I have just recently joined the group of convertible owners, and I am not sure what kind of products to look for that I can use to clean and maintain the apperance of the convertible top itself.
The car sits in my Car Port out of the sun but she comes out on the weekends, and I want to keep the top from fading. Not only that, but my poor baby got hit by the birds, so what would take those white spots out without damage?
My dad doesn't use anything on his top (2000 GT w/tan top), but I have wanted to pick up some of the Mothers Convertable Top cleaner from advance and try it out. I've read a few good things on it on the net, but like I said, I haven't tried it personally.
I've been doing quite a bit of research into this subject, as I too am a brand new convert owner. Just picked up my '01 GT and have been driving non-stop all weekend. It appears that the top's fabric is a vinyl sailcloth, not canvass.
Haartz, the company which provides the material for many convertibles, endorses "Ragg Topp" cleaner. It's supposed to work on cloth or vinyl. But the preserve that you apply after cleaning must be specifically for cloth or vinyl. They make separate products. But just to by safe, have a dealer tell you what's on top, as it may or may not be the original material.
Been using the Mothers Convertible Top Cleaner on my T-bird's Landau top and my sister's '88 LX vert both... very pleased with the results.
(should've seen her face when she saw how many different solutions it takes to PROPERLY clean a car! But she's getting the hang of it, she did most of the car herself (with some help, after I showed her how to use the different solutions) she thinks that Mothers makes the best stuff in the world now... because her car (which was extremely weatherbeaten when we got it home, and the top looked completely ruined) looks pretty good!)
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1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
to get the bird crap off of the car, i just use my power washer. after i get it wet, i make sure i dry it with a towel instead of letting it air dry. if you let it air dry, you get white spots.
FYI..with Ragg Topp, buy the cleaner (works on either vinyl or fabric tops) *AND* buy the protectant that's appropriate for your top. They have one for just vinyl and anothe for fabric only.
Trust me...this stuff restores to showroom condition and LASTS!! Once it's clean and protected, it's so much easier to keep clean.
Looking at new verts in the parking lot (not Mustangs), I realized that mine isn't as 'black' as a new one. Can anyone recommend a product which makes the top blacker? Or just giving it a good rub down with one of the cleaning products & protectants bring it back to BLACK?
I use cleaner that is made by Ford on my 04 Stang rag top, but it is also cloth
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Originally Posted by PennylessZ28
I have just recently joined the group of convertible owners, and I am not sure what kind of products to look for that I can use to clean and maintain the apperance of the convertible top itself.
The car sits in my Car Port out of the sun but she comes out on the weekends, and I want to keep the top from fading. Not only that, but my poor baby got hit by the birds, so what would take those white spots out without damage?
I use STP Vinyl/plastic cleaner. Same stuff as armor all.....just 2 bucks a bottle. Works great too. I just wash my car with soap and water, dry, and apply STP.
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1988 Supercharged 'Vert - SOLD!!!
1970 F100 - 10 bolt posi Rear end, Fuel Injected 302, Traction Bars, EQ shorties, Bed Cover, Custom Interior with power leather seats- custom dash/console, AOD w/ B&M shifter, Tubbed w/ 15x10s rear and 15x7s up front, no emissions junk and it's LEGAL!!!
"Only two defining forces have ever offerred to die for you: Je$us Christ and the American G.I." - Author Unknown
Convertible owners! Products for Convert. Top 
But she's getting the hang of it, she did most of the car herself (with some help, after I showed her how to use the different solutions) she thinks that Mothers makes the best stuff in the world now... because her car (which was extremely weatherbeaten when we got it home, and the top looked completely ruined) looks pretty good!)
RaggTop Rules! 
