Cleaning Top
 

Any suggestions to cleaning the top?

Black Cherry 6mt sport nav 510 miles - still grinning

303 fabric cleaner and the 303 protectant. Ragtop is also good.

And never take your vert through a high pressure car wash!!! I use the Ragtop kit. Does a great job.

I agree. Raggtopp is the way to go. There is a good video on using it: How to Clean & Protect your Fabric or Vinyl Convertible Top with OEM Approved RAGGTOPP - YouTube

I decided on the 303 fabric cleaner and the 303 protectant, and followed the directions to the letter. After a good cleaning with 303 cleaner, I applied three coats, and the water didn't just form into a bunch of bubbles and roll off, it sheeted off! It was like I was pouring water over a piece of glass.

I was very satisfied and impressed. However, it was quite a bit of work. I had to cover the whole car to protect the paint, and also covered and masked off the windows. That may be more work than someone may want to do.

With the Ragtop, they say that you can get it on the paint and glass, and it just wipes off. Don't know, never used it. But I can see how, when using Rag top, you can just give the top a spray every once in a while to keep it waterproofed, which seems like the easiest way out.

I like the 303 because it's petroleum based, and as it evaporated, the product really bonds to the fibers. I can see where it won't need re-treating for maybe three years, maybe longer, but only time will tell.

But then again, I treat my Roadster like it was a museum piece, and want only the best for her. Given these tops are the part of the 370Z that seem to be at the most risk of damage, my choice is to do all I can to care for it in the best way possible.

I am not knocking Ragtop, after I researched both products, I just prefer the the way the 303 products work.

Either way, it's good that you are concerned about taking care of the top, I've seen other vert's that have been neglected and they look it.

Oh, I re-read your post and all you are asking is how to CLEAN the top. At the low miles your Z has on it, it should still be waterproofed. I would just hose the top off. The owners manual says to use a sponge and just water, and lightly move the sponge over the top. If you have bird droppings on it, you need to get that off ASAP. If you use car wash soap, you'll start removing the factory protectant. As long as the water is beading up, it's waterproofed, it's when you start to see that the water looks like it's being absorbed by the fabric that you need to clean and waterproof. But look it up in the owners manual before you do anything. And as previously said, do not put it through a car wash. Of course, if you choose to, it's your car, but the owners manual says not to.

Thanks for the input. Yes it doesn't need cleaning yet, but was just looking for the future..

Are these cloth tops ?

Yes.

I've used this for quite some time. It works miracles and it's simple. No need for a ton of other products.

Ok this is my first vert and I made the mistake of taking my vert through a touch free carwash. Learned my lesson really quick. Does anyone think that I damaged the top at all

You should be OK, as long as there is no "visible" damage. I would treat the top with RaggTopp or 303 from a preventative standpoint. I prefer "303 Products 30651 High Tech Fabric Guard with Water Repellant" with brush application for my top. Youtube is your friend.:tup:

I also have been using 303 with good results.

It is good to see the options. I will probably start with RaggTopp and see how it does.

I used the 303 per instructions on the bottle (didn't apply using a paintbrush as suggested on here) and it made NO improvement. Not a single bead of water on the top at the next rainstorm. Applied liberally to a clean, dry top, then parked in the sun for a few hours to "cure". On another forum I read a similar complaint so I'll contact the company. Maybe a bad batch?? Of course, now El Nino has started up out here so It'll be a while for a clean dry top again. :shakes head:

Not sure, did you use the 303 protectant, too? I used the 303 cleaner, waited for it to dry, then used the 303 protectant. Beads like crazy! Just checking because 303 makes a lot of different products.

Ya, I used the Fabric protector. I didn't use their brand for cleaning. And there's hardly any liquid left in the bottle, so I know I sprayed pretty heavy. I sent the mfg an email and will post how they respond.

A rep from Gold Eagle (maker of 303) contacted me right away, apologized for the issue and sent me a new 32 oz bottle to try again. I told him I would buy their cleaner product and try again. Super customer service for sure.

Weird. I use the 303 Fabric Protector every 4-5 month and it beads up like crazy, but diminishes during long rains. Paint brush method and use about 2/3 bottle each dose.

