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Vinyl Top Protectant

Started by Joe V, September 04, 2018, 03:56:37 PM

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Joe V

Full original vinyl top in excellent shape on my Brougham that I need to protect from the Florida sun.  What products do you use and have found to work the best?

Series75

iMHO there is only one .....GM Preservatone, vinyl top dressing.    Tough to find, if you have problems securing, I have a couple gallons.   Tom

jdemerson

Just in case you don't find GM Preservatone... While I don't have experience with a Vinyl roof, in general I am very happy with Meguiar's Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner / Conditioner.  I have used it for many years on vinyl, rubber door and window gaskets and more, and a vinyl convertible top. It keeps them soft and pliable -- in some cases for 25 years or more -- just like new.

John Emerson
1952 Cadillac sedan 6219X
John Emerson
Middlebury, Vermont
CLC member #26790
1952 Series 6219X
http://bit.ly/21AGnvn

fishnjim

This was one of the original uses for Armor-All, acrylic based emulsion film coating.   It came out shortly after the vinyl top craze hit.   There's several versions/vendors now.   
I found though, back in the day, once you put it on, you were stuck putting it on, as it'd haze/dull up and wash off.   
If it's in really good original shape, keep it clean and out of the sun as much as possible.  Don't use anything on it.   
If it's already dull, then a coating/preservative is about the only option to make it "shine".   They tend to get a dull surface over time.   
If it's faded then it won't help anyway and best to replace.
Acrylic based materials are about the best at resisting UV, so look for them on the label.   Most of the newer materials are good/better than before when they first came out.
Stay away from silicones or any solvent based materials.   
I don't own one and haven't detailed any since the late 70s.   Once they figured out they could avoid primer, they tended to rust under the lining especially around the rain gutters and window wells.   So some years lasted better than others.

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

An acrylic polymer based liquid is the way to go.  That's
what GM's original Preservatone was.  Most of these
products that were marketed specifically for vinyl tops
are long gone.  You can guess why.

However, acrylic based liquids are easy to find, there
are a number of floor wax formulations (for applications
on vinyl flooring) that actually work quite well on
vinyl tops.  The original "Turtle Wax" vinyl top sealer
was basically a version of a floor polish formulation.

I've been using such a product for years and am happy
with the results.

I no longer use Armour All as I did 30 years ago as it
contains silicone emulsions.  It attracts dirt as a result.
I never used it for vinyl tops, mainly for interior items.

Mike


1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Jon S

#5
Artex was the standard used by the professionals for years. Turtle also made a great product. I still use them on my Lincoln vinyl top.
Jon

1958 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
1973 Lincoln Continental Coupe
1981 Corvette
2004 Mustang GT

The Tassie Devil(le)

The only thing I would use "A" on is tyres, as these can be easily replaced.

If your dash doesn't have cracks, it soon will, and if it does have cracks, they WILL get bigger.

Plus, you will end up with never-ending Vinyl "smoke" film on the windscreen.   Plus, use it on the steering wheel, and you will lose control as your hands will be very slippery.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Scot Minesinger

First is keep the car out of the sun.  BTW what year and model Cadillac?
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on September 04, 2018, 09:02:45 PM
The only thing I would use "A" on is tyres, as these can be easily replaced.

If your dash doesn't have cracks, it soon will, and if it does have cracks, they WILL get bigger.

Plus, you will end up with never-ending Vinyl "smoke" film on the windscreen.   Plus, use it on the steering wheel, and you will lose control as your hands will be very slippery.

Bruce. >:D

Bruce:

I'm not following your logic here -- the subject under
discussion is vinyl tops -- not interiors.  I did not mention
anything in my post about recommendations for products
to use on the dash, steering whel, etc.

Yes, your right in that you DO have to be careful what
you use on the interior to avoid "fogging" meaning deposits
on the insides of the window glass.

