Hello ,
The season is almost over and I would like to clean and preserve my top before putting the car to bed for the winter . Can anybody recommend a good convertible top cleaner that actually works and is good for the top as well .
Thanks ,
Bill
Bill,
Hi. I use Meguiar's D101 on EVERYTHING. Powerful but gentle. Buy a Gallon. It gets diluted depending on your application. Interior, Carpets, Vinyl, Tops, etc. Professional Detailers use it. You'll find all sorts of uses for it, and it also smells fresh too. Hope this Helps!
Bobby
I use 303 Marine/Recreational cleaner and fabric protector on the vicodec top on my Seville, which is the same material as used on convertible tops of the era. Been very happy with it.
Hello Bobby and David ,
I am going to try both . i don't think i can go wrong . Thank you both for helping me out .
Bill
Hello guys:
Being a chemist, I couldn't resist looking up what this stuff contained.
I also like and use many Meguiar's products. This concerns D-101 as
mentioned above. I didn't check the other product.
Here's what the MSDS sheet says (about the liquid as supplied,
before dilution):
Hazard Statements: May be corrosive to metals.
Causes serious eye damage. Causes severe skin burns
and eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation.
I guessed one of the active ingredients was sodium metasilicate
and I was correct. That is a VERY strong (read alkaline) chemical.
It's the active ingredient in white wall tire cleaners and other high
strength industrial cleaners.
http://www.meguiars.com/content/es/msds/D101%20SDS.pdf
I would only use it a very diluted form on any plastic, never on leather
and wear gloves and eye protection (especially if your spraying it). If
you get it on any painted surface, it will strip all your wax. Rinse quickly
with water. I would only use it on a convertible top that was badly stained
and with caution -- otherwise use something less caustic. Simple Green
comes to mind. No hazards here and it's a great cleaner:
http://simplegreen.com/downloads/SDS_EN-US_SimpleGreenAllPurposeCleaner.pdf
I once wrote an article a few years ago about chemical hazards in our
hobby for the "Self Starter". Many folks were surprised about some
things they thought were "harmless".
Be safe!
Mike
Mike,
WOW! After reading your toxicology report, I'm going to dispose of my D101. I didn't realize that Sodium Metasilicate (inorganic salt) could be hazardous to my health even when diluted accordingly. I'm going back to using bleach for cleaning which I assume would be less dangerous to my health. Maybe Simple Green is the way to go, even if it involves some extra elbow grease and time. Maybe you could do a report of various cleaners that are sold over the counter in Auto parts stores so we actually know the dangers of all these chemicals that are available and the hazards that they could impose on our health. Back in the day, I used to spray Imron and Lacquer without a mask like everyone else. I guess this is why we have water base paints nowadays. I guess you don't realize the damage you're doing unless someone in the know points it out. Much appreciated...
Bobby
Thanks for the feedback.
Back in the 60's I also sprayed lacquer without a mask because I didn't know
any better. Today's basecoat / clearcoat paints containing polyurethanes will
kill you (over time) yet I see people spraying away in body shops with this
stuff -- no mask, no air supply, nothing!
Using chlorine bleach (like Clorox type) is really hard on many materials.
Chlorine on a convertible top is not recommended. It degrades many plastics
and can artificially age them (as in making them crack). You already know
what it does to colored materials. I don't use chlorine bleach for anything
on my vehicles.
Try simple Green - you can use it as strong as 1 part SG to 1 part water for
really dirty stuff. It's a very good degreaser and detergent.
Mike
Bill,
Try contacting the folks at Griot's Garage.They have excellent quality detailing products and have found them very helpful for Cadillac detailing
J.Rendine
Hello all,
I'd have to agree that using Simple Green is the best all purpose cleaner to use. I've had great success with all my cleaning needs on both of of my Cadillacs. It's safe, can be diluted to match specific uses and I personally like the smell. At stronger dilutions, I've used it to degrease engine bays.
Michael
I have a great success cleaning the white convertible top on my 72 Eldorado using Vim, a simple household cleaner I borrowed from my wife's cleaning supplies. I have tried some of the expensive detailing supplies but was not impressed, especially with having to masks off the paint and chrome as these expensive pro products can damage these finishes. No such problem with Vim, just use a soft brush and wipe off with damp sponge and dry with a towel. And is costs like $2 a bottle.