Might be a little off topic but what material is the top made of?

used raggtop cleaner and sealant 1x year on porsche, excellent

Pretty sure it is canvas. It's not the vinyl, shiny material used on the 350Z roadster.

I've had great results with the 303 fabric protector. It beads water like crazy.

This is the one I used:

Amazon.com: 303 82043306066 (30606) Fabric Guard Trigger Sprayer, 32 fl. oz.: Automotive

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1000_.jpg

Porsche uses a high grade canvas from Hartz, they recommend Raggtop, used it for years, excellent....I do use 303 protectant on the Z, tires, interior, rubber moldings,etc.

I just did the first major cleaning of mine & used Raggtopp. It came out really good & was a very easy task.

Dan

The first step in cleaning is always to vacuum the top. Most often, this is the only cleaning needed. When washing, I use commercial convertible top cleaner, like Meguirer's, using a brush with long, soft bristles. Once dry, I apply a water proofer like those mentioned in prior posts. I do this once per season. (In Iowa, that's April through October.)

what about cleaning inside guys, i noticed some white sort of stuff in mine want to clean that up.... and yeh no jokes :D

Welll... I assume to clean all that "Rocket Sauce" inside your roof, you would follow the same process as if you were cleaning the outside...although I would suggest looking into a special cleaner that works well removing jizz

Reading through the thread I'm seeing several products and would like some advice on which to get, cost of the product is irrelevant as a new top is much, much more and I'd rather invest in maintaining it than have to replace it:


Meguiar's G2016 Convertible Top Cleaner - 16 oz
- vs -
303 (30207) Multi-Surface Cleaner Trigger Sprayer, 32 Fl. oz



303 (30606) Fabric Guard Trigger Sprayer, 32 fl. oz.
- vs -
303 (30313-CSR) Aerospace Protectant Trigger Sprayer, 32 Fl. oz.
Not recommended for canvas/fabric


Also found this video, not sure about using a pressure washer, seems like a bad idea:
How to clean and protect your car's fabric convertible top by Auto Obsessed

I used 303 Fabric Guard and it worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/303-30606-Fabr...av_hcs_bia_t_1

I would not use a power washer on a fabric top, but I'm pretty anal about cleaning it. I also never use auto car washes. I hand wash and use a soft bristle (horse hair) brush to work up a lather and then rinse. I also use a lint roller after the top is dry to get any horse hairs or fuzzies that may have stuck around.

I've had no problem with Raggtopp, both cleaner & protectant.

I agree don't use a power washer on the top & blot it instead of wiping to dry the top.

I use 303, many use Raggtopp. I don't see how you can go wrong with either. I picked 303 products because that's what a store I've shopped at for automotive stuff in the past had. I can't honestly say it's better than Raggtopp, it was mostly chance. It works. I like it. Good enough for me.

I apply protectant with a paint brush to get a very thorough and controlled application. Less hand cramping is a plus.

I can't imagine Meguiars making anything bad, but I use 303 cleaner and a large soft synthetic bristle brush. Light rinsing with low pressure to get the soap off. Absolutely no high pressure anything ever.

I agree with OldGuyFla, blot, don't wipe. The fabric part of the top is over $1k just to buy. I'm gonna' guess half that to have someone who knows what they're doing install it. That fairly screams hands (mostly) off to me.

Somehow missed the post by @Rochdale and will stay with 303 cleaner to be sure there isn't any adverse chemical reaction taking place. Thank you for the advice on that.

I'm thinking of a horsehair brush as recommended by @GOBLUE,
Chemical Guys ACC_S94 Convertible Top Horse Hair Cleaning Brush
and probably 3 coats like @Hi-Step'n370Z did. It's cheap insurance while it's all masked up.

Where do you get the thin plastic sheets?

I only masked when I treated the top the first time. Since that time I've used a cheap (not foam rubber) paintbrush and applied the treatment with that. It takes more chemical, but it's much more thorough and has no overspray.

There can be some dripping/runs, but that is easily cleaned up with no resultant problems. I just keep a rag in my pocket and if there's a run, I wipe it up (Usually literally - up, that is, since it's almost always on a side window.) immediately. I find that being careful at the edges reduces that need greatly. I open the top slightly to do the back edge.

I go over the top twice, and do that twice a season - spring and fall. I usually go through about three bottles of protectant a season. At least a full bottle each time.

