what to use on a fiat 500 convertible roof

[octane]

First time I work on a car with a fabric roof. Would 303 fabric protecter be a good choice? I don't have many products besides the CarPro fabric stuff and the 303. Any tricks on what to do? Thanks!

[swanicyouth]

I love 303 FP. Its great for fabric tops. I don't like aerosol products because they get all over the glass and paint.

Once the top is clean and dry, I paint the 303 on with a paint brush. It will look white, but dry clear. Once its dry, brush off any extra with a towel or your hand.

Stuff lasts a long time, is cheap, and beads water like crazy.

303 on my top. Application was months old.

http://youtu.be/yMvueb06Peg

[Vegas Transplant]

...Any tricks on what to do? Thanks!

Use non-linting wash/dry media.

[richy]

I HIGHLY recommend Duragloss 341. Check out this review I did of it comparing it to the CarPro product:


http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/69082-comparison-dg-341-convert-fabric-restorer-cquartz-fabric-leather-prot-n.html

[octane]

341 seems pretty hard to find at the places I usually buy... guess you have to buy it directly from their site...

car is coming in 2 days, so I guess I'll try my luck with the 303 I have at hand.

[Mike Phillips]

First time I work on a car with a fabric roof. Would 303 fabric protecter be a good choice? I don't have many products besides the CarPro fabric stuff and the 303. Any tricks on what to do? Thanks!


There's some tips here... this article I'm showing RaggTopp at one of my Detailing Boot Camp Classes but both RaggTopp and 303 products are top notch.


How to clean and protect convertible canvas and cloth tops (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/49989-how-clean-protect-convertible-canvas-cloth-tops.html)


At our January 28th Detailing Boot Camp Class (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/45662-pictures-detailing-boot-camp-day-1-a.html) we went over cleaning and protecting a Vinyl Convertible Top on a 1967 Pontiac Gran Prix

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1374/1DetailBootCamp043.jpg


For this class we're using RaggTopp products to clean and protect a Canvas Top. The day before I washed the top carefully because it was dusty and had bug poo spots on it. To do this I used the RaggTopp Natural Horse Hair Convertible Top Brush and the RaggTopp Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner.

The horse hair brush has soft bristle so it wont' make your canvas top fuzzy looking by fraying the fibers. The RaggTopp Fabric Cleaner is safe so you're not using to harsh or strong a cleaner.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp116.jpg http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp117.jpg


After washing I blotted dry using Guzzler Waffle Weave drying towels. This was all done on Friday and then the top was allowed to FULLY DRY overnight and out in FULL SUN on Saturday until we pulled it into the garage for the protection step.

NOTE: Before you can apply the first application of a fabric protectant or any second or third applications of protectant, the top must be bone-dry in order for maximum bonding of the protection ingredients.

In the case of RaggTopp Fabric Protectant, this product uses Ciba Tinuvin UV Blockers, the most costly UV Blockers available for this application.

RaggTopp fabric cleaner and protectant are also endorsed and recommended by the Haartz Corporation as well as Rode & Schwalenber Gmbh. (Germany). Rode & Schwalenber have been manufacturing convertible top materials for 105 years and The Haartz Corporation manufactures the majority of convertible tops for auto manufactures world wide. Pretty good credentials.


In this shot I'm explaining how I cleaned the canvas top the day before and why not to use brushes with stiff, coarse bristles.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp108.jpg


Using the aerosol RaggTopp Protectant is basically like using a can of spray paint
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp109.jpg


Hold the can about 12" away and use overlapping motions as you spray the protectant. Be sure to thoroughly spray any seams or stitching.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp110.jpg



Here's Iain spraying on the RaggTopp Fabric Protectant...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp111.jpg


Use an overlapping, sweeping motion...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp112.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp113.jpg


In this shot, as I spray the leading edge I can't help but get a little overspray onto the glass but it's not a problem as the overspray will wipe off easily and if you get any on paint it's completely safe and won't cause any harm.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp114.jpg


Here's Tony wiping overspray off the windshield using a clean, microfiber towel...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1446/2BootCamp115.jpg



Products

RaggTopp Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/rafacl.html)

RaggTopp Fabric Protectant (http://www.autogeek.net/rapr.html)

RaggTopp Natural Horse Hair Convertible Top Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/convertible-top-brush.html)

The Guzzler Triple Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/guzzler-triple-kit.html)




You can also see Autogeek's how-to segment on Two Guys Garage...


How To Clean And Protect A Canvas Cloth...



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Here's an "early" video we made here... probably 4 years old now...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Q996A-Pig]Mike Phillips demonstrates how to properly protect your canvas or vinyl convertible top. - YouTube[/video]





:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's another one with Rick from RaggTopp... any tips shared here would apply to just about ANY product you use...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiUjQKZaLrI]Raggtopp Canvas Top Cleaner and Protectant on Autogeek's What's in the Garage? TV Show - YouTube[/video]


:)