Soft top fading
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Hawaii
Originally Posted by zrdude
There was a thread here awhile back with some top expert guy explaining that the top is actually cloth which has been "fused" together with vinyl, so actually everyone is right, it is both "real cloth" and also "gen-u-ine" nagahide!
When I had a rip in my top I could clearly see the fabric "threads" in the area where the tear was. If you touch and look closely at the top you'll also see there is a fine "fuzz" on the top which is not vinyl or plastic threads, but real live cloth. Our top is actually pretty high tech and one of the best quality top materials out there... Our top would never "crack" like pure vinyl would if left sitting out in the sun for too long so I don't think you really need to protect it with anything. Just wash it with soap and water like the manual says and you should be fine.... And try not to park in the hot sun too much...
When I had a rip in my top I could clearly see the fabric "threads" in the area where the tear was. If you touch and look closely at the top you'll also see there is a fine "fuzz" on the top which is not vinyl or plastic threads, but real live cloth. Our top is actually pretty high tech and one of the best quality top materials out there... Our top would never "crack" like pure vinyl would if left sitting out in the sun for too long so I don't think you really need to protect it with anything. Just wash it with soap and water like the manual says and you should be fine.... And try not to park in the hot sun too much...
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 187
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From: san jose, california
Originally Posted by zrdude
I was just quoting the below picture from the manual that says you can use "mild dish washing detergent" or other soap made specifically for CLOTH tops... https://my350z.com/forum/attachment....chmentid=76365
I don't understand why some people insist the manual, and hence Nissan, is wrong and that it would tell us to do something that's actually harmful to our tops. I mean, if it was a 100% pure vinyl top, they would tell us to use a vinyl cleaner/protectant instead, no?....
I don't understand why some people insist the manual, and hence Nissan, is wrong and that it would tell us to do something that's actually harmful to our tops. I mean, if it was a 100% pure vinyl top, they would tell us to use a vinyl cleaner/protectant instead, no?....
Not to beat this thread to death, but I also think the owners manual states to use a cleaner designed for cloth because it would be milder than most off the shelf vinyl cleaner.
There are vinyl cleaners for soft tops (which work well), but I think 95% of owners out there would purchase the wrong type of vinyl cleaner (designed for tires, bumpers etc), which would be abrasive and could damage the top.
Like others have already said, both cleaners work fine.
There are vinyl cleaners for soft tops (which work well), but I think 95% of owners out there would purchase the wrong type of vinyl cleaner (designed for tires, bumpers etc), which would be abrasive and could damage the top.
Like others have already said, both cleaners work fine.
Do you guys actually clean your tops? I was thinking about this and since owning my Z (1.5 years) I have never cleaned the top with the cleaner I purchased. All I do is hose it off and apply the Raggtopz (sp.?) protectant.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 195
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
Originally Posted by maxpowers
Do you guys actually clean your tops? I was thinking about this and since owning my Z (1.5 years) I have never cleaned the top with the cleaner I purchased. All I do is hose it off and apply the Raggtopz (sp.?) protectant.
I clean with the Raggtop cleaner often, sometimes even using the Zaino car wash. I work at a PVC Pipe Manufacturer, which I have small particles of PVC Resin on my car everyday, which must be removed or they can damage the top and my cars paint job.
I never used soap or any other kind of cleaner on my Eclipse Spyders' top. But, it had an actual cloth top. Soap reside left in a cloth top can rot the material. However the Z whether all vinyl or partial vinyl, is still vinyl that you will be cleaning and protecting, and will not rot or be damaged by using a mild soap.
Originally Posted by gps321
Where to buy "Raggtop" cleaner?
Look for a Tru Hardware store. I bought the protectant and it works great.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Originally Posted by gps321
Where to buy "Raggtop" cleaner?
I purchased mine here:
http://www.properautocare.com/raggtopp.html
They are a one stop shopping for all your car care needs. They have great customer service and ship pretty fast.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Los Angeles
303!
I use 303 protectant on my top for the last 1.5 years. I've been VERy happy with it. Since I have a PPW Roadster, my top is blue. The 303 makes the blue color seem rich without actually darkening it and helps the water bead up when I wash it. No problems at all, only great results. . . it also works great on the interior. As for washing the top, I only use water.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 216
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From: Southern California
For the record, its cotton canvas coated in vinyl for water proofing.
Edit: i didnt see the other post by ZRdude, yes he is correct its cotton fused with vinyl to make it strong and waterproof.
Edit: i didnt see the other post by ZRdude, yes he is correct its cotton fused with vinyl to make it strong and waterproof.
Last edited by MyNismoRoadster; Aug 31, 2005 at 10:58 PM.
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