I've used this method seven times now, with no problems at all. Until the fabric gets fully soaked, which is going to happen no matter what is used, it beads like it's waxed.

Thanks for all the info! It pointed the correct direction to head in order to really nail down how to do the job the right way and extend the convertible top life.

As suggested, a brush does seem to be the best method regarding application on these small tops (vs. a roller on a large canvas boat top) for direct protectent placement and not breathing in the mist--that makes so much more sense than trying to spray it on.

The material used on the Nissan Z top is Stayfast C, the facing is woven solution-dyed acrylic, which is used in most every quality "canvas" top.

If the material does need to be replaced at some point, perhaps Sonnenland A5B/DS would be a better choice to cut down on road noise. Stayfast C is what I would class an upper-quality product (better than most anything on the market), and in that class it's on the lower end of what Haartz makes. You can see this when comparing Sonnenland and Stayfast weaves and overall appearance; Stayfast looks great, Sonnenland looks incredible.

The manufacturer suggests using RAGGTOPP™. Reportedly, they recommended 303 for 20 years until changing to RAGGTOPP in the last three years or so.

Glen Raven makes similar acrylic fabric used in outdoor awnings and marine applications such as boat tops, and recommends 303® Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics.

Both products should therefore work well, the question is which works better. This isn't so much OCD as it is wanting to get the most protection for the effort invested. Regarding waterproofing, 303 Fabric Guard beats RAGGTOPP convincingly in every aspect. If the material is properly cleaned and the products brushed on, both do well, but there is almost no argument on the Internet regarding direct comparisons--303 simply works better and lasts longer. As noted though, 303 requires more preperation, which could be why Haartz now suggests RAGGTOPP.

The more important concern is UV protection, as the sun will destroy the waterproofing and material if there isn't excellent UV protection. While RAGGTOPP claims it's UV protection is far superior to 303 (according to reports by people who've spoken to the company), real-world testing is generally more reliable. Boat owners are a reliable group, since their "canvas" protects other things from UV, and their boats sit in salt mist in all sorts of climates, but generally "mostly sunny," and boating is expensive and a lot of maintenance as is so they look to make things last. They like 303. (Boat owners also detail why ScotchGuard is not recommended.)

It seems people use 303 Aerospace protectant for seals, weatherstripping, dashes and panels, and other rubber/vinyl stuff.

Found light plastic for the first time out, but will probably cut open a few garbage bags instead as the product isn't being sprayed. I'll tape it off with Scotch 46338 233+ 36 mm on the round areas and 3M 06654 36 mm Automotive Refinish Masking Tape on the straights. My choice in using 303 is gallon sizes are available, it works better, and I don't mind the extra cost or labor of keeping it off the paint as I'd want to do that with RAGGTOPP also. Both products seem to be "the best" with minor differences.


The following quote lays out the very important prep work, although as @270six suggested, vacuum first with a soft brush in small, circular strokes and high-suction vacuum.
Edit: Found TRM Manufacturing HD12 Weatherall Painter's Plastic 0.31 Mil Clear Hi Density Sheeting, 1 Box of 400 Feet Long by 12 Feet Wide

Yes it seems that 303 & raggtopp are the 2 main products. From my research after getting the roadster it seemed to me that the consensus was that 303 would last longer & raggtopp was much easier to apply. Both pretty good UV protection. At the time I wasn't wanting to mask off everything so I went with raggtopp.

I read complaints (on the Interweb) about 303's parent company not returning e-mails or phone calls. I log 5 hours. Darn good in my book.

---

Sent: Wednesday, June 1
To: 303 Marketing

Wondering which is better for a car's black convertible top in Wisconsin, the "canvas" is actually woven solution-dyed acrylic which is what most high-end car/boat tops and outdoor awnings are made from.

303 Marine & Recreation Fabric Guard
- or -
303 Fabric Guard

or a different product.

Thanks,
Hedge

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Hello WI Hedgehog,

Thank you for contacting Gold Eagle Co. 303® Marine & Recreational Fabric Guard and 303® Fabric Guard are the same product with different labels. The label may vary depending on the market in which it is bought (automotive, marine, patio, etc.). The features, benefits and mode of applications remain the same.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Sales & Marketing Support Specialist
Gold Eagle Company
1-800-367-3245