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Clean and Protect Soft Top?

What do you use to clean and protect the soft top? I have heard 303 Fabric Guard is the best stuff. Any tips for cleaning the bird poop off??

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Old 04-15-2010, 02:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Clean and Protect Soft Top?

What do you use to clean and protect the soft top? I have heard 303 Fabric Guard is the best stuff.

Any tips for cleaning the bird poop off??
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Old 04-15-2010, 09:13 PM   #2 (permalink)
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I would avoid putting anything but water on it as long as it beads water. I've owned many canvas-topped cars and none was as water-proofed as this one came from the factory. Anything you used to clean it would just remove the water-proofing that's on there. So, Enjoy near maintenance-free ownership while it lasts. A little water should remove anything that gets on it.

I wet mine down and drag a lint-free microfiber towl across it and it dries immediately. In fact, I can usually fold the top as soon as I dry it and finish drying the rest of the car with the top folded. This top sheds water faster than any I've ever owned.
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Old 04-22-2010, 12:40 PM   #3 (permalink)
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There's a great product called Raggtopp. You can find it at autogeek.com. In the kit is the cleaner and then a protectant. They clean a fabric top with a horsehair brush which you can buy separately. My new 370Z roadster is not beading water-so I am going to Raggtopp it. lol
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Old 04-22-2010, 05:34 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Dee View Post
There's a great product called Raggtopp. You can find it at autogeek.com. In the kit is the cleaner and then a protectant. They clean a fabric top with a horsehair brush which you can buy separately. My new 370Z roadster is not beading water-so I am going to Raggtopp it. lol
Hi Sandra Dee,

Let us know what kind of results you get from using Ragg Topp cleaner and protectant. Does it work as advertised?

Thank you,

spryor
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Old 04-22-2010, 07:23 PM   #5 (permalink)
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IMine doesn't seem to bead water but it doesn't leak or come through at all either. But I am still waiting to hear any reviews of teh 303 ona Z. People with BMWs seem to love it on Amazon.
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Old 04-23-2010, 08:42 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by spryor View Post
Hi Sandra Dee,

Let us know what kind of results you get from using Ragg Topp cleaner and protectant. Does it work as advertised?

Thank you,

spryor
will do Spryor ! It should come today and since we are going to have thunderstorms this weekend here in the Southeast I will get crackin as soon as it arrives. I could not find it at Advance Auto parts or any stores-just online.
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Old 04-26-2010, 08:13 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Applied the Raggtopp protectant which is labeled as a parafin based product. Goes on easy, but required some cleanup on windows & surrounding paint. Beading during rains was restored but if it's heavy rain, forgettaboutit! One other note is that it needs heat to "set".
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Old 04-26-2010, 09:00 PM   #8 (permalink)
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@ xTIMMYxCOREx, Ishtim and Sandra Dee. I wonder why your water protection wore off so quickly ... Mine more or less beads like the day I bought it. Even driving every day It should be good for longer than a few months ...
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Old 04-27-2010, 09:07 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spryor View Post
Hi Sandra Dee,

Let us know what kind of results you get from using Ragg Topp cleaner and protectant. Does it work as advertised?

Thank you,

spryor
RAGGTOPP did very well-they reccommend a brush (horsehair) to clean with first-I used a new one but a few of the hairs came out on the fabric. I had to use a lint roller to get them off once dry before I applied the protectant. The protectant dried after two coats and the fabric looks great! I would use these products again.
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Old 04-27-2010, 09:10 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaggeron View Post
@ xTIMMYxCOREx, Ishtim and Sandra Dee. I wonder why your water protection wore off so quickly ... Mine more or less beads like the day I bought it. Even driving every day It should be good for longer than a few months ...
not sure Zaggeron-but when it did not bead in the rain I was concerned. I never washed the top or anything to take the sealant off....I think the roadster I bought was on the lot for awhile-economy bad all around but in NC it is really bad...many lost jobs. No one buying sports cars much....
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Old 04-27-2010, 01:09 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Dee View Post
RAGGTOPP did very well-they reccommend a brush (horsehair) to clean with first-I used a new one but a few of the hairs came out on the fabric. I had to use a lint roller to get them off once dry before I applied the protectant. The protectant dried after two coats and the fabric looks great! I would use these products again.
Hi Sandra Dee,

I am glad that you had a chance to evaluate RAGGTOPP and received good results!

I special ordered my 370z touring roadster on February 1st and should be receiving it within the next two to three weeks. I think that I will go ahead and invest in this product so that I can preserve my fabric top in the years to come.

Thank you for remembering and letting me know how things turned out.

spryor
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Old 04-27-2010, 02:17 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spryor View Post
Hi Sandra Dee,

I am glad that you had a chance to evaluate RAGGTOPP and received good results!

I special ordered my 370z touring roadster on February 1st and should be receiving it within the next two to three weeks. I think that I will go ahead and invest in this product so that I can preserve my fabric top in the years to come.

Thank you for remembering and letting me know how things turned out.

spryor
Hi Spryor! again...
You will have a blast in your new car. What color/options did you order?
BTW-i ordered the Raggtopp from Autogeek.com-they also carry numerous waxes and polishes,sealants-whatever you need. I ordered the Wolfgang kit to wash and polish, seal the paint. That was an easy kit to use too-came with microfiber towels and polish applicators, sealant applicators. Not sure if you had a source where you get your detail supplies. I know there are a few websites as well rec on this forum for supplies.

You are smart to be thinking proactively like a lot of folks do here!
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Old 04-27-2010, 07:17 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Dee View Post
Hi Spryor! again...
You will have a blast in your new car. What color/options did you order?
BTW-i ordered the Raggtopp from Autogeek.com-they also carry numerous waxes and polishes,sealants-whatever you need. I ordered the Wolfgang kit to wash and polish, seal the paint. That was an easy kit to use too-came with microfiber towels and polish applicators, sealant applicators. Not sure if you had a source where you get your detail supplies. I know there are a few websites as well rec on this forum for supplies.

You are smart to be thinking proactively like a lot of folks do here!
Hi Sandra Dee,

I ordered my vehicle in pearl white with the following options:
  • 7-speed automatic transmission
  • Bordeaux (wine) colored fabric top
  • Carpeted front floor mats
  • Carpeted trunk mats
  • Illuminated door sill kick plates
  • Navigation system
  • Splash guards, and
  • Sport package
As far as maintaining the vehicle, I have settled on three brands mainly Meguiars Gold Class for the exterior/interior, Griot's garage for the wheel/tires, and now Raggtopp for the fabric top. I have a lot of experience using Meguiars and feel quite comfortable with their products and always receive very good results. As far as polishing and waxing cloths, I pretty much use a variety of brands such as AutoZone, Meguiars, etc.

You are very helpful and thank you for the recommendations.

Samuel
(spryor)
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Old 04-27-2010, 10:15 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Have you tried the NXT 2.0 by Meguiar's. I recently switched from gold class to NXT. I've got a lighter color like yours (platinum graphite) and I didn't really see any difference between the gold class and the NXT, but the NXT will last longer.
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Old 04-27-2010, 11:23 PM   #15 (permalink)
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you guys are right about the BMW guys loving Raggtopp. I used to hear about that stuff all the time when I owned BMW convertibles. I never needed it, though. The people using it back then had 6+ year old cars.

Something else they turned me onto is Zaino paint care stuff. Zaino is a bit pricey, but worth it. It will definitely outshine and outlast over-the-counter waxes and polishes. Coats of it build up for better protection and it's rated at over 99% optically perfect, meaning it's clear and free of color distortion. It makes a deep, rich shine that lasts for months. A must-have in my opinion.
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