White convertible top cleaner recommendation

[KevinW]

Hi all, I have a red 1968 300 convertible with the original white top and I would like to hear what the best way to deep clean it without ruining it. Let me know your thoughts. This is a very well preserved example with 20,000 miles.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

When I purchased my '62 Chrysler 300 Convertible about eight years ago, I tried "Fantastik", 409 etc. and still had some embedded dirt and used a stiff nylon brush. If you cannot get it clean, consider white liquid shoe polish. Dump it in a plastic bowl and use a 1" foam brush. After going one direction, go the opposite direction after the first coat dries. It has never come off and still looks great.

 

[CBODY67]

With age and exposure, the "white" can become a bit dingy that probably no cleaner will remove or bleach out. Hence, the white shoe polish can be a great alternative.

 

[Justin Plant]

Meguire's make a really good vinyl cleaner in their boat line. Might check that out too.

 

[Chocolatetown Imperialism]

I have a similar situation (a brand x all original 73 Indy Pace Car/white/white top) as it left the factory: I’ve scrubbed it with everything. The 2 best things - “green top” sprayway cleaner & (or) soft scrub. I mask off the areas trim/paint/glass that I don’t want the chemicals touching.

Apologies for brand(!) but the top is point!!

 

[xxcarguy]

I brought an older white top on a Fury with Westley white wall tire cleaner.
Basically soap and bleach. Worked for me without damage to top or paint.

 

[Vinny]

I owned a 1973 Charger SE with a white vinyl roof. My cleaner of choice was BORAXO powered hand cleaner. I wet the top, sprinkled it on, then scrubbed it with a nylon scrub brush. Outstanding results. I am not sure if BORAXO exists any more. It is worth a look.

 

[Justin Plant]

It does, a good friend of mine used it as hand cleaner in his shop. Works great and doesn't dry your hands out.

 

[greg yoder]

Hi all, I have a red 1968 300 convertible with the original white top and I would like to hear what the best way to deep clean it without ruining it. Let me know your thoughts. This is a very well preserved example with 20,000 miles.

i use whetleys white wall cleaner, on all my hard to clean things,, it works

 

[Vinny]

It does, a good friend of mine used it as hand cleaner in his shop. Works great and doesn't dry your hands out.

So, it may help nourish the vinyl if it has lanolin to protect skin.

 

[Justin Plant]

So, it may help nourish the vinyl if it has lanolin to protect skin.

I would agree.

 

[michiganhotrod1]

This is brutal, but years ago I used Comet cleanser with bleach on a white top (72 Ford LTD, sorry). It was really dirty and this did a real number on it in a good way. I would now tape sheet plastic to the body to keep that stuff off the paint.
Sounds awful but it worked.
Mark

 

[Vinny]

This is brutal, but years ago I used Comet cleanser with bleach on a white top (72 Ford LTD, sorry). It was really dirty and this did a real number on it in a good way. I would now tape sheet plastic to the body to keep that stuff off the paint.
Sounds awful but it worked.
Mark

I use AJAX, or Comet on whitewall and white letter tires.