Detailing Your PT: Convertible Top Cleaning

[Candyman]

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our final Segment of the Outside Portion of our Guide to Detailing your PT Like a Pro! In this segment, we will be discussing how to properly Clean and care for Convertible Tops.

The PT soft tops are made of polyacrylic/polyester canvas. This type of material will stain over time, and can become deteriorated at an accelerated rate if it is not cared for. Before we begin, here are a couple of things to remember. Do not use harsh all purpose cleaner to clean your top. It can stain the material, and like leather, can also pull some of the color off of the material. Do not use powder chemicals like A-Jax to clean your top. This will act like sand paper, and can destroy the top in no time at all! With this said, lets do some cleaning!

I recommend you clean your top at least once a month, or more if it is dusty. Do not use "car wash soap" to clean your top. The oils, and gloss enhancing minerals will make your top a virtual dust magnet. . I recommend using Wolfstien's Raggtop Cleaner.It is the only cleaner endorsed by the Heart's Corporation that supplies the tops to Daimler Chrysler. Fill a bucket with water, and approximately 2 ounces of soap. Do not use a cloth, or chennile wash mitt as they will leave lint. Instead, if your top has a lot of bird droppings, or other related staining, use a soft bristle brush to agitate the surface. A good rule of thumb is if you can rub the brush across the back of your hand without scratching the skin, then it is safe to use on your top. After washing, follow up with a thorough rinse with clean cool water. To dry, use a clean microfiber towel, or synthetic chamois. Rather than wiping the water off, blot the water up with the rag or chamois. Do not use terry cloth, or a diaper as they will leave lint.

Sooner, or later you will run across a stain that won't come out. Weather it is bird droppings, or tree sap, or some other related type of contaminant, the first natural thing to do is to scrub it till it comes out. This will only spread the material around, and will create an even bigger mess. Instead, keep a spray bottle with some of the Raggtop Cleaner used full strength.. Spray the spot, and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it dry, as it will leave a stain. Follow by a thorough rinse with clean cool water, and then proceed to wash the entire top as outlined above.

Now that your top is clean, lets move on to protection. I am also going to recommend using Wolfstein's Raggtop Protectant for this process. It is not expensive, and is the only protectant endorsed by Heart's Corporation. This material is a spray, like scotchgaurd, and it will leave a messy film on your paint, that is difficult to clean up, so I recommend taking a few minutes to mask off your paint, and windows prior to using this product. Simply use cheep masking tape, and some old newspaper. Mask around the bottom of your paint as to not get overspray on the paint. Then lift the front of the top slightly and place newspaper between the top, and the windshield. Repeat with the side windows to finish the masking process.

Shake up the can of protectant for approximately 30 - 60 seconds before use. Start in the middle of the top on one side, holding the can between 7" - 9" from the surface, work toward the body line in smooth back, and forth sprays, releasing your finger at the end of each pass. Proceed until the top is completely covered. I recommend you follow up with a second coat of protection, and a third coat on the surface around all seams. Allow the protectant to set up for approximately 30 minutes, and you are good to go.

Remove the masking material, and check for overspray on your paint, and windows. If any overspray present, a little wax on a clean microfiber towel should remove it easily.

I hope you enjoy my Tutorial's, and thank you very much for reading my Guide to Automotive Detailing! Till next time, take it easy, and we will see you a little further down the road!

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Or check out our Meguiar's Inside man and Custom PT Owner Michael Stoops for the latest deals on all your Detailing Chemical questions, or needs and be sure to tell them the Candyman sent you!

Michael Stoops
Surface Care Specialist
Meguiar's Inc.
(800) 347-5700 xt 175
mstoops@meguiars.com

Candyman

[Candyman]

Reposting in correct order