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dooboy	newbie question, what do you guys use for cleaning your soft top?
CTProwler	I just clean it with car wash when i do the rest of the Car. 2 Times a year I spray on 303 fabric Guard protectant. ------------------
Tytanium-K	quote: Originally posted by CTProwler: I just clean it with car wash when i do the rest of the Car. 2 Times a year I spray on 303 fabric Guard protectant. "303 fabric Guard protectant" available at any auto parts? ------------------ Tytanium-K, Man of Metal -- '99 RED, Mostly Stock!
ALLEY CAT	Ken - http://www.303products.com/techinfo/automotive/convertible_roofs1.htm ------------------ Call 911 - there is a Prowler in my garage.... Y2K Silver Millennium Edition and '01 Orange Rolex Edition LARRY SALZMAN - MESA, ARIZONA
superdoppler	quote: "303 fabric Guard protectant" available at any auto parts?[/B] I buy it at a place called West Marine. It looks like they have it available online for about 12 bucks at http://www.westmarine.com
idive	Check your local boating supply store for 303 products. Call around first as not all carry it. To clear up any misperceptions, there is a fabric guard, and there is a protectant. (Two different items.) You do not want to put protectant on your top!
toys	I hand wash mine with sudsy car wash No rag just my bare hand and lots running water then blow dry it with my 6.5 hp shop vac and concentrator nozzel, and a lint roller from time to time if there is any pollen or dust or fuzz Ball's on it toys
Tytanium-K	Never heard of it--but just ordered 16oz bottle~WTH. ------------------ Tytanium-K, Man of Metal -- '99 RED, Mostly Stock!
GRROWL	AAaand, after 4 or 5 or 7 or more years when regular cleaning and 303 High Tech Fabric Guard doesn't do it anymore: quote: Originally posted by GRROWL: This is a preliminary review, but I am IMPRESSED. After 4 years of year-round driving, GRROWL's top didn't have the "snap" any more and was starting to gray. 303 High-Tech Fabric Guard certainly does the trick to keep it waterproof, but was no longer bringing back the "new" black appearance. After my usual (overly deep, some might say BORDERLINE anal) research, I ordered the Renovo Soft Top Reviver from Nick at Detailers Paradise ( www.detailersparadise.com ). WOW!!! Products I used: Washed with 303 Convertible Top Cleaner Washed with Dove Dishwashing Liquid (also step 1 of Zaino Process) Renovo Soft Top Reviver 303 High-Tech Fabric Guard (HTFG) I thought I would need 2 coats of Renovo, but it looked so good (dark and even) I only used one. It paints on with a 2" paint brush, have a wet cloth around (microfiber?) to clean up any splatter. I will try the BT161 "dancing water drops" test for the HTFG to decide if it needs a second coat. Right now, I am IMPRESSED. IT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY LIKE NEW! MAJOR RECOMMENDATION: For this process, or even just a spritz of HTFG (or similar) use a cheap 9' x 12' plastic drop cloth (the one I used cost under a buck). With the top down, unfold with the 12' dimension side to side and lock the front edge under the windshield wipers. Clamp the front latches: Flip up the rear of the top. Slit the drop cloth at the rear top support and feed over the deck lid. Seat the rear pins into the decklid: I used blue painters tape to mask off the rear window and along the side weatherstripping (I had the windows halfway down so I could get to the front latches). The blue tape is: Scotch Blue Painter's Tape Multi-surfaces, 14-day clean removal 1 in x 60 yds 4 rolls for $10.00 at Costco Everything in the picture below (with the exception of the Porter Cable (PC) Dual Action (DA) Polisher) came from Nick at Detailers Paradise. If I had it to do over again, I would buy the whole package deal there that includes the PC DA polisher, pads and polishes. The Renovo isn't shown on the website, but he got it in 2 days (just send a note through the website for pricing and delivery time). -GRROWL
TBlatnica	Good data on the renovo. I remember seeing it on a Lotus Elan site somewhere, the guy showed half the top done and half not done. On a side note, I believe they make a Renovo in Dark Blue as well for all you Mulholland guys out there. ------------------ Tony Blatnica
idive	For the back window cover, I traced it out on paper and used that as a pattern to cut out a piece of cardboard and popped it over the window. And it's reuseable! For you locals, I have enough cardboard to make about 3 or 4 more. Could probably get more. I picked up what I have at Sam's (free). For those newbies doing their tops in 303, make sure you mask your car good for overspray and allow PLENTY of time for it to dry good. Get caught in rain before this stuff dries and you'll regret it! Also do your best not to get the fabric guard on your rubber seals.
GRROWL	Yes, TB, it's available in blue (and also tan/brown): http://www.convertiblecar.com/products/reviver.php ID, agree with everything you say, but the tape over the back window only took a couple of minutes, and you just throw it out when you're done. Also suggest using the tape over the weatherstripping; and, rather than being careful, for a buck and 5 minutes, use the disposable dropcloth EVEN JUST FOR THE 303 HTFG. The Renovo is absolutely amazing, and the 303 keeps it waterproof and looking good for quite a while between Renovo treatments. -GRROWL
dooboy	thank you for all your replys, you guys sure know a lot .
fmaturi	I just got the 303 fabric guard and cleaner for the convertible top on my Prowler. I want to know if anyone has used the 303 with a brush or roller instead of spraying it? It seems like it would be easier to just roll or brush it on...and not worry about overspray and taping the whole car up.
Beachkat2	Personally, I think you would apply too much using a brush. Given the cost of the stuff, it's probably better to take a few minutes to put some plastic over your car. Spraying would give a more consistent coverage also imo.
padroo	The easiest way to protect the car paint while applying 303 is to raise the top and lay the plastic under it and then close the top over the plastic, no masking at all. Use a thin drop cloth, very flexible.
mysticmountainranch	Has anyone tried RaggTopp 2141 Fabric Protectant on their top?
cstall	I use a product called Surf City Garage Top End. Buy it at WalMart. Spray on, work in with a soft brush, wipe off. One application and your top will be as black as it can be - amazing stuff! Just noticed this thread started 15 years ago - LOL! This message has been edited by cstall on 05-15-2019 at 08:54 PM
Canadian Prowler	Autoglym convertible top kit: http://www.autoglym.com/convertible-soft-top-clean-protect-complete-kit This message has been edited by Canadian Prowler on 05-16-2019 at 10:18 PM