Vinyl Top Cleaning

Vinyl Convertible Topping, Roofcover, Tire/NoseCover, and Coverall Tonneau Cover Materials


A regular cleaning program will help enhance the beauty and life of a vinyl top and make successive cleanings easier. A first stop for information specific to your top's cleaning can be found in the vehicle owner's manual. Haartz makes the following recommendations.


Haartz recommends hand washing your convertible, however most automatic car washes will not harm vinyl top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. 


 


Recommended Products



We've collaborated with Wolfsteins to offer this cleaning package. It includes everything you need to clean and protect your vinyl convertible top. The kit features Wolfsteins' new Premium Large  Brush System. The package also includes the RAGGTOPP™ Convertible Top Vinyl Protectant, which is the strongest professional-strength vinyl protectant on the market. Finishing out the kit is a bottle of RAGGTOPP™ Convertible Top Fabric & Vinyl Cleaner, a Zezo-Fiber ZAP® Cloth, 3 Premium Plush Blue Microfiber Towels, and 2 Premium Orange Microfiber Applicator Pads. To order, visit the Wolfsteins website.


 


Caring for Your Vinyl Top


Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle matter, should be removed promptly from the topping material. Vacuum the top with a brush attachment and rinse the vinyl top thoroughly with water to remove loose particle matter. This will also prevent dirt and other debris from being redeposited during the cleaning process. After rinsing the top thoroughly, apply RAGGTOPP Cleaner* evenly over the entire top. . RAGGTOPP Cleaner works best on a wet surface. Allow the cleaner to remain on the top surface for 10 to 20 minutes (avoid direct sunlight) and then scrub the top lightly with the RAGGTOPP Premium Convertible Top Brush, a soft nylon brush, or a terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until no remaining soap foam is observed. Repeat this procedure for very soiled tops. Allow the top to dry before use. 


Properly formulated and coated vinyl is waterproof so additional treatment is unnecessary. To help protect and preserve the beauty of vinyl topping, you can follow the cleaning process with an application of RAGGTOPP Vinyl Protectant. Simply spray the protectant on the topping material and wipe dry with a clean cotton cloth. Reapply after each cleaning or as necessary. Do not use top dressing cleaners or conditioners containing silicones, organic solvents, petroleum distillates or plasticizers as these may permanently harm the top material’s vinyl coating. 


The vinyl coating itself does not promote mildew growth, but mildew may grow on dirt and other matter that is not removed from the top. For stubborn cases, apply a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4 oz. / 120ml) bleach (5-8% Sodium Hypochlorite solution...Clorox/Dan Klorix brand or similar) and 1/4 cup (2 oz. / 60ml) RAGGTOPP Cleaner per gallon (3.8 liter) of water. Rinse thoroughly with cool to cold water. Please note that excessive soaking with bleach solution can weaken seam threads. Rinse the entire top to remove all of the bleach solution from the vinyl, and rinse the car body to prevent streaking on painted, chrome or other surfaces. Repeated cleanings may be necessary. 


As a general rule, softtops should be stored with the roof in the up/closed position for any extended periods of time.  Never store the top down/open while wet.  Avoid wrapping the top or vehicle for extended storage with any material that isn't breathable.  


For vinyl tops with the standard, diamond or pinpoint grain on the outer surface, we recommend gentle scrubbing action to avoid abrading this embossing pattern. 


For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com


CoverAll is a trademark of The Haartz Corporation

RAGGTOPP is a trademark of Wolfsteins Pro-Series


Vinyl Cleaning Products


* Washing with a non-detergent soap (i.e. Ivory or Lux) and lukewarm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP Cleaner, but not as effective. Please avoid using detergents.


 



 


 

Need help or more information?


Contact us