White Convertible top cleaning

[EZ Nova]

Just wondering what is tge best product to use on a white convertible top that has some black marks on it? Bought a car and would like to get tge top looking better.

Thanks John

[Bill Pritchard]

Years ago when I bought my old survivor 69 Chevelle convertible, I used Westley's Bleche-White on it. You have to make sure to keep surrounding painted areas wet so the Wesley's doesn't dry on the paint. Might also be able to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

[flyingn]

purple power and mr. clean magic eraser.

[prototype]

If you are a preservationist, use a magic eraser with caution.

If it's an original top and has any sheen or gloss left, be prepared for that gloss to be reduced.

Magic erasers are essentially sandpaper, that's why they work so good.

If the top has been replaced and you just want the top to look clean, get at it. Those marks will come out.

[jer]

I use regular dish soap, but these ladies may have some input......

https://youtu.be/GWFGYFPAXRM?t=42

[EZ Nova]

Thanks guys. This is the 70 W30 clone I bought. Top is just showing the marks of a white top does over time.

Will look into the magic eraser, bath or kitchen one to use as I have both. Maybe try some Dawn dish soap. Have to research the Westleys.

Thank you

[Unreal]

Not the same, but I used Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) on my black seatbelts. They were dingy, and discolored, and stiff. I was planning to clean them, and then redye them, but after a couple of rounds of TSP, they were soft and flexible, and back to the original black, so I didn't redye them.
I'd be cautious of any product containing bleach, if the top is sewn with cotton thread. I'd worry about weakening the thread. Not sure, but I think Westleys contains chlorine, too.

[EZ Nova]

purple power and mr. clean magic eraser.

Frank, going to have to check at the shop as I have 15 gallons of "purple" cleaner-degreaser already.

I think I will try a few different things to see what gives the best results without damaging the top or stitching. The top still looks good and is usually down for extended periods of time. But the car is nice for what it is, so just trying to extend the life of a white top as my 5.0 Mustang had the white top and after a couple years it looked the same as this 15 yr old top does now.

Thanks guys

John

[EZ Nova]

This was last fall just before it went 8nto winter hibernation. Also test fitting the new rear rin/tire combo.

[dykstra]

Beautiful Cutlass!!

[John Brown]

The original Westleys WW tire cleaner used sodium metasilicate as the active ingredient. New formulation doesn't have it. The new stuff s u c k s.

[EZ Nova]

Not the same, but I used Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) on my black seatbelts. They were dingy, and discolored, and stiff. I was planning to clean them, and then redye them, but after a couple of rounds of TSP, they were soft and flexible, and back to the original black, so I didn't redye them.
I'd be cautious of any product containing bleach, if the top is sewn with cotton thread. I'd worry about weakening the thread. Not sure, but I think Westleys contains chlorine, too.

So I think what I should do is mix up 1.5 cups of water, 3/4 cup of purple power, 1/4 cup BLUE dawn and a bit of the TSP, say 3 tablespoons and test it on a patch, say under the rear window.

Will mask off the rest of the car with tarps and covers to protect the paint. Maybe put a small sprinkler on for 5/10 mins to really loosen up whatever could be in the top, then go to town with a Magic Eraser and the solutions.

Will keep you guys informed.

Thanks for the input, John

[Steve Shauger]

The original Westleys WW tire cleaner used sodium metasilicate as the active ingredient. New formulation doesn't have it. The new stuff s u c k s.

Now I know why the new stuff really sucks. The original formula was fantastic!

[turbo69bird]

Now I know why the new stuff really sucks. The original formula was fantastic!

Yup I agree o used to use westleys on my 69 bird convertible back in high school whites white too you ever did see .
Recently I tried it on my 69 bird convertible and it did NOTHING. Water did better .
So I used bleach and then after changed the Ph back with as I recall Baking soda , liked it up at the time .
That didn’t touch the black stuff either .

On boat hulls for that river spotting we use a thing called power 1 stuff is amazing. But idk if it would work on a top. And anything aluminum it’ll turn white . You litterally touch it to the hull and the staining goes away. Instantly.

https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Youth-Remover-Bottom-Cleaner/dp/B0014DP5JI/ref=asc_df_B0014DP5JI?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127027906580&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726553990400&psc=1

[black69]

I too thought something was different as far as results with Westleys. It has always been my go to cleaner but its just not the same as it was. Dang. Good to know what changed in the formula.