Mike




1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

64\/54Cadillacking

303 is one of the best for UV ray protection, but it doesn’t leave a really shiny appearance like say Vinylex.
Currently Rides:
1964 Sedan Deville
1954 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special
1979 Lincoln Mark V Cartier Designer Series
2007 Lexus LS 460L (extended wheelbase edition)

Previous Rides:
1987 Brougham D' Elegance
1994 Fleetwood Bro
1972 Sedan Deville
1968 Coupe Deville
1961 Lincoln Continental
1993 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series
1978 Lincoln Continental ( R.I.P.) 1978-2024 😞

The Tassie Devil(le)

Quote from: Mike Josephic  CLC #3877 on September 04, 2018, 10:42:22 PM
Bruce:  I'm not following your logic here -- the subject under discussion is vinyl tops -- not interiors. 
Mike 
That's okay, and I understand.   I was just advising about problems with a product that has been mentioned.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

T J Lankes

I've used 3M Leather & Vinyl Cleaner / Restorer: https://www.autogeek.net/3mleatvincle.html 

and

303 Automotive Protectant:  https://www.autogeek.net/303-automotive-protectant.html

Both are good and provide UV protection

Cape Cod Fleetwood

My vinyl roof is a disaster and slated for replacement this winter.
What I'm using on it now is Mother's VLR, heavily. And its nice and shiny.
I wouldn't use any Armor All product on anything, JMHO.
YMMV

\m/
Laurie
There are 2 kinds of cars in the world, Cadillac and everything else....

The Present -1970 Fleetwood Brougham

The Past -
1996 Deville Concours
1987 Sedan De Ville "Commonwealth Edition"
1981 Coupe De Ville (8-6-4)
1976 Sedan De Ville
1975 Sedan De Ville

The Daily Driver and work slave -
2008 GMC Acadia SLT *options/all

Jon Hunter

Speaking from experience, armor all takes the color out/off the vinyl top. It did on my bought new 1984 Delta 88. No problems on my 1968 Galaxy 500 but never used it on the vinyl top after problems on the Olds. I use Meguiars now. Mothers or 303 should be ok too.
Jon Hunter
Lifetime Member
1965 DeVille Convertible
1967 Eldorado
2005 Deville
2006 Escalade ESV Platinum

jdemerson

The most important issue may be what NOT to use. I agree with Laurie that I would not use Armor All on anything; the last time I used it was in the late 60s and it was shiny when first applied.

I have always had excellent experiences with Meguiar's products. Same for Mother's. And I've used 303 with good results too. As mentioned, I don't have specific experience with a vinyl roof, but do with a vinyl convertible top.

John
John Emerson
Middlebury, Vermont
CLC member #26790
1952 Series 6219X
http://bit.ly/21AGnvn

Joe V

#15
Quote from: Scot Minesinger on September 04, 2018, 09:17:50 PM
First is keep the car out of the sun.  BTW what year and model Cadillac?

My car is an garage parked 81 Brougham.  My concern is the hot Florida summer sun since the vinyl is in really good shape and still soft.  I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible so I'm mostly interested in UV protection without any shine.  I don't use Armor All on anything. 

jims427400

This thread has sparked a question about my original "convertible" top. Would I use the same products to preserve and protect my top as a vinyl top?

Jim

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

I recently tried a new product from Meguiars -- their
#40 Vinyl Cleaner & Conditioner.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Vinyl-Rubber-Cleaner-Conditioner/dp/B001B67U9G/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V0VGRCRY9KG0EGFX5GE6

I just did the interior on my '73 Eldorado a few days ago
and was pleasantly surprised.  It cleans, leaves a nice sheen
(not too shiny) and no sticky film.  It supposedly has very
good UV protection as well.  So far, so good.

It's worth a look.  It should work well on a vinyl convertible
top as well.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

INTMD8

Quote from: 64CaddieLacky on September 04, 2018, 11:05:10 PM
303 is one of the best for UV ray protection, but it doesn’t leave a really shiny appearance like say Vinylex.

This is what I use, and prefer it because it isn't gloss.

Joe V

303 was the ticket.  Put it on this weekend and the top looks great without any cheap looking shine.