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Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:20 pm

bhamham wrote: What do you guys use on the poptop canvas?

There are several great threads on the poptop and headliner:[url]
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search_keywords=bleach+canvas&search_forum=20[/url]

It's still damp here and/or rains a lot. I'm not touching it until it warms up. I did do what someone said and remove the mattress from up there, actually to wash. And, didn't put them back. I also have like 800 projects and ideas from the time before I bought my van and few questions I asked, so got to put a hold down on new ones, until I get a few things I already started done! LOL

I thought it was interesting that the back mattress was two toned. Way darker at the rear end of the vehicle, w/ a distinct line half way up...The fabric also looked a different colour, but now I'm not sure if the fabric is a different colour or if it looked that way b/c the foam was a different colour. The big question was, why is the foam, in otherwise great shape, a different colour! LOL

tam

Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:51 pm

Anyone try/use the GoWesty Premium Awning Cleaner?

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3421&category_id=347&category_parent_id=

I was planning on Tilex for the headliner. I've always used SprayNine for our bike trailer b/c it doesn't ruin the colour on the fabric, but does a decent job on the mold...Then, I bleach any small spots that remain.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarWa...?locale=en

tam

Sun May 05, 2013 10:05 pm

This thread should be a sticky!

Moderator note: This thread has been added to the FAQ sticky under the "General" heading (and "Vehicle Care" subheading).

Sun May 05, 2013 11:25 pm

I asked a smart question! So much better than my usual dumb ones that once they're answered, I say, "duh" :oops:

nemobuscaptain wrote: This thread should be a sticky!

Moderator note: This thread has been added to the FAQ sticky under the "General" heading (and "Vehicle Care" subheading).

I'm working on cleaning the mold off my head liner and tent canvas:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=158370

I used Tilex on the head liner. Happy with the results, though I didn't spray it everywhere, but did use the green machine carpet cleaner everywhere, and there are obvious lighter spots where it had been dirtier b/c they're now cleaner.

I used Hydrogen Peroxide everywhere, will wait and see how it looks in the morning before I decide if I like it, or not...It's for sure cleaner, which I love, but am worried that it either damaged the fabric (which it's not supposed to and why I used it) or the fabric was already thinner in spots and it was made obvious b/c it was wet. It certainly lightened the fabric in spots, which it's supposed to and how it removes the mold stains. Though, not evenly, which is annoying!

http://blackmold.awardspace.com/kill-remove-mold.html#hydrogenperoxide

Still working on it...

I also followed Kamz carpet cleaning suggestions and am waiting to see the results of that!

tam

Mon May 06, 2013 5:55 am

Simple green is great for the entire engine bay in my opinion. If you are like me and get smears of oil on your belts use the green. All that oil on your firewall when you blew the motor up last fall??? green's your answer. hands dirty after cleaning your engine? simple green will take that off too. I love that stuff, it is biodegradable(not the only reason I use it.)
And the smell of simple green is so good too.

side note: If you have cuts on your hands simple green doesn't hurt like the orange based cleaners.

Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:43 am

Back with my next project! Glad someone mentioned they hosed off their seat(s) in the yard, as I bought some dirty jump seats and couldn't get them clean until I pulled out the garden hose! LOL

Round Two

The final results! Not bad, huh? There is still one stain/mark/discoloration I can't get out. Right on the top of the vinyl, one spot on the left and another line on the right.

Any ideas as to what it might be and/or what I could use to get it out? I've tried, Oxy-clean carpet cleaner, Orange Spray, De-greaser, Magic Eraser and what ever else is on the ground there! LOL

tam

Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:11 am

tam_shops wrote:

Any ideas as to what it might be and/or what I could use to get it out? I've tried, Oxy-clean carpet cleaner, Orange Spray, De-greaser, Magic Eraser and what ever else is on the ground there! LOL

tam

rustoleum makes a vinyl/fabric touch-up paint that is flexible to resist cracking

Mon Jul 22, 2013 3:20 pm

Thank you, great to know! I was thinking fabric paint again! LOL And, knew everyone said to get a vinyl repair kit and now that I have more than one thing that needs a repair thought I'd order one next time I order w/ Amazon.

tam
tiicosyncro wrote: tam_shops wrote:

Any ideas as to what it might be and/or what I could use to get it out? I've tried, Oxy-clean carpet cleaner, Orange Spray, De-greaser, Magic Eraser and what ever else is on the ground there! LOL

tam

rustoleum makes a vinyl/fabric touch-up paint that is flexible to resist cracking

Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:35 pm

Another product to add to the list:

Cleans just about everything, but especially good for keeping your stainless kitchen looking pretty. :D

Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:54 pm

I wish you'd done a closer picture so I can know if mine is clean enough! LOL I only used the Bug & Tar Remover, my new favourite cleaning supply and wiped it off, rather than hosing. Didn't know if it was ok to get water in there, sure it wasted way more cleaner, but it's my first time. LOL

A couple of questions, there are still a few spots I need to clean more, like small spots (piles) of dried on grease and grime mixed w/ sand that wouldn't come off w/ a toothbrush and scrub brush. Will use a bread tag next time, should fit in there nicely. Unless you have another idea?
kamzcab86 wrote:
Simple Green, Bug & Tar Remover, garden hose and a lot of scrubbing:

How/where did exactly did you clean that roller *thing*? Does it have a name? The part that attaches to the door and track and rolls along the track to open/close. I assume there are rollers of sorts on there...I already sprayed Bug and Tar cleaner on it and scrubbed/wiped it off...

And, now that it's almost clean, how, where and with what can I lubricate it?
I have a can of this:

Will it work?

I have some actual machine grease I use on my SM, but it's not in any kind of *thing* to actually spray or put it there besides my finger.

I'm also going to have to re-read the thread as what ever I used to clean the dash doesn't leave it shiny the way it is when you get it detailed. I used those wipes, perhaps Armoral, but I think Kamz said she didn't like that...

And, I want something for the rubber (tires) and mud flaps. I might add cleaning supplies are expensive, well worth paying that $100/year for my car! LOL

tam

tam

Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:01 pm

Collinite Insulator Wax on all painted surfaces.
There simply is no better wax. It lasts a long time, it protects well, it applies easily, and it makes things shiny.
Use it once a month and your paint will last forever.

Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:24 pm

tam_shops wrote: Didn't know if it was ok to get water in there

Whether it is or not, I sprayed the heck out of it when cleaning mine. Of course, my van lives in Phoenix and I did the cleaning when it was rather warm out, which means the grease was nice and soft; it came off quite easily with Simple Green, Bug & Tar Remover, plastic brush, and a hose.

So, my suggestion would be to either wait until the weather warms back up, or use a hair dryer (or heat gun on lowest setting).

tam_shops wrote: How/where did exactly did you clean that roller *thing*? Does it have a name? The part that attaches to the door and track and rolls along the track to open/close. I assume there are rollers of sorts on there...I already sprayed Bug and Tar cleaner on it and scrubbed/wiped it off...

The lower roller bearing: I jacked the door up just enough to get the bearing off the track. I used tweezers to pull dog hair out of it, then scrubbed it with Simple Green and a brush. Once clean, I sprayed it with Tri-Flow. Next go 'round (which will be in a few weeks), I'll use the bearing grease I have. Your white lithium spray should be okay to use.

tam_shops wrote: I'm also going to have to re-read the thread as what ever I used to clean the dash doesn't leave it shiny the way it is when you get it detailed.

I don't like shiny dashes; I use 303 Protectant. :wink:

Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:29 pm

This?
http://www.collinite.com/automotive-wax/insulator-wax/

Phishman068 wrote: Collinite Insulator Wax on all painted surfaces.
There simply is no better wax. It lasts a long time, it protects well, it applies easily, and it makes things shiny.
Use it once a month and your paint will last forever.

Do I put that over the NuFinish or should it have gone under? If I remember correctly, NuFinish is a polish, not a wax.

It was super warm here today, 4C/40F, I was even wearing my flip flops to wash the vehicles. LOL I wore gloves to do the NuFinish and Penetrol, though I often do that in the summer b/c it keeps the stuff off my hands. LOL

Seriously, warm goo, I got it. Will grease it as is and give it a better clean in the Spring...It really is kind of cold to be sitting on the wet ground cleaning something like that out. I can not believe how dirty it got over the summer. I don't' remember cleaning it last Spring, so it had to have at least looked clean, but the amount of grime in there makes me wonder if it just looked cleaner relative to the rest of the dirt! LOL

I don't think I could find the 303 line here last time I looked. I do like a shiny dash so probably not the best thing to use, it makes it look new again. I'll check for the 303 next time I'm at Walmart/Target and then use it to protect and something else on top to shine. Or just alternate...

Thanks!
kamzcab86 wrote: tam_shops wrote: Didn't know if it was ok to get water in there

Whether it is or not, I sprayed the heck out of it when cleaning mine. Of course, my van lives in Phoenix and I did the cleaning when it was rather warm out, which means the grease was nice and soft; it came off quite easily with Simple Green, Bug & Tar Remover, plastic brush, and a hose.

So, my suggestion would be to either wait until the weather warms back up, or use a hair dryer (or heat gun on lowest setting).

tam_shops wrote: How/where did exactly did you clean that roller *thing*? Does it have a name? The part that attaches to the door and track and rolls along the track to open/close. I assume there are rollers of sorts on there...I already sprayed Bug and Tar cleaner on it and scrubbed/wiped it off...

