Vinyal Top Protectant/Preservative

[70NEWYORKER]

What are you folks using on your tops to keep them glossy and also protect them from the sun and weather? I tried Amor-All years ago. Looked Great...got caught in the rain and ended up with an oily sheen all over the paint and glass. It washed off without damaging anything but really pissed me off. My top still looks really good because the car spends 95% of the time in the garage. I'd like to find something to use on it without risking damage to the paint and glass, or causing the top to degrade.
Thanks

 

[CanCritter]

same...

 

[3C's & a D?]

Thoroughly clean and dry the car. Prepare the roof with Spray Nine cleaner/degreaser. Followed by a liberal application of formula 303 aerospace protectorant? Something to that effect, it's high tech stuff. Not cheap but worth it, and yeah, it's gonna bleed the first couple of times you get caught in the rain. You clean the body (paint), spray the roof lightly however don't clean or rub the roof while wet. Buff once dry. I was given this advice from the proud owner of a '69 GTX. She steered me right, and I hope to shed the light.

 

[jollyjoker]

I'd also like to find a good "modern" product. I've tried a bunch of the new (apparently silicone-based) products, and have hated them all - they just don't seem to give the right gloss. Right now, I'm nursing an old can of Turtle Wax Vinyl Top Wax . . . and scouring the swap meets and yard sales for more!

 

[Big_John]

Another vote for 303 Aerospace Protectant. I've been using it for years. Armor-all is pretty much crap.



I like their cleaner too. I use both products on my convertible top and never have it run off in the rain or when washing the car.

 

[Buster Hyman]

What I like about the aerospace is that it doesn't attract dirt and dust seems to leave a dry hard finish.
Works great on the clear vinyl windows on some convertable tops.I get mine at a boat dealer by the house. Also the shine is not that high,looks more natural.

 

[rexus31]

I use this on my convertible top and have been very happy with it. I'm not sure about runoff in the rain/washing the car because I don't drive it in the rain or use water to clean it.

www.raggtopp.com

 

[MarPar]

I use Lexol. Leaves a nice sheen and does not build up or wash off.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

I like their cleaner too. I use both products on my convertible top and never have it run off in the rain or when washing the car.

Is your conv top a white vinyl??? if not has anyone used it on a white vinyl top?

 

[Big_John]

Is your conv top a white vinyl??? if not has anyone used it on a white vinyl top?

Mine is tan.

 

[1978 NYB]

Call one of the vinyl top guys (SMS) and ask them what product they recommend for vinyl.

 

[70NEWYORKER]

I'm going to give the Lexol a shot. I can find it locally, instead of having something shipped.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try to remember to update this in a few weeks.

 

[barnfind]

303 on my shelf, I pick it up at the local boat store.

 

[The Captain]

1970s floor wax lol

 

[CBODY67]

Tried ArmorAll when that was the "hot trick" in the middle 1970s. Too shiny. Same issues in the rain, too.

Later went to the STP Son-of-A-Gun competing product. Nice satin sheen. No issues with rain. Kept the tops soft (my '70 DH43N0D and my '67 CE23). More pleased with it than the AA product.

In asking around, back then, many "in the know" said "No ArmorAll, just soap and water". But back then, it was too soon for any real exposure issues to have started to happen. Used a sponge to apply, towel to buff after it'd sat for a while.

The original tops had thicker vinyl sections than the replacements do, similar with the backing. Unless you put them side by side, you might not notice it.

Not really sure what I might use on a replacement top, but it'll have to be easy to apply, look "right", and might need more than one application/year (at least until it got "stabilized" with the protectant). Not to that stage just yet.

CBODY67

 

[CBODY67]

1970s floor wax lol

I remember the Vinyl Top Wax. Came with a can top that was the sponge applicator. I tried the old J&J paste floor wax on my '70 Monaco. Waaayy too hard to apply, much less buff off! It MIGHT apply and buff reasonably well on a 100 degree day when it was a slight bit more soft. No advantage over other "car" products! "Hard to apply" didn't mean "Harder to wear off".

CBODY67

 

[rapidtrans]

1970s floor wax lol[/QUOTE

That's no joke.
Amway floor polish worked great on vinyl tops. A little too slippery for seats and shiney on dash pad though!

Fixed!

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

I still use liquid floor wax. I also use it on the vinyl hot tub cover. If you let the rain sit on the vinyl it will turn white but go back to normal as it dries. I'm trying a special made for convertible roof protectant product because it is more porous and it flexes.

 

[Big_John]

I remember the Vinyl Top Wax. Came with a can top that was the sponge applicator.

I remember that stuff. I think it was a Turtle Wax product. It reminded me of black shoe polish...

 

[CBODY67]

And lemon Pledge was supposed to really shine the paint, too! Even reduce light orange peel?

CBODY67