How To Clean Your Vinyl Convertible Top
Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner What is it?
A spray on cleaner that is safe to use for both vinyl and fabric convertible tops.
What does it do?
Removes dirt, dust build-up, road grime, environmental contamination, industrial fallout, air pollution and previously applied dressings.
When do I use it?
Use during the car was process.
Why should I use it?
To clean the top or any vinyl surface to prepare it for the application of the Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant.
From the manufacturer
Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner will allow you to clean both fabric and vinyl convertible tops for an as-good-as-new look. Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner will remove environmental contaminants from your convertible top. The residue-free formula of Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner rinses clean as it prepares the convertible top for protection. Designed to be used in convenience of spray, you won't have any excuse for not keeping your top clean.
Just because having your top down is a great feeling, does not mean that it can't be equally nice having your top up. Feel confident cruising down the road, knowing that your convertible top, vinyl or fabric, is looking like it just rolled off the lot.
Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner works on both fabric and vinyl convertible tops to remove dust, dirt, mud pollen and other environmental contaminants. Your clean surface will not only look good, but it will also be the ideal surface to applying Wolfgang Fabric Convertible Top Protectant or Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant.
Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner is also safe to use on Tonneau covers and car bras without leaving residue behind.
Easy-to-use, you won't have any reason not to keep your convertible top clean. All you have to do is spray directly on the surface, scrub the surface with a bristled brush or microfiber towel and rinse thoroughly. Difficult stains may dwell for up to 20 minutes, but do not allow solution to dry on the surface. Be sure follow up with one of the Wolfgang Convertible Top Protectants, depending on whether you need it for a vinyl or fabric top.
DIRECTIONS
1. Thoroughly rinse your convertible top to remove large pieces of debris.
2. Spray Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner directly onto the wet surface.
3. Gently scrub the surface using a soft bristled brush or microfiber towel, depending on severity of contamination.
4. For more difficult stains, allow a dwell time of approximately 20 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly and do not allow solution to dry on the surface.
6. For best results, follow cleaning with a treatment by your selected Wolfgang Convertible Top Protectant.
Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant What is it?
This is a convertible top protectant designed specifically for vinyl tops.
What does it do?
It provides a layer of protection that prevents fading, cracking and discoloration.
When do I use it?
After fully cleaning your convertible top and allowing it to dry.
Why should I use it?
To ensure your convertible top lasts as long as you want it to!
From the manufacturer
Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant brings you advanced UV protection to your coveted vinyl convertible tops. Feel free to raise the roof as Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant prevents fading, drying and cracking from ruining your vinyl. Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant is non-greasy and instead leaves the surface nice and matte. Easy-to-use, Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant is also safe for use on other exterior vinyl surfaces.
Convertibles are a car to be treasured. Who doesn't love rolling down the coat with the top down? But just because you can put the top down, doesn't mean you always have to. A convertible top can look just as new as the rest of the car when you use Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant.
Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant key feature is the fact that is protects vinyl against harmful UV rays. Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant provides a layer of protection hat prevents fading, cracking and discoloration. Keep your hair in one piece and keep that top up knowing that your vinyl is protected from anything the sun or other environmental contaminants can throw at it.
Your vinyl convertible top will be restored to its original look, allowing you to show off the entirety of car. Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant provides a sleek, matte-like finish, rather than a greasy one. This formula is also nourishing towards the vinyl and will maintain this look for weeks.
Cleaning and protecting your vinyl top couldn't be any easier with Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant. All you have to do is spray and then wipe away with a microfiber towel. However, it is best to first clean the surface with Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner. Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant can also be used on other exterior vinyl surfaces such as windshield wiper blades and tires.
DIRECTIONS
1. If necessary, first clean your convertible top using Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner to prepare the surface for protection.
2. Allow to dry completely before applying Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant.
3. Working out of direct sunlight in a 2 x 2 sq. ft. area, spray Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant onto the surface in an even layer.
4. Using a clean microfiber towel, completely wipe away any excess product until dry.
5. Streaking may occur if too much product is used and can be cleaned away with a wet towel.
6. Continue until entire convertible top has been covered.
7. For maximum UV protection, re-apply every 3-5 weeks
My test car - 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum with a vinyl hardtop
This pristine muscle car belongs to my buddy David and when asked David how his top was looking he said he hadn't touched it since we detailed his car here about 5 years ago. So I would say that "yes", the vinyl top is ready for a thorough cleaning and protecting.
Looks can be deceiving...
While the top can look clean, in reality, this vinyl top is dirty and ready for a good cleaning and protecting.
To show just how grimy this top really is, I took a white microfiber towel and wiped just a small section at the front driver's side corner of the top and here's what came off the vinyl and onto the cloth.
The water test
While it's pretty easy to identify a vinyl hard top, sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a vinyl convertible top and a canvas convertible top and this is because with modern technology, they can make vinyl almost look like canvas. So here's a simple test you can do to make sure of the surface you're working on. Pour a little water onto the top and then push it around with your finger. If the water merely pushes around but never soaks into the material - you're working on vinyl. If the water penetrates INTO the material - you're working on a canvas cloth top.
For this top, water simply moves around as I push it with my finger, it never soaks into the surface. This confirms it's a vinyl top.
Step 1: Thoroughly rinse the top to remove any loose dirt, dust, leaves or other debris.
Step 2: Spray the Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner over the entire top surface.
Step 3: Agitate the cleaner using a scrub brush with medium stiff bristles.
The brush I'm using is a Tampico Brush and it works great for vinyl tops.
Step 4: Rinse again to remove both the loosened dirt and the cleaner.
Step 5: Remove any water left after rinsing. The top needs to be dry before applying the protectant.
Step 6: Spray the entire top down with the Wolfgang Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant.
Step 7: Mist a little product onto the face of a microfiber applicator pad and then work the protectant thoroughly over the top.
Step 8: Remove any excess product with a clean, dry microfiber towel.
Here's the results...
When correctly performed, the top will have a rich, vibrant appearance that is dry, not oily or greasy to the touch.
After a thorough cleaning and protecting, the top on this 1971 Dodge Charger looks amazing and adds an elegant touch to this iconic muscle car.
Review
This is quality 2-step approach for both restoring and maintaining any vinyl top be it a traditional vinyl hard top like this 1971 Dodge Charger has or any vinyl hard top or convertible top on any modern car. The cleaner was effective at removing all the old vinyl dressing that had become dirty and grimy over time and left a perfectly clean surface for the next step. The protectant revitalized a rich, dark satin sheen to the black vinyl top while leaving it feeling and looking brand spanking new.
Vinyl tops are durable in and of themselves but like all aspects of car maintenance, you need to take a pro-active approach and periodically do a thorough cleaning and then re-application of a protectant to preserve both the integrity and health of the vinyl materiel as well as maintain the appearance value and thus the value of the car overall.
When used with the right tools as demonstrated in this review, the Wolfgang Convertible Top Cleaner and Vinyl Convertible Top Protectant were easy to use and performed as advertised. Over the years I'm sad to say most the people that I've met that own a car with a vinyl top or a truck with a vinyl tonneau cover have rarely and actually never lifted a finger to properly and correctly cleaned and protected these surface and as a result - these areas of their cars usually look horrible. Even worse, if you neglect a vinyl surface for too long the material will actually disintegrate right off the car. Then the only way to remedy the situation is pay to have a the ugly and unsightly vinyl top replaced. It's a lot easier and less costly to do like I've shown above than it is to go down the road of replacement.