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#521466 - 07/05/08 11:13 PM Recommended cleaner for vinyl top?
bill pritchett Offline
Member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 110
i have a 66 Mustang with the original vinyl top. Can anyone recommend a cleaner for it.
Thanks,
Bill

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#521506 - 07/06/08 08:54 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: bill pritchett]
Roger Walling Offline
Member

Registered: 11/17/04
Posts: 407
What ever you do, DO NOT put a sealer on it!!!
I noticed that my top that was about 8 years old looked a little dull so I sealed it. Within 2 years I had to replace it due to cracking.
I told the top shop about sealing it and they said that is why it cracked. He said they get a lot of jobs from people sealing their tops.


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#521586 - 07/06/08 05:17 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Roger Walling]
Bill_Haegele Offline
Member

Registered: 02/19/08
Posts: 183
Loc: Virginia
I use Raggtopp (sp?) cleaner and conditioner (two separate spray bottles) on my vinyl convertible top. It does a nice job and should work on regular vinyl tops too.
_________________________
Bill Haegele
The "RED" 1964 Galaxie
http://www.bills1964galaxie500.com
Northern Virginia Car Club Council
http://www.novaccc.org
Bull Run Region AACA
http://local.aaca.org/bullrun/

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#521588 - 07/06/08 05:30 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Bill_Haegele]
Reatta Man Offline
Member

Registered: 09/25/00
Posts: 1900
Loc: San Antonio, TX USA
Bill,

I've had very good luck with Simple Green and Greased Lightning on vinyl. For a top that old, try Simple Green first, I think it is gentler than GL.

Be sure and do it in the shade; some cleaners can instantly discolor vinyl if the material is hot or in direct sunlight.

Joe
_________________________
BCA #35668
Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.
- Peter Drucker



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#521659 - 07/06/08 09:46 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: bill pritchett]
bill pritchett Offline
Member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 110
Thanks for the recommendations.

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#521743 - 07/07/08 10:28 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Bill_Haegele]
Ron Green Offline
Member

Registered: 05/24/00
Posts: 1940
Loc: Camp Hill, PA. USA
Originally Posted By: Bill_Haegele
I use Raggtopp (sp?) cleaner and conditioner (two separate spray bottles) on my vinyl convertible top. It does a nice job and should work on regular vinyl tops too.


Me too good stuff and can also be purchased through Bill Hirsch.
_________________________
Ron Green

AACA Member #337715
AACA Gettysburg Region (board member)
President Amphicar Club (IAOC)

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#521830 - 07/07/08 04:36 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Ron Green]
bkazmer Offline
Member

Registered: 07/20/04
Posts: 604
I strongly recommend you do NOT use Simple Green. If it's wiped on and off, probably no harm, but in the contact testing that automotive plastics require (including vinyls) it is capable of leaving a mark on many of them. I have no axe to grind about this company, but the lab tests have been consistent.

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#521840 - 07/07/08 05:11 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: bkazmer]
Shop Rat Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 10/17/04
Posts: 3685
Loc: St. Albans, W. Va.
Thanks for the warning. We have, use and like Simple Green for lots of applications. But there are times when it or other products, good as they may be, are not the correct product for the job at hand.
_________________________
Susan W. Linden

AACA
Mercedes Benz Club
Secret Santa Foundation, Inc.

__________________________________________________

Remember...pillage first, THEN burn.

Madness takes it's toll. Please have exact change.

