Ok....it's time to clean and protect my cab top. I need a complete kit so I don't screw this up, ie brushes, etc.
Whats everyone using and who has it.
Thanks
dave29

 

you don't need fancy stuff unless the top is in bad condition.

here is my routine:
car wash top with a strong spray (not power wash though)
use regular car wash is fine. lots of sods here.
use a soft boars hair brush if there is a really dirty stuff trapped. otherwise, a nice mitt is fine. do not use a coarse nylon bruch
rinse with lots of water
let fully dry under sun
use pet lint roller to remove all the lints (use this regularly to spot clean top from dusts and hairs)
spray a top protectant every 6-12mo, depending on exposure to elements. good top protectants can be found on detailer sites, your porsche dealer or auto upholstry shops. look for one with UV protection.

 

You don't have to wash your car's top every time you wash your car, but used occasionally it will remove ingrained soil /road dirt. Every time you wash your convertible top, even with the gentlest car wash shampoo, you are stripping off any previously applied protection. A better methodology would be to vacuum the top using a brush attachment to remove loose dirt and then just rinse the top with clean water.

Rode & Schwalenbert Global Minority Business Network (GMBN) Germany the world leading manufacturer of automobile convertible tops exclusively recommends Harrtz RaggTopp®Cleaners and Protectant. Developed specifically for cleaning, re-proofing and preserving convertible tops, these cleaning kits consist of two products:
1. Cleaner to remove soiling, stains and atmospheric pollution for both natural and synthetic materials. The best cleaners are formulated from low-pH (low alkalinity) and gentle enough for repeated use over years. They will rely on proteins and enzymes for their safe, but effective, cleaning power.

2. Fabric protector to re-proof and preserve fabric tops from the effects of water absorption, surface soiling and staining, and provide a sunscreen from UV radiation and subsequent fading, and it repels dirt, grease, and oil. It doesn’t make your vinyl top glossy or greasy-looking. It will have the natural matte sheen of new vinyl.

Alternative product
1. This is the fabric protector recommended by Glen Raven Mills (Sunbrella) and the Harrtz Corporation, 303™ High Tech Fabric Guard restores lost water repellence and stain repellence to factory new levels. It stops leaks, resists soiling and impedes mildew formation and helps protect against the sun's harmful UV rays.
2. Gtechniq i1 Fabric Nano Coating – coats individual fibres, which allows the material to breath, while at the same time repelling dirt and liquid. It has no affect on the tactile feel or colour of any fabric

Application Methodology

• Masking - use a 1-mil x 9-foot x 12-foot plastic drop cloth, cut it in two pieces (6 x 9-feet). With the convertible top up in front & back, drape one piece across the back as close to the top hinges as possible. Drape the second piece over the windshield and far enough 6-foot h back to cover the seat back, fold the convertible top down but do not latch. Mask the areas around the fabric top with masking tape (3M® Painters Easy Release Blue Tape)
• Mask the rear window - cover the rear window to avoid over-spray
• Use a soft horsehair brush to remove any loose surface dust, and then vacuum to ensure the surface is dust free, use a lint lifter to remove lint from the fabric surface. Be careful around the rear window to avoid scratching

Cleaning the Fabric Top - shake product for 30-60 seconds to ensure even mixing
• All surfaces should be clean, dry and free of dust, wax or silicone.
• As with all cleaning products, always test a small, indiscrete area first to ensure it won't discolour or stain the surface, and ensure that the pH of the product is suitable for the material.
• Apply fabric cleaner (Harrtz RaggTopp®) in a cross hatch pattern //// \\\\ (to ensure an even coverage) with a clean, damp applicator and leave to penetrate fabric for 10 – 20 minutes dependent upon stain. Gently scrub using a soft brush to get into the texture of the fabric. Work the brush from the middle towards the outside.
• Repeat if necessary; applying two light coats are better than the application of one heavy coat: allow drying thoroughly between coats.
• Rinse off using a low-pressure water hose and a soft horsehair brush
• Dry with a waffle weave Micro fibre towel using a blotting motion to dry excess moisture.

• Allow the fabric to dry for as long as possible (preferably 24-hours) before using the protectant. An hour or two isn’t long enough, it may feel dry but that’s only the uppermost surface layer (using a protectant on a damp fabric will ‘seal in’ the moisture and encourage the formation of mildew)

• Apply a fabric protector (Harrtz RaggTopp®Protectant or 303™ High Tech Fabric Guard) on the dry fabric, keeping about 6-8 inches above surface and in a cross hatch pattern //// \\\\ (to ensure an even coverage) using a back and forth movements spray lightly but do not soak (if you use too much product it will turn white, rinse away excess and allow to dry)
• Always ensure that the stitched seams have adequate protection applied to them
• Alternatively use a soft horsehair paintbrush and apply light thin coats, if time permits, two light coats are better than one medium coat, using gentle sweeping motion. Do not saturate. Allow to dry 10-15 minutes between coats, and to dry thoroughly before using or storing.
• Remove all masking tape and any other materials
• Be sure to remove any accidental over-spray from paint or glass surfaces immediately with a damp Microfiber towel or a 1:1 isopropyl alcohol / distilled water solution. On paint work use a pre-wax cleaner if necessary or fine detailing clay.
• After treatment the top will bead water, when the beading diminishes (usually at 6 monthly intervals, dependent upon climate / use) it's an indication that it's time for another treatment.

Maintenance- normal cleaning: use a medium pH car wash concentrate and apply UVR protection; periodically (dependant on climatic conditions) as its protection degrades over time, apply a UV protection (303™ Aerospace Protectant) to fabric by keeping spray about 6-8 inches above surface and using a back and forth movement spray lightly but do not soak fabric.

Apply a fabric protector (Harrtz RaggTopp®Protectant) each quarter (adjust for use / and or environmental conditions)
Harrtz RaggTopp®Horse Hair Brush - this natural horse hair brush will not harm the finish of your convertible. It’ nonabrasive and is incredibly soft, yet strong enough to get into the fibres and texture of your fabric of vinyl top. The design of the brush makes it easy to grip and gently scrub dirt and grime from your convertible top, car cover or other fabric and vinyl material like tonneau covers, vinyl awnings.