Convertible top questions

[waterlife]

What do you guy use to condition a vinyl convertible top? Is it BS or a useful product?

Al

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Generally use automotive soap (it rinses well) with sponge and rinse well when washing the car when it needs it. I have a bottle of Raggtopp cleaner which I've used once in a while, but to be honest , it never impressed me as being really effective. I often have to address bug splats, bird crap and tar splats and after extended highway drives (especially if it rains) diesel oil streaks. For those, I'll use spot cleaning method with piece of soft cotton rag and the top cleaner. Sometimes it works.

I've used a rag moistened with Naphtha ('lighter fluid') to deal with some tar / insect stains that has worked, but I'm cautious with using it since I don't want to 'stress' the fabric with anything really harsh.

Worse cleaning job I ever had was after driving from WNY to Vermont back in the 90's for a weekend fun show. Torrential rain for the entire drive. Upon arrival , the white top had turned gray and was heavily streaked with diesel oil and grease. I immediately washed the car while the top was still wet from the drive with auto soap and micro-cloth sponge which pretty much cleaned 99% of the crud.

 

[luxstang]

I have some expensive high quality stuff to clean and preserve vinyl tops and I'm less than thrilled. Neither that stuff nor soap and water do the trick. The top stays stained and looks used.

I've never succeeded in getting it really clean.

 

[waterlife]

Guy, maybe I did make myself clear. I want to condition the vinyl top material. The top has been down soo long it will not come close to closing. I have put weight on the front of the top to weigh it down, hasnt worked yet. I figured some conditioner, like "armor all"  would help it stretch out a bit

Alex

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi Alex,

It sounds like your top is pretty old, and the vinyl has gotten hard with age. It's a well known fact that anyone should not leave the top down for long periods of time, as this problem can occur. Do not use Armorall on your top.

If you are looking for a product that can re soften up the vinyl, then here is a link to a product that should work for you. I have not used this product myself, so i can't vouch for it in any way.

https://leathermagic.com/vinyl-softener/

Another idea is to leave your car with the top out in the full sun for a few hours - that will help big time soften up the vinyl, and then you can attempt to properly close and fasten the top down. If you can do that, then leave it closed for a couple of weeks and out in the sun as well. That should help the vinyl to re stretch out again and form a new memory for the future.

You could also use the product i suggested above as well as the sun treatment to re soften and stretch out the old vinyl.

Good luck with it all,

Greg.

 

[waterlife]

Hey Greg

I think the top was replaced few years ago. It looks very good and the frame was painted. IMO, the piston seized and a line blew, the PO pulled the pins and used the top manually. Since the car was in South CA, I guess there isnt much need to put the top up. Could have been down for years, who knows??

Alex

 

[Pastel Blue]

Hey Greg

I think the top was replaced few years ago. It looks very good and the frame was painted. IMO, the piston seized and a line blew, the PO pulled the pins and used the top manually. Since the car was in South CA, I guess there isnt much need to put the top up. Could have been down for years, who knows??

Alex

You should have seen this top when I took it apart... Like yours, the top fluid had also leaked out and made quite the mess of the rear seat and floor areas... lots of fun...

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Guy, maybe I did make myself clear. I want to condition the vinyl top material. The top has been down soo long it will not come close to closing. I have put weight on the front of the top to weigh it down, hasnt worked yet. I figured some conditioner, like "armor all"  would help it stretch out a bit

Alex

As Greg noted, leaving a vinyl top down for an extended period of time is not good since, as you found, it shrunk.   Steam might work to see if it will stretch out in order to be able to clamp it.  If you can't rent or borrow a steamer used by upholstery shops, try putting it up as far as it will go on a warm sunny day, wet it completely (keep back window zipped in position) and every 15 -20 minutes try gently pulling it closed.  Keep it wet until it closes.    Leave it closed in the sun for as long as possible and keep it closed for a week or two.

Caution: do not put excessive pressure on the front bow clamps since they are pot metal and will break.

Conditioner / Cleaners are not going to do much for it at this point.

 

[waterlife]

2 other opinions I received are

loosen the top material at the rear, not 4 me, I'll screw up the top for sure

Wipe the vinyl with WD40

 

[imusa76]

I think if you leave the car in full sun beating n it, then manually keep streaking it till you get it closed then leave it closed in the sun for a few more days you should be ok. Sun and Heat will be your best friend now.

like others have said, leaving the top down, the vinyl naturally shrinks.