A Stayfast/Mohair soft top protection review

[green_comet]

Hey guys,

I thought I would share a quick product review for those looking at protecting their Stayfast or Mohair fabric tops.

I have had a stayfast top on my car for the past few years and find it superior to vinyl in every way, except for how easy vinyl tops are to keep clean. Since I installed the top I have tried a few different products, with my favorite being 303 Fabric Guard which keeps the material nicely sealed so it can repel water, dirt, bird dropping etc. It does the job well but I find it very annoying to apply, the pump bottle is terrible and sprays the stuff all over the car making it hard to get an even coating on the top. I use newspaper to mask off the windows and paint from the overspray as it's a pain to clean, so you tend to waste alot plus the smell/vapor it gives off is pretty bad to work with. Once on it's pretty good, repels water/dirt nicely and lasts for about 3 months on my top before needing to be re-applied. Washing the car seems to wear the stuff off after about 6 washes, at which point you have to go through the whole application process again.

Around October last year I was recommended another product made by Stoner called Fabprotex, it's was about the same price as Fabric Guard but it comes in a spray can instead of an annoying trigger bottle. Applying Fabprotex is a million times better than 303 Fabric Guard, the spray pattern is perfect and makes it seriously easy to apply evenly, no window or paint masking is needed just shake the can and spray it on. It gives off no smell, lasts for ages, and you use less of it since it's all going on the top and not all over the place.




Here is a quick video I made while washing my car yesterday, I applied a coat of Fabprotex to my top in October last year. Since then I have washed my car a heap of times, it's still beading and doing it's job very nicely.





So if you're after a good protectant for you cloth top go with the 303 Fabric Guard, if you're after an excellent protectant go with Stoner Fabprotex. I use it on my car and have started using it on many of my clients cars tops, I highly recommend.

[hks_kansei]

Hi Ryan,

What's your recommendation on protection for the OEM Vinyl top?

Is there an equivalent for either of these products for vinyl? (I've just been using the normal 303 on my roof)

[green_comet]

I used to use 303 on my old vinyl top before I changed it over, good stuff but I found it would run from the top if left in the rain. If I still had a vinyl top now though I would probably use Perl by Carpro due to it's hydrophobic effect, it's a good vinyl/rubber protectant that is diluted with water and can be used just fine on convertible vinyl tops. I would dilute it 1:1, spray on the top, wiper it in and then with a dry cloth lightly wipe the excess off. I have a bottle here if you ever want to try some out on your top one day.

There is a great review, and lots of info here.





Quick video of it beeding water.

[Regie]

i wouuld assume this Fabrotex would be suitable for the cloth tops on the NC's

looks like a good product

[green_comet]

Yeah, It'll be fine on the NC top.

[Regie]

Yeah, It'll be fine on the NC top.

i was hoping you say it would eat the NC top

Must stop spending money on this car haah

[falconsforge]

Where do you buy the fabprotex, i have tried my local autoshops with no luck.

[green_comet]

Where do you buy the fabprotex, i have tried my local autoshops with no luck.

From Waxit, if you are in the mood to spend more Nanolex Convertible Top Sealant is a fantastic product too, better than Fabprotex but more expensive. CarCareProducts supply it.

[toymx5]

Hi,

Can you recommend any products to give a black NC 2005 LE roof a nice even dark finish ? Sounds like Fabrotex is a great water proofer to use after washing the roof but does it do anything to improve the appearance of the fabric ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

[91 Malibu]

Hi,

Can you recommend any products to give a black NC 2005 LE roof a nice even dark finish ? Sounds like Fabrotex is a great water proofer to use after washing the roof but does it do anything to improve the appearance of the fabric ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

Pete don't tell me you have swapped your stunning red NB for a NC

[toymx5]

Don't panic Chris, I'd never swap little Toy for an NC ! It's my brother's, he's gone on holidays and left me in charge of it. I hate the mohair softops on the NC's, so hard to get them looking good, trying to find someting to give it a nice even dark finish.

I must admit I like the brakes on the NC, fantastic, best I've ever used plus the extra power is nice Hate the gear change and steering though

[pcmx5]

Pete I have just done my partners Astra convertable top and it has come up a treat,used 303 convertable top cleaner and protector but as Ryans says the protector is a bugger to use.Would endorse the 303 cleaner though, the top is looking black and clean,used a soft nylon brush and couldn't believe the dirt that came out.

Hope Toy is going as well as ever,

Peter.

[toymx5]

Hi Peter !

Just want to confirm 1 thing, what material is the Astra roof ?? I'm not sure if all NC soft tops are the same but my brothers is what I believe they call 'mohair', it's much softer than canvas. I note English forums and part shops talk about 'mohair' but in the US they always refer to 'canvas', is all very confusing for NB owner, we just have vinyl !!

Yes, Toy is going and sounding great ! Just put a set of Jackson Racing leads on her and it made a noticable difference, not sure if that means the factory ones were faulty or if they are really good ?

[pcmx5]

Mohair as far as i know Peter,certainly not canvas and very good quality too.Has quite a lot of pile and really the wash and protectorant took it up about 5 levels,

Cheers,

Peter

[toymx5]

Thanks Peter, I'll get some at the weekend and let you know how I go