The lower roller bearing: I jacked the door up just enough to get the bearing off the track. I used tweezers to pull dog hair out of it, then scrubbed it with Simple Green and a brush. Once clean, I sprayed it with Tri-Flow. Next go 'round (which will be in a few weeks), I'll use the bearing grease I have. Your white lithium spray should be okay to use.

tam_shops wrote: I'm also going to have to re-read the thread as what ever I used to clean the dash doesn't leave it shiny the way it is when you get it detailed.

I don't like shiny dashes; I use 303 Protectant. :wink:

tam

Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:22 am

Just processed this while I was trying to go to sleep. Am I supposed to grease the entire length of the track (attracting hair, dirt and junk to it gumming it all up again) or just that roller ball thing?

tam

Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:09 am

What about or how to clean the Fiberglass Poptops to restore the matching Gell-Coat color finish? What are you using?

Or how whould we strip the layers of crud, wax, etc and restore the Color.

Westfalia did a nice job matching the Top color to the Vans Paint color and have seen many Tops that still match nicely. :D

Also see many Vans that look totally off color. and doubt that some owners are aware that the Poptop Color is not Painted, but actually a Gellcoat color cast into the fiberglass and can be restored to match the paint with some cleaning efforts.

So-oooo, What are you guys using? :?:

Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:13 am

WestyDreamer wrote: What about or how to clean the Fiberglass Poptops to restore the matching Gell-Coat color finish? What are you using?

Or how whould we strip the layers of crud, wax, etc and restore the Color.

Westfalia did a nice job matching the Top color to the Vans Paint color and have seen many Tops that still match nicely. :D

Also see many Vans that look totally off color. and doubt that some owners are aware that the Poptop Color is not Painted, but actually a Gellcoat color cast into the fiberglass and can be restored to match the paint with some cleaning efforts.

So-oooo, What are you guys using? :?:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=314474&highlight=penetrol

Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:42 am

tam_shops wrote: Just processed this while I was trying to go to sleep. Am I supposed to grease the entire length of the track (attracting hair, dirt and junk to it gumming it all up again) or just that roller ball thing?

tam

I spray the roller and entire track with Fluid Film: it keeps the slider smooth and quiet.

It catches bits of stuff but I just wipe the whole thing clean twice a year and re-spray.

Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:04 pm

Me too, I use Penetrol on the top. I did two coats in the Spring and now did one more and the colour is great and it's much closer to matching. I don't think you can get a true colour match w/ just cleaning/scrubbing it, especially w/ the reds (they seem to fade more) b/c the top and body fade at different rates (paint on metal vs fibre glass).
dobryan wrote: WestyDreamer wrote: What about or how to clean the Fiberglass Poptops to restore the matching Gell-Coat color finish? What are you using?

Or how whould we strip the layers of crud, wax, etc and restore the Color.

Westfalia did a nice job matching the Top color to the Vans Paint color and have seen many Tops that still match nicely. :D

Also see many Vans that look totally off color. and doubt that some owners are aware that the Poptop Color is not Painted, but actually a Gellcoat color cast into the fiberglass and can be restored to match the paint with some cleaning efforts.

So-oooo, What are you guys using? :?:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=314474&highlight=penetrol

Thanks Jake, is Fluid Film different than the Silicone I have and can I get it at CT? I suspect that if I do as you say, regardless of what I spray there, it won't have the same nasty build up I just scrubbed out!

Found it after at CT:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/automotive/oils-...nhTkeJjuSo
I think that we have a can of that from when we road motorcycles, for the chains.
Jake de Villiers wrote: tam_shops wrote: Just processed this while I was trying to go to sleep. Am I supposed to grease the entire length of the track (attracting hair, dirt and junk to it gumming it all up again) or just that roller ball thing?

tam

I spray the roller and entire track with Fluid Film: it keeps the slider smooth and quiet.

It catches bits of stuff but I just wipe the whole thing clean twice a year and re-spray.

Oh, what about that sand grit sound I still heard yesterday? Would you *guess* it's b/c there is still dirt, grime, sand in the track OR the roller OR b/c there is currently no new/fresh lubrication there?

tam

Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:06 pm

Instead of taking seat covers off you could easily use something like the Bissel SpotClean Pro portable steam cleaner. Just remember to air out (dry with a fan) the van when done. These units do a great job with very little effort. Amazon has them for around $140.

Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:12 pm

Yep, that's the wax!
Not Below or above your non-wax "NEW FINISH" stuff.

In place of it.

It's actual wax.
Makes the car look good.
Protects the paint by wearing off slowly.
Needs monthly applications.
Smells and feels like wax.

IS wax.

Good stuff.
GREAT STUFF actually.