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#521859 - 07/07/08 07:05 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Shop Rat]
The Old Guy Offline
Member

Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 2137
Loc: Swartz Creek MI. U.S.A .
I was told by an upholstery shop that Lestoil full strength was the thing they used.
_________________________
37 46 modified with 455 & all the toys
40 56C original restored (driven over 100,000 miles by me)
69 Sport Wagon (BDE travelling car)
72 GS 455 ( used to harass Mustangs & Camaros)
92 Roadmaster Wagon
04 Rendezevous (Mama's ride)

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#521968 - 07/08/08 08:54 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: The Old Guy]
Bhigdog Offline
Member

Registered: 10/23/01
Posts: 1787
Loc: Eastern PA
I'll probably take some heat for this but comet cleanser and a soft brush works great on oxidized vinyl.......Bob
_________________________
Bob Beck
39 Chev PU
69 big block Corvette
55 Buick 66C
57 Buick 46C
55 Olds S-88
56 Chrysler St. Regis
AACA, BCA, WPC, USHGA

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#522084 - 07/08/08 06:15 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Bhigdog]
Classof53 Offline
Member

Registered: 05/06/08
Posts: 18
Loc: Ohio
I used Colgate Tooth Paste on a 70 White Impala Vinyl top. It came our as white as new. I hust did it last year and I don't believe the top had ever been cleaned.
_________________________
SEE THE USA IN YOUR VINTAGE CHEVROLET

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#522105 - 07/08/08 08:04 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Classof53]
Bill_Haegele Offline
Member

Registered: 02/19/08
Posts: 183
Loc: Virginia
Originally Posted By: Classof53
I used Colgate Tooth Paste on a 70 White Impala Vinyl top. It came our as white as new. I hust did it last year and I don't believe the top had ever been cleaned.


What type and size toothbrush did you use? grin
_________________________
Bill Haegele
The "RED" 1964 Galaxie
http://www.bills1964galaxie500.com
Northern Virginia Car Club Council
http://www.novaccc.org
Bull Run Region AACA
http://local.aaca.org/bullrun/

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#522113 - 07/08/08 08:30 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Bhigdog]
Skyking Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 08/23/00
Posts: 3532
Loc: Rhode Island
Originally Posted By: Bhigdog
I'll probably take some heat for this but comet cleanser and a soft brush works great on oxidized vinyl.......Bob


Bob, I used cleanser on a vinyl top and it destroyed it. After so many times it made the vinyl porous and water would go right through it. mad
_________________________
Bob
62 Invicta conv.
57 Nash Metropolitan Coupe
60 Nash Metropolitan Coupe
2000 Buick Century
2000 Dodge Ram




BCA # 12589
MOCNA # 2527


"Rethink American"

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are
misinformed"

Mark Twain

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#522645 - 07/10/08 09:07 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Skyking]
Terry Bond Offline
Member

Registered: 05/02/00
Posts: 1040
Loc: Chesapeake VA
I've tried a bunch of stuff over the years but by far, my favorite cleaner/protector is Nu-Vinyl. Check it out on Google and try a bottle. You'll never use anything else again. It keeps the original top on my 67 GTO looking like new.
Terry

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#522744 - 07/11/08 09:59 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Classof53]
Reatta Man Offline
Member

Registered: 09/25/00
Posts: 1900
Loc: San Antonio, TX USA
Classof53,

If you are used to using a toothbrush to clean things, you either went through Marine Corps basic training or were a member of a fraternity in college!

If you used the same tooth brush on your car that you use on your teeth, that would make you a Marine! smile

Cheers,

Joe
_________________________
BCA #35668
Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.
- Peter Drucker



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#522751 - 07/11/08 10:15 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Reatta Man]
R W Burgess Administrator Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 11183
Loc: Warsaw, Va.
Quote:
If you are used to using a toothbrush.....


And if you are using a teethbrush to... confused

Oh, shut up Wayne! crazy smile

Wayne

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#522756 - 07/11/08 10:31 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Terry Bond]
Dave@Moon Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 12/14/99
Posts: 7886
Loc: Fairfield (Cincinnati), OH
I'ved a lot of success with Tuff Stuff cleaner from STP on convertible roofs and vinyl awnings.

_________________________
[color:"blue"]"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."[/color][color:"green"]

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#522757 - 07/11/08 10:36 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: R W Burgess]
Matt Harwood Offline
Member

Registered: 10/09/01
Posts: 1960
Loc: Cleveland, OH
Originally Posted By: R W Burgess
Quote:
If you are used to using a toothbrush.....


