Cleaning a convertible top (white)

[Robert K.]

I put my soft top up for the first time in years and have a brown discolor on it. Any ideas on what to use to clean it. I had heard Ivory soap but it may not handle the stain.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

That is a scary proposition to me. I too have a white top, but seldom put it up here in Florida. The kits available I have seen all caution the need to protect your paint (have not looked for a while). That part scares me.

Stu Fox

[John F.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

You can scrub with soapy water and a soft brush. Or take a little whitewall cleaner and soft brush with a sponge. Do not get whitewll cleaner all over the paint.

[Brian K.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

I've had good luck using Comet cleanser and a scrub brush, I lay towels down on the paint and use a towel to control the amount of water on the top. I'm kind of afraid to get the Comet on the paint , thats why the precautions.

[Edward J.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

Robert, I think John,s post is the best way to approach, I think westleys beach white and a nylon brush, work a small area at a time, then just use a old towel to wipe the area down after scrubing.

[Peter J.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

Here is a thought, I was dating a woman a couple of years ago who owned a late model Mustang with a white convertible top she hadn't driven in a long while and the top had mildew stained and was filthy from sitting under a tree.
So I tried cleaning it with the usually household cleaners and nothing worked until I got the bleach out and diluted it 50/50 with water. That top looked like new without any damage to the top or surrounding paint. Lasted longer than the relationship.

[Matt L.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

i have used softscrub cleaner with bleach and scrub brush. but be careful with non clearcoated paint! and make sure to protect your interior too in case your top leaks. you sure don't want bleach on your interior or any other harsh cleaner.

[Jonathan S.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

Oxyclean-mix with hot water, in spray bottle and soft bristle brush and towel. Will not harm paint or interior. Works like a charm!

[Daniel N.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

I put my soft top up for the first time in years and have a brown discolor on it. Any ideas on what to use to clean it. I had heard Ivory soap but it may not handle the stain.

I just cleaned the white top of my '65 for the first time after buying the car. It was heavily stained and looked more grey than white. I used Meguiars #39 Heavy-Duty Vinyl Cleaner with a medium-soft bristle brush and a sponge. Then I followed this treatment by applying a thorough coat of Lexol Vinylex. It worked beautifully, and the top looks great. I would never use anything as harsh as Comet or Ajax powder. Below is a link to an excellent article on the subject. (I have no connection with Car Care Specialties, except that I often order stuff from them.)

http://store.carcareonline.com/pdfs/convertible_tops.pdf

[Randy R.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

My 67 convertible sat under a cover for many years. When taken out of storage, it had discolored except for lines at the location of the frame bows. I tried a number of different chemicals in a unsuccessful attempt to return the top to the original off white color. Some of the products I tried:
lacquer thinner, Barkeepers Friend, acetone, Comet, bleach, urinal cleaner(phosphoric acid), toilet bowl cleaner, muratic acid, white wall cleaner, windex, trisodium phosphate, RV awining cleaner, a spray to remove mildew from shower walls, navel jelly, rust remover, etc.

Nothing made any difference. Nothing seemed to harm the fabric either. The material is tough.

Good luck,

Randy

[Gary L.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

Try Using Go Joe Hand Cleaner Without The Pumis. Work It In With A Brush And Rinse And Brush It Off And Let Dry. You Can Brush It After Drying Keeping All The Strokes The Same Direction. Lanolin Will Not Hurt Paint.

[Paul J.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

Try Using Go Joe Hand Cleaner Without The Pumis. Work It In With A Brush And Rinse And Brush It Off And Let Dry. You Can Brush It After Drying Keeping All The Strokes The Same Direction. Lanolin Will Not Hurt Paint.

The lanolin may not hurt your paint but the citric acid will take it right off! There are paint removers with citric acid. I once left a spray bottle of household cleaner on the back of my 64 (when it was in storage) Some of the cleaner wicked out of the nozzle and in a couple of hours the paint was dissolved under the drip.

Go Jo makes thier hand cleaners in regular, cherry, orange, and lemon. The orange and lemon definitely have citric acid in it. I don't know about the regular and cherry. One other thing, thier cleaners have titanium dioxide dust in them as an abrasive. This includes the smooth cleaners without pumice.

[Gary L.]

Re: Cleaning a convertible top (white)

This is actually joes hand cleaner and it is not scented. Citric acid probably is not good on paint! thanks for clearing this up.