Stained White Top

snowman23 · 03-16-2004

Hi everyone

I am new to the Mustang world and this forum. I have purchased a 90 GT covertible that has a white top. (With only 55K on it and just a minor bit of paint "refreshing" that it needs-all in all a great deal) The 2 year old top is in really good condition except that it has black "smudges" on it, especially on the sides behind the quarter windows.
Going on a recommendation from a bodyshop, I used Boraxo hand soap made into a "paste" with water to clean it. I spread it on, let it sit, scrubbed with a brush and rinsed.This worked unbelievebly on the top except on these smudges which now stand out even more due to the gleaming white.
I have tried a number of things (although after searching here tonight, I still can try the Ragtopp cleaner and another suggestion I was given was an ammonia/water mixture).

I am looking for any suggestions on how to try to rid myself of these stains.

Thanks in advance.

GTRaptor · 03-17-2004

Some tips :

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/632.shtml

caveman · 03-19-2004

try a little gojo

vibred93vert · 03-20-2004

Simple Green?? I use car wash soap on my top and then Meguiars Heavy Duty Vynly Cleaner

Caddylack · 04-03-2004

Lava soap?

newstangownr · 04-08-2004

I've used this formula for removing stains from various surfaces around the house: Mix tri-sodium-phosphate (available at the hardware store) with an absorbant material like baking powder. Add some water and make it into a paste and spread it onto the stain. As the material dries, it will draw the stain into itself. Be VERY CAREFUL to avoid getting this stuff on your paint. It's a pretty powerful cleaning agent. Or, use a stiff toothbrush and straight TSP. You can use TSP around the house for cleaing really dirty equipment, as an additive to laundry, or for preparing serfaces for painting. It does wonders for cleaing grout lines.

snowman23 · 04-11-2004

I posted the full explanation in the 5.0 tech forum

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...threadid=26977

but in a nutshell, Goof Off the Ultimate Stain remover did the trick on all stains but 2. The top now looks great.

thanks newstangownr, I will keep that tip in mind and/or try it on the 2 remaining stains.

KeiserVert · 04-20-2004

Amen to the Goof Off. I took Snowman's suggestion & it got most of the stains out of my stop & really lighten up the remaining stains. HUGE Improvment

snowman23 · 04-27-2004

I'm glad to see it worked for you too KeiserVert.

I also used blue coral leather conditioner (that said it was for use on vinyl too) to condition it and it did seem to "resoften" the top after the cleaning. Now.....any suggestions on "rebrightening" white leather interiors???