Hi Guys - I received this e-mail for Wolfstein's (the ones that make Raggtopp products).

I was under the impression that our top was canvas not nylon/vinyl.

Anybody have a view on this?


________________________________________________
Thank you, for taking the time to inquire about RAGGTOPP products for
your
new Nissan 350Z.

IMPORTANT: Nissan 350Z is a nylon/vinyl top. (see attached
instructions)

You should purchase RAGGTOPP Cleaner and RAGGTOPP Vinyl Protectant
for your
convertible topping. RAGGTOPP Vinyl Protectant contains NO Silicone
and
contains UV protection from Ciba. You can safely use it on interior
appointments and exterior rubber/vinyl trim.

 

This has been debated on various threads with the consenses being that the top is either canvas or a canvas/vinyl composite. The overall recommendation has been to use the canvas treatment product.

Hope this helps.

 

The consensus on not only this but other boards as well is that it is a fabric/canvas top as far as treatment products are concerned. (I think I even read such a statement in the owners manual)

As such, I used 303 Fabric Guard on mine. I had used the same product on canvas on boats in the past and it worked really well and provides good UV protection. Put a coat on my blue top and it darkened it a little but the water sure beads now!!

 

Guys - I received this e-mail from Raggtopp. It sounds pretty credible to me. You be the judge, but they are recommending using vinyl/nylon cleaning products. This may be why the canvas cleaner can spot.
____________________-Aaron:

It's hard to believe your top is nylon/vinyl. It looks and feels like
fabric and is also used on the Honda S2000. We had the same question
about
two weeks ago and the owner and Nissan Dealership were amazed the top
is not
100% fabric. They did not believe me and called Gordon Goodwin with
The
Haartz Corporation at (978) 264-2600 for a second opinion. The
Japanese
created a terrific vinyl top that looks and feels like fabric.
www.haartz.com
Rick
_____________________________________________________

 

Alright, this must be a record for most replys to my own post.

I received this e-mail from Haartz a manufacturer of convertible tops. I think it speaks for itself.
__________________________________________
Dear Aaron,

Thank you for your email and interest in Haartz convertible toppings. The top on the Nissan 350Z is a vinyl top. We do not produce this material as it originates in Japan.

We recommend using RaggTopp Cleaner and Protectant for care and cleaning of all convertible tops. You can get the RaggTopp line from Wolfsteins Pro-Series (www.wolfsteins.com) but be sure to specify the cleaner and protectant for VINYL topping, as they produce separate systems for cloth and vinyl. For more information on recommended care and cleaning, please see our website at www.haartz.com. Click on Consumer Info and then click on Vinyl Top Cleaning.

Sincerely,
The Haartz Corporation
Gordon Goodwin
Sales Manager - Exteriors

 

I am not really certain what to say. The top certainly looks and feels like canvas. I assume you have read the other threads about this, but just in case you haven't, here they are:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....t=canvas+vinyl

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....t=canvas+vinyl

 

Damn it! I accidently ordered the vinyl top kit and then sent it back for the fabric kit. Now I'm completely confused. What we need is some credible information from Nissan.

 

I phoned Nissan Canada today. They recorded my question and said they would forward it to the appropriate group within Nissan. I should expect an answer within the next few days, I will keep the group posted.

I know the top feels like cloth. But this guy from Haartz is adamant that the top is vinyl and he's in the business.

 

OK, I have the definitive answer from Nissan as to what our top is made of and how to care for it.

I received a phone call from Nissan Canada who in turn got in touch with the specific manufacturing division that is the expert on the subject.

I quote "The top is not a canvas top, which by definition would contain a cotton material. The top is a synthetic blend and we cannot recomend a specific treatment product. Wash the top as described in the owners manual (ie. mild soap) and if you are inclined to use a treatment product, use a vinyl cleaner and protectant."

So we have two reputable sources, Nissan and Haartz, that say the top should be treated as vinyl. I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for your persistence!

Vinyl cleaner it is!

 

Thanks for the hard work Max! I guess I'll clean using my RaggTopp Cleaner and use my 303 Aerospace Protectant as a protectant for a while. Anyone want a bottle of RaggTopp fabric top protectant?

 

I just found this in the 350Z manual. Page 7-3 for those who care.

"When the top is quite dirty, wash using a mild detergent, such as a general cleaner especially made for a CLOTH top or a general purpose dish-washing liquid, mised with clean, luckewarm (never hot) water. "


Hmmmm......

 

Man oh man. That's about all I can say.

 

I thought I had read something like that. Can I stop worrying that I put on the wrong **** now???

 

Yes same here.....i purchased the cloth RaggTopp cloth kit AFTER I called and spoke with Nissan to determine what material the top was made of................this was several months ago when I purchased the car....


We need to clarify this ONCE and FOR ALL.....

 

Can someone get a straight answer on this. I have a roadster with 1000 miles and want to make sure my first treatment is the right one and I don't eat my fabric away and have a new moonroof! Who has the right answer....I mean isn't Haartz the company that should know?

 

Does it sound logical that a vinyl top would repel water by nature and a cloth wouldn't? If yes, I might note that the top on my brand new roadster didn't really bead water. Further, when I sprayed it with the 303 Fabric Guard (too heavily as I found out later), it soaked in completly and dried to a very nice, uniform appearance. My gut feel is that these factors tend to tell me I made the right choice and it is a fabric top. Fingers crossed at this point as I commited myself before this thread started.

 

Well, as for me, I'm using the raggtopp products for cloth tops. I didn't think I was confused about this at all until I read this string of feedback. Here's what I think about it: I'll use the cloth top protectant because by the time something needs to be done with the top, I won't even own the car. The cloth stuff works great. The vinyl thing I just don't understand.

 

I've used Raggtop VINYL protectant twice now and it beads somewhat but I expected much better results. The directions for applying are confusing as well since what it says on the bottle and the directions I have seen on Wolfstein's website are different. Is anybody liking Raggtop Vinyl?

 

I'm in the same boat as you. Bought the raggtop vinyl protectant and the general cleaner. You're right, directions on the web says after dry, apply 2-3 coats allowing to dry in between. Directions on bottle mentions just 1 application.

The thing I hate the most about the raggtop vinyl protectant is the sprayer. It doesn't really produce a fine spray mist. As a result, i get a lot of excess residue on the glass, body. I'm seriously thinking of going with the 303 product i've heard about.
Any thoughts?