If it starts to soak in, it is more than likely fabric, but if it sits on the top and just smears but does not soak in, it is more than likely vinyl. (P 305+351+338), P 310: Contact Poison Control Center or seek medical advice immediately. A traditional fabric folding roof is at the mercy of the elements, including rain, bird lime, tree sap and airborne detritus, and so it needs more care than a metal alternative. Follow this simple maintenance regimen and your convertible top will look good and perform well for years to come! Also, use gentle sweeping motions upon application to ensure the entire roof is covered while not getting too soaked. Read below for specifics on carrying out this task. For a vinyl top, one coating of the vinyl protectant would suffice. Just be careful to keep the water force under 1500 PSI. (P 501), Suitable for all material, mohair and vinyl convertible cover, Safe and effective cleaning on all fuel, mohair and vinyl convertible cover. But unlike other automated car wash types, particularly the traditional automatic car wash and the brushless automatic car wash, an automatic touchless car wash doesnt make use of any spinning brushes or cloth strips. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe off any excess overspray on paint, trim or glass. Spray McKee's 37 Plex-All Plastic Cleaner, Polish and Protectant directly onto a clean, dry microfiber towel and use to polish and clean your window, inside and out. Its chemical make-up is also different, so the cleaner had to be left for 10-20 minutes to soak in, and needed a little agitation. The protectant can be applied either by spraying it directly onto the roof or by using a microfiber towel. You may take advantage of the sun for drying. After washing, dry your convertible fabric or vinyl top using a Microfiber Drying Towel. For really tough marks Autoglym recommends covering in plastic and leaving overnight. There was no specific time limit, so it was left for two minutes. Using a hose with a spray attachment would make the job more efficient. Remove contact lenses if applicable/possible. The BIODEGRADABLE formula gently removes dirt without hard scrubbing and leaves a like-new-looking convertible top.This text is machine translated. Choosing to use a microfiber towel would make the application much more controlled, as you would spray the product onto the microfiber towel and rub it on the surface. I just had a couple questions and comments. There was no spray nozzle, so we had to use a separate container to brush the liquids onto the roof. The convertible automobile is a combination of beauty, performance and superior engineering. The mildew and stain came up well, and the beading was still good at the end, but Renovo was not the best. Although they were the second priciest, the overall difference wasnt that great and the kit did include a rough sponge applicator, ideal for using with the cleaner. This fog is created by the evaporation of plasticizers which are used in the manufacturing of vinyl to keep it flexible. Patented, silicone-free fabric protection! Heres a tip on how to identify a soft tops material: vinyl is a water-resistant material so it would make the water roll off; fabric, on the other hand, would absorb the water. If the car wash shampoo contains gloss enhancers, the top will absorb them and become a dust magnet. To be able to keep it looking fantastic and have an enjoyable experience of riding it, you must know how to clean your convertible top, especially if your car has a soft top, as this type of roof requires much caution. RECOMMENDED A new name to the test, the Protex combo scored well in terms of price because it was the cheapest we tested (other than the diluted Gtechniq). Did you put any protectant on it after? We used it at a more typical medium-strength 5:1 dilution (which effectively made the price very low). This article will take you through simple steps that will keep your convertible top looking good and performing well for years to come. Windy weather can interfere with the protectant application. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Basically, you can use a car wash soap and a soft cloth. Is It Safe? 6 Quick & Easy Steps. How Often Should You Apply a Convertible Top Protectant? Unlike some, it advised the use of a stiff brush to work the cleaner into our dampened, ground-in stains. This is what holds your convertible top together so get it protected IMMEDIATELY! Just dont spray it too close but rather 8 to 12 inches to spread the product lightly and evenly. As many as three coats of protectant can be applied. This is why it is vitally important to protect your convertible top and keep it protected as a part of your maintenance regimen. We tested on a particularly ill-used hood, which was badly stained and had a large mildewed area. Stains on a tan soft top are not only unsightly but may lead to the roof getting degraded when improperly cleaned with aggressive scrubbing. Furthermore, this guide will explain if its safe for you to take your convertible through the car wash. With the use of the right methods and materials for how to clean your convertible top, your car will look good and damage-free. For a car used regularly and kept outside, wed suggest cleaning and reproofing a couple of times a year. Make the surface thoroughly wet to prepare it for the next step. Wash the outside of your window with a microfiber wash mitt and your car wash shampoo to remove loose dirt and debris during your normal car wash process. Copyright Autovia Ltd 2021. Even a light breeze will cause more overspray and will also stir up dirt and dust that will be attracted to your convertible top until the protectant is dry. This period took in the last of the summer sun, wind, rain and sap, and the first autumn frosts. Simple