Cleaning convertible top
 

Looking for suggestions on what to use to clean my convertible top.
It looks great but I think it would look better if cleaned. The top is the original top that came with the car and is in perfect condition, I do not want to harm it with too strong of a cleanser your suggestions are welcomed.

I have used a convertible top cleaner that I got at the auto parts store. It was simply called "Convertible Top Cleaner" This was 7-8 years ago, but it should be available. Mild, but works well...at least on my black top. With your ivory top, some Westley's Bleech-white tire cleaner might work very well. I've used it on vinyl's and white walls, but you'll need to test a small area first to avoid the unthinkable!!

I love Bleche-White for tires, but I would be super duper scared of using it on the top. I'm mostly just paranoid, but I'm pretty sure it removes actual tire surface. Not trying to sound smart, just paranoid.

And your convertible is the holy grail of all cars, which if it was mine I would already be up at night worrying that one or two molecules of original dust got misplaced somehow!! That is NOT sarcastic, in case anyone wonders. Your original convert is the bees knees, top dog, coolest historical time capsule of all time. If I was at Pebble Beach (if the convert was mine) and somebody foolishly offered to trade me a real '64 FERRARI GTO, I would immediately cough up my half-eaten pork rib morsel (which sadly might hit whatever one-of-none car we were both looking at), look at him red-faced and storm off offended at such a travesty!

Maaaaan that GTO doesn't just look like those original ad photos I have on my wall.

I used Bleche white, and Simple green on the original convertible top on my '64. No problems so far. I first started doing that 9 years ago when I got it.

Cleaning
 

http://www.autogeek.net/rafaca.html I like this product.

I was wrong!:o

How did you keep it from affecting the paint? My concern (at least with my car) is the runoff getting into everything and causing problems. :confused:

The paint on my car is tired so I didn't take any precautions. It didn't affect my old tired paint at all.

Lacquer or enamel?

I think its lacquer. Its not original paint but painted once around 1982 I think.

27jaopy

You may not be paranoid. I started using Bleche White a couple of years ago. I mentioned this to a representative of my tire manufacturer. He informed me that this was not a good thing to be doing. He mentioned I should use Simple Green or similar type cleaners. No idea what it will do to convertible tops.

Make the stitching weak. Just sayin. John

Another vote for Bleach White. I've used it and as long as you are rinsing it quickly and thoroughly, you won't have a problem.

I am curious why nobody has tried or mentioned cutting the solution in half and trying it?

X2...The cleaner and protectant are great products.

That's essentially what you are doing with it - you hose off the roof and wash off any loose material that's there - spray the area that needs some extra help, brush it quickly and then rinse it off. The entire process takes less than a minute.