Top Treatment........

[Don Hiltz]

It's been years since I've owned a convertible and, as best as I can recall, the old top was made of some synthetic material (like nylon). My '03's top is clearly a different material and I'd like to know if there's a treatment which will maintain the color, protect the material, and enhance its water repellency?

I know I'm probably expecting too much, but I'd sure welcome any suggestions....

Don

 

[Dixie Snake]

I too am a new SRT-10 convert owner and a new member to the club. I could not find any specific instructions for cleaning the top,however when I bought my wife her new CLK convertible the instructions contained in the owners manual were pretty specific. Since the top material appears to be the same, and since Mercedes and Dodge are related, I use the same method and cleaning agent for both cars. Also, when I asked the Mercedes dealer what to use to clean the top he sold me a MOPAR cleaner marked for M-B & Viper tops. Cleaning is as follows:

1) never use any soap or detergent on the top
2) never "rub" the top
3) to remove the excess water use your hand as a squeege,with a front of top to
back motion(never back and forth).
4) for final drying, pat the top, do not rub. I use sort of a rolling "rolling"
motion by placing the chamois in my hand palm down and then roll from front
to back. I find that this does not leave any "lint" behind, and you should
also use a newer chamois for this, and not an old one, as they tend to leave
small pieces behind.

This may seam like toooooooooo much detail, but I am particular about the way my cars look.
Also for your information, my dealer said that when they detail a car, they steam the top!

Hope this helps.

 

[BigCarrot]

The Rag Top system is the best. I have an unused kit that I'll sell cheap if you want it.

 

[viperdrummer]

Ragg Top is very good. In stores and on E-bay.

 

[GoldenVenom]

Thanks Don Hiltz, Dixie Snake and everyone! I found this post very useful for me.
Trinh

 

[SRTRICKY]

I've used RaggTopp and it keeps the top black (proof comes from the Corvette) I think you only need to use it twice a year

 

[wormdoggy]

I've used RaggTopp and it keeps the top black (proof comes from the Corvette) I think you only need to use it twice a year

Can you tell me where I can purchase this system?
Thanks
Patrick

 

[BigCarrot]

From me....

 

[SRTRICKY]

lol yeah from BC or autogeek.net and type in corvetteforum to get 10 or 15% off.

 

[SRTRICKY]

Patrick,
if you were looking for a canadian place to buy it to avoid the duty and stuff try eshine.ca (click shop by brand then RaggTopp)

Ricky

 

[29OUTLAW]

Depending on the type of "dirt", there're a couple of methods I use in between wet washings.

For example, my small shopvac with a little brush attachment worked great this spring during pollen season.

Little pieces of white fuzz from my car cover are easily dealt with by using a lint roller used on clothing.

 

[wormdoggy]

Patrick,
if you were looking for a canadian place to buy it to avoid the duty and stuff try eshine.ca (click shop by brand then RaggTopp)

Ricky

Thanks Ricky...........we are getting killed up here. I just bought an article from Vipertrim and I paid 50% duty and taxes. How much ****ing blood does this government want....................meanwhile we keep hearing everyday about some government official embezzling money. What's it up to now....2 billion lost or stolen.

Sorry to vent on your thread.............

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

This past weekend, I detailed the car and used the Raggtop cleaner and protectant (3-coats) for the first time.
It's easy to use both, the car looks great, and the application (protectant) should be good for 6-months.

 

[Nader]

How did you protect the car from overspray? That is my biggest concern.

 

[SRTRICKY]

How did you protect the car from overspray? That is my biggest concern.

just wipe it off the windows it comes off very easy... I didn't protect it at all from over spray just wiped down the windows right after

 

[Nader]

What about the paint?

 

[rcl4668]

FYI --

I just spoke with my Viper tech at my local dealer and he stated that the top material is actually made in England and is a true cloth/canvas top and is not a vinyl- or nylon-impregnated material. Can someone confirm this? Thanks.

/Rich

 

[Nader]

Yes it is cloth.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

How did you protect the car from overspray? That is my biggest concern.

I'm kind of anal. I covered the entire car, inclduing all windows before applying to the convertible top.
Directions say, two to three coats first time you use it.
I did three coats. Drying time between each coat is 20-30 minuites, longer in Florida. I waited 1-hour between each coat. Again, I'm anal.

RaggTop is the only cleaner and protectant that convertible top manufacturers recommend for use on their convertible tops.

 

[SRTRICKY]

I ended up puttign 4 coats on and finished the entire bottle didn't put anything on the paint but now that I think about it I really should have