removal of dirt and stubborn stains caused by acid rain, bird droppings, oil, etc. If your convertible top is dirty use a convertible top cleaner followed by your convertible top protectant. Never mind keeping the roof clean, why not just buy a new convertible? We all know why we are attracted to the sleek masterful design of a convertible - they are pleasing to the eye, fun to drive and are even a little sexy! Rinse thoroughly with water until no remaining foam from Convertible Top Cleaner is observed. Blvd. I order at least once a year from Autopia to stock up on some necessities. If possible avoid applying protectant on windy days or pull your car inside the garage. You will be surprised how this simple step will bring back that crisp new look. We recommend cleaners specifically designed for convertible tops, as many car wash shampoos contain gloss-enhancers. Not Everybody Knows! After four weeks the proofer was shifting plenty of water, but the amount of beading couldnt match the best we tried. We liked its floral fragrance, and its cleaning abilities were impressive on the staining, mildew and some areas of bird lime, almost equalling the Gtechniqs. Using this method would prevent the spread of contaminants and inflicting scratches with abrasive contaminants that may get dragged along the paintwork. I work for 303, the top looks great and the Megs is a good product. There are no members to list at the moment. Meguiar's Convertible Top Cleaner, 473mlcleans the mold stains and leaves a surface like new to ensure the most suitable image for the convertible. As with most of the samples, we tried 500ml packs of the Renovo products, although the proofer is also available at 21.95 for a litre. How Would You Know if a Soft Top is Fabric or Vinyl? McKee's 37 Plex-All Plastic Cleaner, Polish and Protectant also works great on your headlights, taillight lenses and gauges. If possible avoid applying protectant on windy days or pull your car inside the garage. The all-electric Peugeot e-2008 compact crossover gets extended range as part of updates for 2022, SsangYongs new Torres will take on the electric SUV market in 2023, Try 6 issues for just 1 + FREE welcome gift. If you need to get stains out of convertible top that are hard to clean, the cleaner may be sprayed and left on the affected areas for 15 to 20 minutes before being scrubbed. Keep your convertible top protected like you do your paint. (H 411), P 280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. About me, I am passionate about cars and automotive projects. Apply every 6-8 weeks for maximum UV protection and to protect against the harsh environmental elements. Do not use your scrub brush on the vinyl window, it will scratch and decrease visibility. This could also have been done by the dealership when it was new so it is best to test your top if you are not absolutely sure of the material. We sprayed on the conditioner, again using the brush where necessary to ensure full coverage. The rigid or flexible rear window on your convertible top is delicate and needs special care too. Do not use a terry cloth towel or diaper to dry your convertible, as they will leave lint on fabric convertible tops. For best results, protect your fabric, cloth or canvas convertible top at least 3-4 times per year and your vinyl convertible top as often as every 4-5 weeks. However by the end of the test the beading had slowed and dropped behind the performance of our top two. Or you can also use a pressure washer. In the case of the convertible hardtop, it was earlier mentioned that it should be protected with spray wax, which typically should be applied after every wash. Just as with several of the others here the initial beading performance was good, but after eight weeks its effectiveness had begun to lapse a little. Keep in mind, if you are not the original owner, the top could have been replaced with a top made from a different material. If your convertible top is dirty use a non-detergent-based convertible top cleaner followed by your convertible top protectant. For a fabric convertible top, its advisable to apply a protectant every six to eight weeks, while for a vinyl top, you may apply a protectant every four to five weeks. Cleaning and protecting your convertible top is very important when it comes to the maintenance of your car. To properly care for convertible soft top without causing damage, you need to clean it in accordance with its material. Chemicals you should not use on or near your convertible top include ammonia, bleach, detergent, alcohol and vinegar. (H 318), H 411: Toxic to aquatic life, with long-lasting effects. Alcohol and ammonia, for example, can make a vinyl top cloudy and a fabric top dry. Keeping your convertible top clean is important. All rights reserved.Auto Express is a registered trade mark. Shake fabric convertible top protectant well before use and several times during application. So which combination ensures your rag-top is ready for the better weather? Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson: 2022 twin test review, New SsangYong Torres unveiled on social media. DO NOT SATURATE! Common household cleaning products can be very harmful to your soft convertible top. You must apply the protectant lightly and evenly in an upright position at a distance of 16 to 18 inches using gentle sweeping motions. Dont use paste wax though, as it would be best to use spray wax. Regular use of McKee's 37 Plex-All Plastic Cleaner, Polish and Protectant will prevent fogging, hazing, yellowing and oxidation which diminishes the plastic's luster, strength and appearance. See and discover other items from category Vehicle Exterior Cleaning. In common with most others, the Car Gods 54 products suggested first removing loose dirt with a brush or vacuum.