I was waxing my Z the other day and got a little wax on the side of my top. What can I use to get the wax off my top? I was going to try a little rubbing alcohol and see if that works. Maybe viniger and H2O? Drives me bonkers when I see the spot!

 

DOnt feel bad, I have wax all over the bottom rubber strip of the hatch. Anyways, I would like to know too. bump

 

Happened to me too. Tried all sorts of things and got most of it out but there is still a little bit. I guess it embeds itself into the tiny little holes, and short of cleaning it out with a soft toothbrush I am at a loss. I too would appreciate some suggestions.

 

I'm not sure how to get it off without chancing that you'd mess up the top. Anything I know of to remove it with is a solvent of some sort - denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol, etc. But I really don't know what those things would do to the top.

I solved that problem by only waxing with the top stowed under the cover. That way I don't have to be quite so precise!

 

dude, don't sweat it. Think about driving in the rain, all that crap on the ground mixed with rain water, kicked up by the tire and splashed all over your car. That's oil, radiator fluid, exhaust residuce, animal dung, animal carcass, etc etc that's all over your car and you're going to worry about wax?

 

I wouldn't try any solvent like alcohol. If you are using actual wax, I would try some hot water, it should soften up the wax. Also use a brush designed for the soft top.

ps - I hate getting that damn animal carcus off, its a bitc!.

 

This is from the Meguiar's web-site...


The best way to remove wax from vinyl or rubber is to use Meguiar's #39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner. #39 will emulsify and breakdown the dry wax residue. If you have a tough time locating #39, any all-purpose cleaner should also do the job. Agitating the cleaner by gently scrubbing the surface with a soft bristle brush, like a toothbrush, can help break up the wax
Once you have cleaned the vinyl and/or rubber surface, bring back the natural color and help protect it with an application of a vinyl/rubber conditioner and protectant like NXT Tech Protectant, Natural Shine, M-40 Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner, or Gold Class Trim Detailer.

 

Ok after much trial and error...I found something that worked.


Nail Polish Remover (acetone). Now, before you all run to the wife and ask for her bottle here are a couple of tips.

1.Have a old toothbrush handy.
2.Don't do it outside. I did mine in my garage.
3.Go easy.
4.Have some water handy.
5.Towel to blot.

What I did is first test a small area just to make sure it would not strip out the color from my top. I dipped the brush in the polish remover and worked the area for a few seconds. Be careful not to get on you pait. It will strip your wax. I then blotted the area with a cloth and rinsed with some cool water.

Wax is gone!

Feel free to send me cash for my idea!! Don't sue me if your top fades! LOL

 

Just wash it off with a mild detergent and in the future, wax your car with the top down and you won't get any wax on the top.

 

Hmmm... Becarefull on this one. I won't use Nail Polish Remover on my top. It may cause more damage than the wax you try to remove. According to some extended discussion last year on various sites, the conclusion was our top is cloth with a thin layer of vinyl backing. In the owner manual, it says: "Do not use strong household soap, strong chemical detergents, gasoline, solvents or any other similar material."

 

I realize that but I only used a small amount and then washed off the top. The one thing I noticed is that the ZR doesn't have a "typical" rag top. It is almost like a plastic-like material. My dad has a Boxster and it has a "traditional" rag top, made out of fabric.

FYI