convertible owners..
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Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 219
From: Vacaville,Ca
convertible owners..
I just washed the car yesterday and it rained last night!! To make things worse, I have the LARGEST amount of bird crap on my top that I've ever seen on a car. I swear a freakin' Ostritch climbed on my car and just squatted down to do it's buisness. The problem is, it won't come off!! I've tried the pressure washer at the car wash, I tried a scouring brush....no luck. I got most of it off, but there is still slight evidence of it being there. Does anyone know of any tricks to get this off the covertible tops? As long as I'm on the subject, is there any secrets to keeping the top clean. I don't want it looking like most old cars where it's all nasty at the folds.
Thanks for any help
Thanks for any help
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
From: Lousiana
My top is black cloth. I don't know if yours is the vinyl or cloth type but on cloth poo poo stains come off with woolite carpet cleaner. Wash with soap after and try some 3m fabic protectant spray on it after it has dried. It may help future poo poo from getting into the fabric. Good luck.
BTW; I do not soap it every time I wash the car. Just rinse it off. Soaping it can dry the stitching and cause it to fall apart. This happened on my 89 IROC Conv. The top btw was made by ASC also. I wash my top with soap about every 5 carwash. I normally rinse it off and let it dry out in the sun so it tightens up nicely after I have dried the car in the shade first. It only takes about 30 mins. Between washings/rinsings I use a clothes tape roller. It picks up loads of dirt. My top looks new and I have own the car for 9 years.
Jeff D.
BTW; I do not soap it every time I wash the car. Just rinse it off. Soaping it can dry the stitching and cause it to fall apart. This happened on my 89 IROC Conv. The top btw was made by ASC also. I wash my top with soap about every 5 carwash. I normally rinse it off and let it dry out in the sun so it tightens up nicely after I have dried the car in the shade first. It only takes about 30 mins. Between washings/rinsings I use a clothes tape roller. It picks up loads of dirt. My top looks new and I have own the car for 9 years.
Jeff D.
Last edited by PoorMan; Mar 26, 2003 at 10:47 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 241
From: Orlando, FL
The 4th Gen cars are Stayfast tops made by Haartz Corp. Here are their recomendations on how to care for the top from their website:
http://www.haartz.com/Consumer_Info/..._Main_Page.htm
I have used the Raggtop Cleaner and Protectant and it does as promised.
Just some trivia.... Our tops are made with the exact same top material used on the RR Bentley Azure and the Lotus Elise, just to name a few...
http://www.haartz.com/Consumer_Info/..._Main_Page.htm
Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.
Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.
The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).
Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.
For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.
Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.
For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com
Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.
The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).
Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.
For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.
Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.
For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com
I have used the Raggtop Cleaner and Protectant and it does as promised.
Just some trivia.... Our tops are made with the exact same top material used on the RR Bentley Azure and the Lotus Elise, just to name a few...
Last edited by LaSSt One; Mar 27, 2003 at 12:41 PM.
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