Vinyl convertible top

[KSKI]

What’s recommended to clean a vert top?
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My VOLKSWAGEN DOES IT --- AGAIN

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Hey! Another WV beetle! Nice

For the outside, I'd say just the nice mild car wash soap as usual.

For inside, maybe this stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-06524-VLR-VinylLeatherRubber-Care/dp/B004N63S9W

Did a decent job on some spots on my headliner
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1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[KSKI]

👍🏻 How about a finish of armor all for the outside?
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My VOLKSWAGEN DOES IT --- AGAIN

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

[BUGGED11111]

You might Google- Raggtopp Convertible Cleaner, Amazon sells both types Canvas and vinyl. . If your top is in bad condition, it's probably not going to work very well so I would use a diluted Simple Green. Raggtop also sells a sealer. Armorall is a no-go

[Cusser]

I say just water. And VERY mild soap if you must. My own top on my 1971 Convertible is 38 years old, but I kept the top covered when out in the sun; UV is way worse than the heat. Today I drove it with top up, and parked it in the shade at the two places I stopped, even if the shady spots were farther away.

So why did I get a new top back in 1980? I had lent the convertible to my best girlfriend for a month, and she decided to wash and Armor-All the top when she returned it to me. It cracked in a zillion places the next time I tried to lower the top.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[bhartwell59]

[Cusser]

[KSKI]

Appreciate the advice and warning
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My VOLKSWAGEN DOES IT --- AGAIN

[74 Thing]

Go to autogeek.net and check out their products for vinyl tops. You want something with a UV protectant. Raggtop, 303 Aerospace, and Duragloss have products with UV protectant for vinyl tops. Clean with car wash soap, let dry, apply products, then wipe off excess is the normal application routine.

Here is a video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M31Mmetnioc

[hperez71]

My "white" top is vinyl and it was very dirty as the car was stored for about 6 years. After several top products from the local auto store nothing seemed to work. Turns out these products were more for canvas type tops.

So I started reading and found someone that had used some sort of mildew and mold cleaner in a vinyl top (not a beetle conv). The magic ingredient was bleach based on an internet search of the product. Couldn't find that product so I turned to the next best thing Soft Scrub with bleach. Did small 1 ft by 1 ft spots at a time, making sure the entire car was completely wet to avoid bleach from staying on painted surfaces too long. Used a new brush from a dollar store and wiped most of the Soft Scrub with a towel. Afterwards gave a good wash to the car. The vinyl top was shiny all over again although my arms hurt for a couple of days.

[Cusser]

[anywhereanytime]

Good thread, so I will continue. Just got a 1979 Black Vert and am looking for any new inputs to both deep clean, preserve and UV protect the black Vert top.

I wouldn't touch Amour based on both terrible personal experience and many friends. Perhaps, they have changed the formula but not for me.

So, I had a boat for many years and the 303 sounds good, but any other comments or updates as it is now 2022?

[anywhereanytime]

Since this thread is so old, I spent a few hours reading and watching YouTube videos about various techniques and products for vinyl top deep cleaning and follow-on protection from UV, etc. Two products I spent time watching was the various Ragtopp and 403 "Marine Grade" products. While this video is not the best, the COMMENTS were quite enlightening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPntcGKY6mM

So, I ordered the 403 cleaner and marine vinyl protectant and should receive in a few days and will apply to my 1979 Bug Triple Black Vert top and report back.

[birddog1]

[Cusser]

Myself - and my top was installed back in 1980 - I have NEVER used any soap, detergent, or protectant on it - just water and a clean rag. I do have a garage space, so I minimize its time in direct sunlight.

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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[beanlover]

[Cusser]

[beanlover]

She must be some gal!!!! Hold on for all you're worth Cusser!

[Epilog79]

1979 Triple blacks all came with black vinyl tops. I believe every convertible came with vinyl. When I got my 79 in 1993 it still had the original vinyl top. It was in rough shape with 2 holes where the hinges had pinched the vinyl. I replaced it with a Robbins Canvas style and it still looks amazing after 25 years. I only use car wash soap on it when I wash the car and once a year I give it the Raggtop cleaner with a soft bristle brush and then apply the protectant. Of course mine lives in a garage and out of the elements.
Good luck with your Epilogue. Post pictures. We all love pics..