Vinyl Top "Conditioner"

[Big_John]

I think I finally found something to use on the vinyl top on my 300L.

Some background... The top is in relatively good shape, I think it was replaced somewhere in its life. The problem was I couldn't get it to look decent. When I first got it, the vinyl looked a little dull and dingy.

The best stuff I ever found for a vinyl top was a Turtle Wax paste product, but they haven't made that in many years. Without that, I tried my usual products, starting with the 303 cleaner followed by the 303 protectant. With that, the best I could do was a streaky appearance that just looked awful. I had better success with Meguiar Ultimate Black trim restorer, but that was hard to apply and I still wasn't real happy.

I spotted a new Collinite product called 855 Leather & Vinyl wax, so I bought a bottle. I tried it first on my truck tonneau cover after washing it with some Chemical Guys convertible cleaner. I was impressed, went on nice and pulled a lot of dirt out of the freshly washed cover.

So, without any prep other than a quick wipe down to get the pollen off, I tried it on the top.

There's still just a touch of streaking. I think I want to try cleaning the top better, perhaps with Dawn soap or something like that and get all the old products off and then apply the Collinite, but it looks a lot better even without the prep. The truck sits outside, so we'll see how long it lasts, but if it's like any of the other Collinite products, I'll bet it lasts a while. We'll see.

Leather & Vinyl Wax - Conditioning Treatment | Collinite Since 1936
You can buy this on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JK4CS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ayilar]

Thank you for posting!

FWIW, I have had very good results with the 303 Cleaner and 303 Protectant -- transformed the top of my 1996 Cadillac FWB from a dull gray back to the original dark cherry. @david hill gets the credit for the cleaning and application -- two years later, it still looks good.

 

[Big_John]

Thank you for posting!

FWIW, I have had very good results with the 303 Cleaner and 303 Protectant -- transformed the top of my 1996 Cadillac FWB from a dull gray back to the original dark cherry. @david hill gets the credit for the cleaning and application -- two years later, it still looks good.

Yes, I have used the 303 products for many years. It's great stuff and I use on the interior on all the cars. I was surprised when it didn't do the job for me on the top.

 

[ayilar]

Yes, I have used the 303 products for many years. It's great stuff and I use on the interior on all the cars.

Indeed, I got the 303 on your recommendation. Thank you again!

 

[Mr onetwo]

I went to the auto detailing forums and there were a few mentions of this particular product.Pretty much every one raved about it. Autogeek.net has it for $11.43 but it is out of stock. Collinite Sapphire Leather And Vinyl Treatment Wax No. 855 16 oz I may have to try it on my convertible top to help preserve it.

 

[Boydsdodge]

I have used a few products over the years, but my favourite by far today is the Jay Leno's Garage Tire and Trim care. The top on Tux along with the tires look fantastic.

 

[Big_John]

To follow up on this...

As I said, I applied Collinite 855 to my tonneau cover on my Ranger 3 1/2 months ago and it looked nice. I happened to think about it today and I have to say it still looks pretty good. Normally, this wouldn't be a nice black after a summer

This truck sits outside all the time right in the sun and rain. In my neck of the woods, we get heavy yellow pollen during the summer too. It gets run through the car wash often too.

Like about every other Collinite product, I'm pleased with the results. I'm probably going to reapply it before winter when I give the truck its last wax before winter.

 

[cbarge]

Thanks John for sharing.
I willbe the guinea pig for white vinyl tops.
As soon as the garage is finished, all C's need to be washed,waxed, and detailed..
SInce I lost my storage back in April, they have been rigoring the elements outside, lol.

 

[Boydsdodge]

Thanks John for sharing.
I willbe the guinea pig for white vinyl tops.
As soon as the garage is finished, all C's need to be washed,waxed, and detailed..
SInce I lost my storage back in April, they have been rigoring the elements outside, lol.

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View attachment 681415

Sorry for the Hijac. I found this pic of your Monaco out at the Van Nuys Spring Fling in 22. Thought you would like to see it.

 

[Big_John]

One other product I used that won't be much use on our old Mopars, but most of us have newer cars with plastic.

My Ranger has black trim and I had been using Meguiar's Ultimate Black, but it lasted maybe a month and a half before it turned gray and looked awful. After reading a bit and watching some videos, I decided to try Ceracoat "Ceramic Trim Restoration" kit. It's a wipe on product and was pretty easy to use. You do need to wear gloves when applying.

This was done about the same time as the vinyl tonneau and again, sits outside etc.. It still looks great after a summer. I think I'm going to not touch it until next spring and see how long it lasts. Amazon.com

 

[Bulldogchesty1]

Thanks Big John I will try them both.

 

[Big_John]

And now for a product that was a waste of time and money...

The plastic headlights had gotten kind of cloudy on the Ranger. So, I spent $15 on a Meguiar's "Two Step Restoration" kit. The kit came with an abrasive pad, like a very fine Scotch-Brite and some clear spray. I see it's up to $24 now. Amazon.com

Did both lights per the instructions. One light was too far gone and since the adjusters were broken, I just bought a new one ($28). The other seemed to be improved and looked OK. Not great, just OK. Bolted the new light in along with the one I worked on... It lasted about a week before it looked almost as bad as when I started. With one new headlight, the difference was very noticeable and I just ordered another new light like I should have done in the first place.

Sorry, no before pics...

 

[Zezima]

And now for a product that was a waste of time and money...

The plastic headlights had gotten kind of cloudy on the Ranger. So, I spent $15 on a Meguiar's "Two Step Restoration" kit. The kit came with an abrasive pad, like a very fine Scotch-Brite and some clear spray. I see it's up to $24 now. Amazon.com

Did both lights per the instructions. One light was too far gone and since the adjusters were broken, I just bought a new one ($28). The other seemed to be improved and looked OK. Not great, just OK. Bolted the new light in along with the one I worked on... It lasted about a week before it looked almost as bad as when I started. With one new headlight, the difference was very noticeable and I just ordered another new light like I should have done in the first place.

Sorry, no before pics...

Sylvania tends to consistently make the best headlight restoration kits, which makes sense since they also make headlights. The vast majority of the competitors tend to be pretty useless by comparison, surprisingly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK

 

[cbarge]

Sylvania tends to consistently make the best headlight restoration kits, which makes sense since they also make headlights. The vast majority of the competitors tend to be pretty useless by comparison, surprisingly.

http://[URL][URL]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK

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Sometimes you have to do some homework to justify what is more cost effective.
If a headlamp assembly is 24.00, the time and cost of " restoring" a headlamp is not justified.
Sure if the headlamp is in the hundred$$, gamble the money on a resto kit and hope for the best.

Speaking from experience in an auto shop for 20 years,
offering a headlamp buffing service,
Buffing composite headlamps is a band-aid.
6 months down the road after buffing they get oxidized again.
With aftermarket suppliers like Dorman and others offered by on- line ordering headlamps have come down in price over the past few years.