Convertible Top Cleaner

[omw41]

Wal-Mart. Under five dollars. Works great. Get a soft to medium bristle brush Spray the cleaner on a dry top. Wipe it off with a cloth that won't generate lint..an old t shirt will do. You'll get 2 to 3 applications out of a bottle. It helps to unlatch the top so you can get the very edge where it meets the windscreen frame. Make sure the top is good and dry before you put it down. Otherwise, the cleaner will leave residue on your "clear film" on the buttress. Ask me how I know that.

[llllfly]

I use it.
Very good

LLLFLYi

[Carbon Sky]

Is there an MSDS for this thing? I'd be curious as to how it compares to Raggtop and 303 Aerospace's "ingredients".

[llllfly]

They are all great.
My top looks like New.
The big thing is when you use none at all.
LLLFLY

[Carbon Sky]

I've tried both Raggtop and 303 Aerospace now. Both did a lot to "refresh" the top and make the material seem blacker, and less worn. But the 303 Aerospace is SO much more water repellent and lasts SO much longer.

It's definitely more expensive than this stuff is though.

[rob the elder]

Been there, done that

RaggTopp vs. 303

Both work well.

Raggtop is recommended by the manufacturer. I contacted him directly and asked if there was any difference in performance over time between Raggtop and 303. He referenced the specific standardized testing that they do for quality control and said on each occasion when I had an exchange with him that he recommends Raggtop.

I apply it every 6 months and it works great.

If you like 303, use it. Its great too, but since I dont know why the manufacturer only recommends Raggtop based on his in house testing, I will continue to use Raggtop exclusively.

Read the previous thread and make up your own mind. I will wait.

Reproduced for your reading pleasure

I got this response from Haartz

Hi Rob,

Thanks for contacting The Haartz Corporation.

In reply to your inquiry about the RaggTopp Cleaner and Protectant system, Haartz continuously studies the market and internally evaluates various products for performance. The below bullet points are a overview.

• Comparison testing according to proprietary internal Haartz soiling/cleaning methodology has shown Raggtopp to be among the best cleaners on the market.
• RaggTopp protectant has been shown to offer comparable spray rating performance when tested according to AATCC Test Method #22.
o The above has been achieved without the use of silicone in the protectant.
• The formulations of the RaggTopp cleaner and protectant have been shown to have no negative effects upon the long-term durability of the topcover. Both avoid the use of organic solvents that can damage the fabrics and combining layers between.
• RaggTopp cleaner & protectant have also been shown to have no negative effect upon materials adjacent to the convertible top (plastic/glass window, paint, etc.)

I hope that you find this information of value.


Best Regards,
Douglas Haartz
THE HAARTZ CORPORATION


To review the test methodology

http://www.scribd.com/doc/103778990/...ncy-Spray-Test

[SolNut]

Same answers I received from Haartz @ SEMA in '05.

[SkyPilot]

Haartz; the flee killers? Seems like a natural progression in their business paradigm


Sent from my DROID4 using AutoGuide App

[rob the elder]

Originally Posted by SkyPilot Haartz; the flee killers? Seems like a natural progression in their business paradigm Sent from my DROID4 using AutoGuide App

I'm sorry, I have no idea what you are trying to say.

[omw41]

Originally Posted by rob the elder I'm sorry, I have no idea what you are trying to say.

I think he means Hartz-Mountain-the stuff you spray your pets with when they have fleas.

[rob the elder]

Ahhh thanks

Living in Colorado, we dont have pet fleas so no advertisements for same.

I find it interesting how language works. We are talking about convertible tops and zing we are on dogs fleas.s

[omw41]

I wrote to Surf City. Here is their response:

Hi Ed,
Thanks for pointing us to this forum. Feel free to post our response below directly to the forum.
Top End is one of Surf City Garage’s most popular products because it’s a cleaner and protectant all-in-one. So you get Enthusiast Grade® quality and a great deal, because you’re only buying one product instead of two. Like every single one of our Enthusiast Grade products, Top End has an “absolute best” guarantee on every bottle signed by Tim Miller, Founder & CEO of Surf City Garage:
If this product isn’t the best you’ve EVER tried, give me a call and I’ll buy it back.

So we encourage everyone to give Top End a try and then you decide if it’s the best – or we’ll give you your money back.



If anyone has any questions about Top End or any of our products or detailing in general, email us at info@surfcitygarage.com or call us at 714-894-1707.



Also, someone asked about the MSDS sheet for Top End. That can be found at: http://www.surfcitygarage.com/images...ts/Top_End.pdf



Thanks, Ed and let me know if you have any other questions,

Steven

[The_Ghost]

I decided to buy and try 303. Not a fan! The cleaner was fine, it was the conditioner that I have an issue with. I thought I read somewhere not to use a petroleum based product on the cloth top? I can tell you, its a petroleum based product! I followed the instructions, word for word with the conditioner. I did this Sunday morning. It had more then 48 hours to "cure". It rained last night and had NO water repelancy at all!! Furthermore, yesterday when I got in my car, I could smell the petroleum smell inside my vehicle. After the rain last night, I now have oily streaks running down my side windows. If its done that to the windows, I can only image its also done it to the paint. I'm not very pleased with 303!!! Just my $0.02. I will now get off my soapbox.

[TomatoSoup]

Originally Posted by The_Ghost I decided to buy and try 303. Not a fan! The cleaner was fine, it was the conditioner that I have an issue with. I thought I read somewhere not to use a petroleum based product on the cloth top? I can tell you, its a petroleum based product! I followed the instructions, word for word with the conditioner. I did this Sunday morning. It had more then 48 hours to "cure". It rained last night and had NO water repelancy at all!! Furthermore, yesterday when I got in my car, I could smell the petroleum smell inside my vehicle. After the rain last night, I now have oily streaks running down my side windows. If its done that to the windows, I can only image its also done it to the paint. I'm not very pleased with 303!!! Just my $0.02. I will now get off my soapbox.

You did get the correct 303 version, right? 303 fabric guard is what you want for canvas tops - not vinyl or the 303 Aerospace protectant. From what you say, it sounds like you used the wrong stuff.

All I can say is I use the 303 fabric guard for my canvas top and it works beautifully. None of the problems you state and water beads up great with it.

I do use the 303 Aerospace protectant too, but only on my tires

CORRECT:

303 Fabric Convertible Top Kit

303 Fabric Convertible Top Kit

INCORRECT:

303 Vinyl Convertible Top Kit

303 Vinyl Convertible Top Kit

[The_Ghost]

Yep, bought the fabric gaurd kit in the green box. For canvas tops.... Just really disappointing and to see it run down the windows after it rained the way it did... I'm not very happy with it! I will post pics of my windows tonight!