And if you are using a teethbrush to... confused

Oh, shut up Wayne! crazy smile

Wayne


The fact that it's called a toothbrush simply means that the device was invented in in the same area "Deliverance" was filmed. If it were invented anywhere else, Joe would be correct in calling it a teethbrush.

Of course, were it invented by a guy who speaks ebonics, it might be called a toofbrush.

laugh
_________________________
Matt Harwood (BCA #38767, AACA #987226)
1941 Century Sedanette
If you have a 1941-42 Buick with dual carbs, please visit: The Dual-Carb Registry


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#522762 - 07/11/08 10:46 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Matt Harwood]
Ron Green Offline
Member

Registered: 05/24/00
Posts: 1940
Loc: Camp Hill, PA. USA
Or in red neck talk "he lying thru his tooth".
_________________________
Ron Green

AACA Member #337715
AACA Gettysburg Region (board member)
President Amphicar Club (IAOC)

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#522765 - 07/11/08 10:51 AM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: bill pritchett]
R W Burgess Administrator Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 11183
Loc: Warsaw, Va.
Bill,
I'm sorry I highjacked your thread. It wasn't intentional.

I guess I'm a little bored here in Hooterville. blush

Wayne

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#522821 - 07/11/08 02:43 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: R W Burgess]
Reatta Man Offline
Member

Registered: 09/25/00
Posts: 1900
Loc: San Antonio, TX USA
Wayne,

But it sure is funny!

If your three-year old has more teeth than you do,
You might be a redneck!


Who Says Rednecks Aren't Real Bright??


"Hello"
"Is This The FBI?"

"Yes"
"What Do You Want?"

"I'm Calling To Report My Neighbor Billy Bob Smith"
"He Is Hiding Marijuana Inside His Firewood"

"Thank You Very Much For The Call Sir"

The Next Day The FBI Agents Descend On Billy Bob's House
They Search The Shed Where The Firewood Is Kept
Using Axes
They Bust Open Every Piece Of Wood
They Find No Marijuana

They Swear At Billy Bob And Leave

The Phone Rings At Billy Bob's House

"Hey Billy Bob!"
"Did The FBI Come?"

"Yeah!"

"Did They Chop Up Your Firewood?"

"Yep"

"Merry Christmas Buddy"
_________________________
BCA #35668
Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.
- Peter Drucker



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#522822 - 07/11/08 02:44 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Reatta Man]
Reatta Man Offline
Member

Registered: 09/25/00
Posts: 1900
Loc: San Antonio, TX USA
Meanwhile, back at the forum....

If we could just figure out how to get those FBI agents to clean vinyl tops.....
_________________________
BCA #35668
Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.
- Peter Drucker



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#523314 - 07/13/08 09:04 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: R W Burgess]
bill pritchett Offline
Member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 110
That is ok. I guess you are still a little blinded from all those bright colors you use on your cars.

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#523510 - 07/14/08 04:05 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: bill pritchett]
Classof53 Offline
Member

Registered: 05/06/08
Posts: 18
Loc: Ohio
I DID NOT SAY i USED A TOOTH BRUSH. I SAID I USED COLGATE TOOTH PASTE. I USED A HAND BRUSH LIKE DOCTORS USE BEFORE SURGERY. I WAS NOT IN THE MARINES. I WAS IN THE NAVY AND THE MARINE CORP IS A BRANCH OF THE NAVY. AT LEAST I GAVE YOU SOMETHING TO CHAT ABOUT AND THE TOP WAS AS WHITE AS FRESH SNOW.
_________________________
SEE THE USA IN YOUR VINTAGE CHEVROLET

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#523522 - 07/14/08 05:39 PM Re: Recommended cleaner for vinyl top? [Re: Classof53]
R W Burgess Administrator Offline
Long Time Member

Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 11183
Loc: Warsaw, Va.
That my fault 53. We didn't mean to make fun of your cleaning operation.
Please accept my apology.

Wayne

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