[net.auto] Treatment for Aging Vinyl Top

emmyl@azure.UUCP (Emmy Lou Roe) (05/23/84)

What is a good agent to use for making the vinyl top of a car
look like new?  (After cleaning, of course.)

piety@hplabs.UUCP (Bob Piety) (05/23/84)

Although the health aspects of this are questionable, it worked great:

I scrubbed my white vinyl top with a scrub brush soaked in methanol.
Apparently, the methanol dissolved a thin layer of vinyl, that has imbedded
dirt & discoloration, off.  The 6-year old top looked like new!

After this treatment, I "sealed" the vinyl with some kind of commercial
"luster-restorer", I don't remember the brand.

Bob

rls@ihuxf.UUCP (Richard Schieve) (05/24/84)

I know that there are a million or so wonder products out there
for the treatment of vinyl tops but here is the method the cheap-
skates at the used car lot, I once worked at, taught me.  First
the top needs to be very clean, if not the dirt just gets sealed
in.  Use a stiff brush to get in the cracks, and a cleaner like
fantastic followed up by a soap and water clean up.  Don't allow
the fantastic to dry anywhere as it can leave permanent stains.
The clean top usually has a very dull look when the cleaned top is
dry.  To bring back the shine use a damp rag to apply a regular
floor wax to the top, pour it right on and spread it around evenly
with the wet rag.  I have found that acrylic waxes, like Future,
seen to work the best and do not yellow.  Just leave it set until
dry and the job should be complete.

This procedure also works very well on tires if you feel like
taking the time to do it.  

				Rick Schieve

lute@abnjh.UUCP (J. Collymore) (05/25/84)

I would recommend you get a bottle of ARMOR ALL.  This is a vinyl protectant.
Very easy to use, just spray, and wipe with a cloth.  It can be purchased in
any hardware or auto-parts store.


					Jim Collymore