Cleaning the Roadster Roof

bogdonj

bogdonj

Well-known member
Hey Guys! quick questions regarding the top for the Roadsters. I had a raccoon break into the garage the other night while the vehicles were in storage. I noticed it had jumped up on the top and left it's paw marks on it. Just wondering what I should use to clean it? just mild soap or water? brush, sponge, cloth? I know someone way back that used a cleaner on his roof and it make it change colour. Any help would be great! I don't want to mess this one up because I know how expensive these tops are.
 

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I used convertible top cleaner from a local parts store and was impressed with results on the top and tire covers. I think I got the Eagle One brand.
 
I wet the whole top with cold water and have a pail of warm water with lots of Ivory soap in it and use a soft brush. I did the top in 4 sections rinsing well and scrubbing the rinse water as well. I went over the top twice concentrating on some dirty areas . Lots of rinsing and drying in the sun. Top came out looking great. I had no idea how old the material was that is why I used Ivory instead of another, prepared product.
 
You were lucky and got off easy. About 5 years ago I went out to my 28 Phaeton (when I had it parked in a plastic garage) and found some animal had torn the top about 5 inches each direction in a V. I hand stiched it and will replace it with my new top one of these days.
 
I've had good luck cleaning my old canvas roadster top with Tuff Stuff in the large red and yellow aerosol If the top is badly stained or discolored it can easily be dyed, even change top color if you wish. Most don't know that most better paint stores offer an upholstery dye that can be sprayed on with a paint gun. They dye is at spraying consistancy and usually needs no thinner but can be thinned with spraying grade lacquer thinner . In the body shop we often dyed vinyl tops. I've changed the color on vinyl seat covers. I changed the color of the convertable top on a 57 chevy that I had. You first wash down the surface with synthetic enamel reducer and dry. Then spray the dye on. If you mess up and firrst wash the top down with lacquer thinner instead of enamel reducer the dye will fail.
 
The shotgun did cross my mind but I live in a residential area and it was at 3am. I got 99% of the marks off the top. Luckly it wasn't stained by the raccoon and I used hot soapy water and a light brush to take it off. I also soaked the whole top first! I"m so luck it didn't urinate or rip it open. Thanks guys for the quick help!
 
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