I recently bought a bottle of Ragg Topp's Vinyl and Fabric Cleaner. Is that enough or do I need to order a bottle of Protectant too? I guess what I'm asking is will the Cleaner only keep my top in good shape or is that just to get the dirt out? I know, I know it says "cleaner" but I just wanna make sure.

 

It will clean the top and leave it bare, you'll need to protect it with something afterwards. This is similar to claying and/or polishing your paint. When you're done you need to apply a wax or sealant to protect the fresh surface.

 

That's what I thought but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks alot.

 

You're welcome. If it's any consolation to you I'm currently using Raggtop Vinyl protectant and I LOVE it. Leaves the top super black without feeling greasy. I would recommend this product over 303 when treating your top.

EDIT: I used Raggtop cleaner and Raggtop Vinyl to protectant, but these steps work for any products used to treat the top.

As far as cleaning your top and then applying the protectant, I used el-cheapo walmart microfiber applicators. You know, the kind that will never touch my paint in a million years. These things only get assigned to top and tire detail jobs.

Anyways, I sprayed the top down with cleaner really well, don't soak the top with the cleaner but use it liberally. Then use the el-cheapo applicator to rub the cleaner into the surface of the top. When you're done cleaning, rinse the top with water and then wipe it try with a towel.

After wiping the water off the top I let it sit in the sun just to make double sure that things are nice and dry, park the car in the sun for 10 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can just dry the top in bright sunshine and this will speed the drying process.

Once it's dry take a fresh el-cheapo applicator, walk away from your car, and spray the applicator with your vinyl protectant (do this away from the car otherwise you'll get protectant overspray on the paint when spraying the applicator). Walk back over to the car and start rubbing the protectant into the top, you'll immediately notice that treated areas of the top are darker than freshly cleaned areas. I usually do two passes on the top just to make sure that enough protectant has been rubbed in. I let the protectant "bake" on the top in the sun for another 30 minutes or so while I do other detailing chores (cleaning wheels/tires/wheel wells). I then go back over the top with a towel and wipe any excess protectant off the top. You're done.

P.S. Don't be surprised if your sex appeal goes thru the roof afterwards. The ladies love a man with a dark top.

 

Is it OK if the cleaner overspray gets on my car? I know the protectant is bad, but what about the cleaner. BTW what do you prefer to use to clean your wheel wells? I have some Honda all-purpose polish that I got from the dealership, I use it on my wheels and I love it. It seems to repel a lot of the dust and pollen so they stay shiny from wash to wash.


I can agree with the ladies lovin the dark top

 

Your other post about applying the protectant to the top should be answered in my previous post in this thread. If you're looking to avoid lint use the cheap micro fiber applicators that I mention, you can buy them at walmart.

I wouldn't get the cleaner overspray on the car but who cares? Right after you use the cleaner on the top you're supposed to rinse it off, this usually means "car wash" for most of us. So whatever overspray was on the car is removed minutes later when you're rinsing the top (besides, the cleaner rinses off the top and runs down onto your paint anyways so it'd better be harmless!).

My wheels are usually really clean anyways, so I just give them a quick wipedown with my favorite QD. I Zaino my wheels so they beed water for months on end and brake dust doesn't stick.