Soft Top Cleaning

[SixPac]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

The car is now clean for our Savannah trip. Margaret and I stood back and looked at it after all our work.
We came to a conclusion that probably saved us some money. We don't have to replace our PCR soft top with a black soft top. The reason being......Bradford's formula works. We've got some more work to do on it, but it's coming clean, not new look, but clean.

[Gwfl]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Well I finally got around to cleaning my soft top. WOW! I used the formula discussed and let it sit for 30 minute and then rinsed and washed with top cleaner and rinsed again. While wet the darker shadows were still there and I thought this was just a waste of time but when dried WOW. What a difference.

Thanks for posting that formula. Tomorrow I'll put the sealer on.

Gary

[Brad]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

For those of you that have used this method successfully on your light tops, do you think this method could also help on a black top with discolored areas?

I'm wondering if the spots I thought were wear are actually mildew

[Bradford]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I would definately try a test area first on a black top. First time I tried this, I tested on the strip below the rear window, that way if it did discolor, it was limited to a isolated area.

[EldoradoBird]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

first off the car must be garage kept you need ventilation.

[archiea]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

thanks for these great tips! What brand bleach do you guys use? Thanks again!

[bayfeet]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Ditto on the formula, it works great! Super post!

[Guest]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

For those of you that have used this method successfully on your light tops, do you think this method could also help on a black top with discolored areas?

I'm wondering if the spots I thought were wear are actually mildew

Brad, I have the same problem as you with my black top. Did you try this method yet? If so, any success? thanks...Mark

[EmpTNest]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Brad, which sealant do you recommend?

Thanks,
Tim

[Bradford]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I like and use 303 Protectant. I like it's liquid spray formula better than Raggtops aresol can. I can get a good coverage with it and it beads water like crazy. I'm sure there are others that prefer Raggtops, you will probably end up trying both at some time and determine which one you like best.

[MidNiteRiders]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I use 303 (Fabric) which Ebird recommended. It works very well and I also like the spray vs. Raggtops aerosol. We just replaced our hot tub and they recommended we use the 303 (vinyl) for the cover citing the UV protection.

[EmpTNest]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Brad and Mark

Thanks for the info. I will give the 303 a try , as soon as I do the bleach treatment.

I recently developed a small leak in the roof of my garage. Murphy's Law placed it directly above my Tbird, of course. It dried without any apparent problem the first couple of times. But now a stain is forming. My guess is that it is the mildew described herein.

I have since moved the Bird to another slot in the garage, but the damage is done to the top. I'm glad I found the solution....

If it ever quits raining, I may even get around to fixing Mr Murphy's leak in my shingles....

[Dizzbe]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Okay - I finally got around to cleaning my soft top. It was really messed up after the wildfires last year. The soot would just lay on the fabric and then when I'd drop the top, it was worked into the fibers. I had tried to clean it with no luck. So this week, I used raggtop first. Did that twice, and was getting some results. So I went ahead and used the bleach mixture. It took a few applications, but the top dry does look much better. The marks aren't bad when dry, although they still do show up when wet. The difference in mine though is that it isn't from mildew. The soot is just in deep.

I didn't even take it out during the fire this week, and now that it's clean - I'm getting the protection spray on it. Live and learn!

[My Raven]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Lord, maybe I will just leave the hardtop on ...

[Lonestar]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Okay - I finally got around to cleaning my soft top. It was really messed up after the wildfires last year. The soot would just lay on the fabric and then when I'd drop the top, it was worked into the fibers. I had tried to clean it with no luck. So this week, I used raggtop first. Did that twice, and was getting some results. So I went ahead and used the bleach mixture. It took a few applications, but the top dry does look much better. The marks aren't bad when dry, although they still do show up when wet. The difference in mine though is that it isn't from mildew. The soot is just in deep.

I didn't even take it out during the fire this week, and now that it's clean - I'm getting the protection spray on it. Live and learn!

Here is a trick for you Dazzle.... when the top is wet (saturated) use a good / strong shop vac and vacuum the creases. That, hopefully, will draw the dirt from the fabric.