Soft Top Cleaning

[Leroy]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

My top is Black so I don't see any stains. Just a little bird poop sometimes. I just run the car through the car wash. The soap and brushes clean it real good and the spray-on wax seems to condition the fabric and keep it water proof and new looking.

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[Flying Past]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Thread bump.

In the end, did anybody with a black soft top use the RaggTopp/bleach recipe on their car? If yes, what were the results?

My black top is a little bit grubby with brown grime in the areas of the creases, even after a professional cleaning. (The previous owner(s) must have never used the boot when the top was down.) The grime smells of mold/mildew so it must be really old and deep down in the weave.

I'm hoping the cleaner/bleach recipe has been shown to work safely on black tops.

[Howlandd]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

On this last page I see two members running their birds through brush style car washes and liking the results. I wondered about using a car was with the soft top up and now I know. My soft top is not in bad shape but I will be running the car through the car wash now. THANKS Leroy and Thomas44 - - - - - -

[bostewart]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

If it comes clean, and you don't get it all it will grow right back. However once clean don't ever put the top down while its damp at all. I'm using the bleach treatment soon. I've been fighting mold since I bought the car. Whoever had it before me must have put it away wet. I was the second owner. I took the car without putting the top up. It was poring down with the hard top on it. Devastating mistake. My sand top was black. The auto sales guy was tough luck. It was all I could do not to go insane on him. So just a note from your old uncle Bo, if your gonna buy one check the top, get it wet and look it over for dark areas.

[Brad]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

On this last page I see two members running their birds through brush style car washes and liking the results. I wondered about using a car was with the soft top up and now I know. My soft top is not in bad shape but I will be running the car through the car wash now. THANKS Leroy and Thomas44 - - - - - -

If there is a high pressure blower at the end of the car wash, be careful with the back glass on the soft top. I reach back and support it with my hand, otherwise it would flop back and forth like crazy from the high pressure.

[Redwingedblackbird]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

http://blackmold.awardspace.com/kill-remove-mold.html

Here is an excellent source on mold removal. Bleach is not the be all end all in mold remediation as the actual bleach can not be absorbed into porous material(who knew?).

It appears vinegar or hydrogen peroxide would be the better products to use. I would probably lean toward the natural vinegar.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I wonder how this would do. No bleach, ph neutral, recommended for all outdoor surfaces including awnings.

http://www.wetandforget.com/product_...t_outdoor.html

[bostewart]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I honestly don't know yet if it works but a month ago I bought this for my concrete deck,around the pool where black mold,was,growing under something. The idea came to me and the wife that it just might work so if it ever gets,nice again here in md I'm going to try it. I got to big jugs of it at Costco. I figure if it works great if not I'm going to replace the canvas in the spring.

[bostewart]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

If there is a high pressure blower at the end of the car wash, be careful with the back glass on the soft top. I reach back and support it with my hand, otherwise it would flop back and forth like crazy from the high pressure.

I,run mine thru the car wash regularly. It does not help,with deep black mold. You will,see it when it's wet. But dry it looks great.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Don't expect instant results from Wet and Forget. You spray it on and leave it alone. Wind and rain are supposed to do the rest over time.

[bostewart]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

Well lately it's been nothing but wet here so I may go soak it tomorrow if is not to cold.

[Rondor]

Re: Soft Top Cleaning

I think leaving the top done for long periods, like when H T is on shortens the life of fabric and allows dirt to penetrate more.