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Sportsroof Vinyl Top Protectant

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havanariviera View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26-August-2015 at 11:32AM
Hi, I am new to the forum, I have a 72 GTS fastback with a black vinyl top. I'm looking for recommendations as to which product(s) to use and processes for cleaning it, to protect it, etc. Any feedback would be much appreciated. note: it's not really dirty, and is kept in the garage - so the sun exposure is infrequent, but I want to maximize look, longevity, and integrity. Thanks!
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mcford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mcford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 5:59AM
For protectant use Aerospace 303 http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

for cleaners, i would think a convertible top cleaner would be ok.  You might also try mr clean erasers.  just test a small spot but it worked wonders on the vinyl top on my 74 cougar xr7.  turtlewax used to make a product years ago but no longer does.  On my Pewter 72 sport with black vinyl top, i used a dye for truck bed liners and it worked great and looked fantastic even after a couple of years.  Autozone carried it, I don't know if they still do. I have a spare kit i picked up if you can't find it.
Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote havanariviera Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 6:18AM
Thanks, I am going to order the protectant you recommended. I don't think I need a dye as it still has great color; I think the 303 should do it. Originally, I was going to try: http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g15812-ultimate-black/
but I wasn't sure what to expect out of the product. Thanks again for the advice.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 10:07AM
Don't use shoe polish...
It's wrong...just wrong...
(I would put the little giggling smiley thingeys here, but sadly, I've seen people do it...)
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
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How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 12:43PM
Originally posted by Big Bird Big Bird wrote:

Don't use shoe polish...
It's wrong...just wrong...
(I would put the little giggling smiley thingeys here, but sadly, I've seen people do it...)
LOL ATF works good too... until you go down a dirt roadConfused
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 12:44PM
welcome! post some pics Big smile
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
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77 CELICA CUSTOM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mcford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 2:54PM

Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mcford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-August-2015 at 2:56PM
Worked great, stayed on even after running it through automatic car washes.


Mike
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havanariviera View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote havanariviera Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 2:20AM
Hi Mike, thanks for the information. The 3M product seems like a great option for restoring the color if faded; as mentioned, the color still looks good on mine. I'm hoping to find a means of keeping it that way. Great looking car by the way, mine is the same trim level, scheme, etc., but in black with the standard black vinyl bench seat. 
Let me take this thread in another direction - there is a bulge or indentation (depending how one characterizes it) beneath the roof line on the vinyl top as shown. My car has the exact same characteristic; is this due to how the top was installed at the factory? I thought it was something unique to my car that needed to be corrected at some point. However, seeing your car is making me think otherwise. Thoughts from anyone would be appreciated. Thanks again!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 2:55AM
If you are referring to the "indentation" in the roof that the arrows in the picture below are pointing to... Then I will say that that is where the roof was welded to the car body, originally at the ford factory.
 
Some people have removed the vinyl from the roof and filled in that area with body filler or other products to make it smooth and "Flush" with the roof.
 
But as long as it does not have any rust in that area, most people leave that part alone.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 3:10AM
Most of the gran torinos have the roofs welded to the body in that same location, but sometimes you can not see it because that indentation is sometimes filled in with body filler, or some other product originally from the ford factory.
In the picture below, you cannot see the indentation. This is how most sports roof gran torinos (without the vinyl roof covering) looked when they originally left the ford factories.
 


Edited by dave302 - 27-November-2015 at 10:00AM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 3:58AM
In the pictures below, you can see where the roof is welded to the car body.
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dave302 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 3:59AM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 4:05AM
Sometimes when you remove the vinyl roof covering and/or the roof trim and roof moldings (to do repairs, or to install a new vinyl covering for the roof), you might uncover more rust holes that might need to be repaired.
You can see what I am talking about in the pictures below.
 
 

Edited by dave302 - 28-August-2015 at 4:16AM
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dave302 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 4:06AM
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havanariviera View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote havanariviera Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 4:21AM
Thanks Dave, I really appreciate the information. I'm learning as I go, and it is helpful to know the origin. I was puzzled as I've never seen (or noticed) the indent on fastbacks without the vinyl top. Thanks again-
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dave302 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 4:23AM
You're welcome.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 71 429CJ 4SP Spoiler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-August-2015 at 10:34AM
The owner of PPC is chemist and a friend of mine and I use all his products and completely endorse all of them.
 
https://www.ppcbest.com/formula_2.htm
  for your top
 
Here is the rest of his products.
 
 
Dean, the owner formulates all of his own products.
Goes through extensive testing on everything.
He is a classic car owner so believe me - he is very picky on his products used on his cars.
 


Edited by 71 429CJ 4SP Spoiler - 28-August-2015 at 10:46AM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kychevyguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-August-2015 at 3:26AM
Welcome to the forum.  
It was common practice at the factory that when a car came down the assembly line that was to get a vinyl roof, only minimum dressing of this seam was done. They would do a final dressing on the car if it was not getting a vinyl top and would therefore be seen later.  This was actually was quite common with all cars (Ford, GM, Mopar) of that period when vinyl tops were common.  The seam is fairly "invisible" on the padded tops like mid-late 70s Cougars.
Welcome, and post some pictures of your car! (It doesn't need to be a concourse show quality)  
JT, USAF Ret./Architect
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havanariviera View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote havanariviera Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-August-2015 at 6:14AM
Thanks everyone for the information. I will post some pictures once I'm setup on photobucket; in the meantime, the exterior looks virtually identical to the car in this listing. (except for the wheels, I have the Magnum 500s)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72GTS351CJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-September-2015 at 1:32PM
Les, Great looking car. Any more pics? Where did you find that beauty? Rick
72GTS Clint Eastwood Special                                     
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