Soft top care

Body, Paint, Interior and Trim questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

bender
Learner Driver
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:47 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Sydney

Soft top care

Postby bender » Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:08 pm

Hi all,

Just wonder what products you guys use to clean and protect your soft tops? Any special treatment I sure be using for a lasting soft top?

Regards

User avatar
JBT
Speed Racer
Posts: 7946
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Brisbane

Re: Soft top care

Postby JBT » Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:28 pm

Is it a vinyl or fabric top :?:
Image

User avatar
hamx5ter
Racing Driver
Posts: 903
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:39 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Cherrybrook, Sydney

Re: Soft top care

Postby hamx5ter » Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:09 am

I used auto glym's vinyl & rubber care on my very grey vinyl top and it's cleaned up very well.

Just washed down the top, spray on and wipe off.. No sticky, no shine..
Image

bender
Learner Driver
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:47 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Sydney

Re: Soft top care

Postby bender » Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:53 pm

JBT wrote:Is it a vinyl or fabric top :?:


Not sure is the original top, so I believe is vinyl?

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: Soft top care

Postby hks_kansei » Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:25 pm

I use a soft brush and 303 protectant.

I'll wet the top, then spray on some car wash soap, scrub it ligthly with a damp soft bristled brush, then rinse it thoroughly.

after it's dried off I then get a cloth and apply the 303, leave it for a couple of minutes and then come back and with a clean cloth rub it down to get rid of excess 303 and get rid of the shineyness. (baiscally the same method as the package says)


I also make a point of cleaning out the soft top drains after I wash the top. (but before I do the 303)


edit:
I have the Factory Vinyl top.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

User avatar
taminga16
Speed Racer
Posts: 3617
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:22 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Central Victoria

Re: Soft top care

Postby taminga16 » Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:49 pm

A Motor Trimmer that I met when I still had my NB Soft Top recommended Koala Products Vinyl Care, made here, water based (will not attack stitching etc.) non sticky, no gloss finish, no build up and will not spot after rain. I also felt that it conditioned the surface. The critical point with any treatment is to insure that the surface is CLEAN, treatments only highlight defects. Think about your nail polish, if you do not get the old polish off the new coats will only look like crap.
Oh, and the best thing about the above-mentioned is that it is $4.00 a bottle from the Reject Shop. Can I say that?
Greg.
P.S. Ignore the spray instructions, wipe it onto a warm surface with an open sponge and then move the car to the shade, drink two of what ever you are having and check to see if the top is drying evenly, have another drink and then buff for a great finish, if it rains between treatments wait until the top is dry and the give it a quick buff to restore the finish.
When you turn your car on, does it return the favour?

User avatar
Quicksilver
Fast Driver
Posts: 204
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 9:06 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Brisbane / Gold Coast

Re: Soft top care

Postby Quicksilver » Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:30 pm

taminga16 wrote: Think about your nail polish

:shock: :shock: :shock:
クイクシルバ

User avatar
hamx5ter
Racing Driver
Posts: 903
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:39 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Cherrybrook, Sydney

Re: Soft top care

Postby hamx5ter » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:53 am

Quicksilver wrote:
taminga16 wrote: Think about your nail polish

:shock: :shock: :shock:


LOL... now repeat after me... "I am my own worst enemy.." :lol:
Image

bender
Learner Driver
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:47 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Sydney

Re: Soft top care

Postby bender » Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:33 am

thanks for the tips guys!

User avatar
taminga16
Speed Racer
Posts: 3617
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:22 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Central Victoria

Re: Soft top care

Postby taminga16 » Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:44 am

The Soft top treatment tips are free but I am going to have to bill you for the nail care stuff. :wink:
When you turn your car on, does it return the favour?

trader
Racing Driver
Posts: 797
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:41 am
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: canberra

Re: Soft top care

Postby trader » Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:24 am

I put Kiwi nugget on mine over six months ago after it being recommended on this site. Still does not yet need a recoat. I found any silicone product just washes off.
NB SE, NA 1.8.

User avatar
matt2424
Learner Driver
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2010 9:43 pm
Vehicle: NC
Location: Sydney

Re: Soft top care

Postby matt2424 » Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:03 pm

I just use a soft brush and the usual turtle car wash soap on my fabric soft-top, and wash it off thoroughly
2005 NC YSR Coilovers


Return to “MX5 Body, Paint, Interior & Trim”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 106 guests