MTFCA Forum

What do you like to use to clean and protect your top ??
Mine is about 40 years old and still in very good condition, but it has some mildew and just needs a good cleaning and something to help from mildew.

I don't care for the slimey shine of Armor All.
Everything sticks to it...

I should mention, it is vinyl, not canvas.

Nu Vinyl. Have used this for many years, low sheen, protects. Liquid with cloth to rub on, or you can get it in spray bottle too.

The key is to remove all the mildew. The best thing is old as the hills, white distilled vinegar and warm water. With a damp rag and one pan of the vinegar and 1/3 hot water, let sit for about 3-5 minutes, then rise with a pan of hot water and rag. A small brush like a toothbrush works good for getting into the grains. If the top is of a vinyl coated material (Cobra), a redressing coating should be applied to seal it if any minute cracks are detected. Kiwi brand sole and heel dressing is this type of coating.

Hope this Helps,

All the Best,

Hank

Murphys Oil Soap and water, diluted to the bottle directions. Scrub, rinse, wipe down again with clean Murphy’s and water & towel dry.

Adam wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:07 pm

Murphys Oil Soap and water, diluted to the bottle directions. Scrub, rinse, wipe down again with clean Murphy’s and water & towel dry.

Adam, that's what I used last time... I did not remove the mildew first, like Hank suggested.
I think I will hit it with the vinegar and follow up with Murphy's.

I use Murphy's to wash my cars...beads water real nice !!
DO NOT get it on the brake rotor on your motorcycle, ask me how I know that

Does it make you scream at the same note like ArmorAll going though a stop sign on the front brake disc? Don't ask how I know that one either!

Hank

Don't use ArmorAll for anything that will be around something that will be painted. It has silicone in it and that is death for paint. Also, contrary to what they say, it deteriorates rubber. That's what the restoration guys that make replacement rubber moldings for restoration say, doesn't do anything for vinyl either. That crap should be outlawed! JMHO. Dave

I had read many years ago that silicone products that leave rubber and vinyl with a shiny wet look somehow accelerate UV decay. Dunno if that's scienterrifically provable, but I've never used the stuff or liked it. "Bleche-white" does a good job cleaning "rubberized" top material.

When I worked at a body shop years ago, we used a product called WOW. Similar to ArmorAll, but not as slimey.
One of the kids, used a tack rag (cheesecloth and bees wax for paint prep) to apply WOW and put it back with some other used tack rags.
The boss grabbed it and wiped a hood down and sprayed some paint on... It was ugly, had to wipe the wet paint off and start over !!

I've been using plain water for years. Works great. The top on my '13 touring has been on the car for 55+ years, and still looks good.

I ended up trying a spot with Orange Awesome (I had it already), sprayed it on and scrubbed with a rag. Took a lot of dirt off, I struggled a little, cause I couldn't find my arm extensions
Then I washed the rest of the car and rinsed the top good and dried it.
Looks much more better !!
I found a couple spots that need a tack or two put in before things get worse.

I think the Awesome Orange worked pretty good !
Have to see how the time test goes...