I've spent a few weeks trying to get educated in NAM. Great resource didn't realize there were so many Mini crazies!

Cutting to the chase, I want to order some RaggTopp products. In the mean time, I do vaccum my top often. Only washed the car once and avoided the top.
Is there a soap other than RaggTopp to wash your top and what is it?

What do you wash the top with, brush, rag, mitt and what type brand?

Do any auto stores carry/stock RT products or is it mail order only?

I read to dry it with a artificial chamois for no lint.

Thanking you for your responses.............and many more questions to follow.

 

I seriously doubt that regular car soap will remove the protection from the top. I have read that it can make the top attract dust however. I suspect this depends on which soap is used.
Personally, I just use water and rinse the top off when I'm washing the car. I guess if you had some bird poo or a stubborn dirt spot you could use a fabric brush to help you remove it. In between I will use a lint roller to remove any dust or whatever. When I do rinse the top I just dry it with a microfiber towel and I have no lint issues.

 

I second Minimaybee, but I just use an old bath towel and have had no lint issues. Save the MF for paint.

 

I rinse my top with water every week & let it air dry. I never get 1 iota of lint. You should never use carsoap on your top as it will attract lint & dust afterwards due to the oils in carsoap. Only clean your top with top soap when you plan to retreat it with protectant as soaping removes your protection. I think letting your top airdry as opposed to towel drying it also helps with the lint issue

 

I brush Mrs. Peel's RaggTopp at least 3 times a week. If I wash the top at all it is usually just water. I towel it down with an old bath towel. No lint here.

 

Ditto. Wash with water. Use a brush if needed to loosen any stuff (I never need to - rinses right off). Brush with a workbench-type-of-brush when dry, or blow off with compressed air, or vacuum. I wash with 303 cleaner before re-treating with 303 fabric protector.

And I HAVE seen Raggtop cleaner/treatment sets at one of the local auto parts chains - but don't remember which one - either Advance Auto or AutoZone I think...

 

Detailers Paradise offers the 303 stuff and the RaggTopp. Here's a Link.

 

What kind of difference can there REALLY be between different soaps?
The 'active ingredients' ar really all the same, no??
I think that it makes sense to occasionally clean with soap - dirt build up will eventually break down the fabric...

I had been using a mild laundry detergent - don't know why that would be BAD for a fabric top!!

I am interested to hear how often people use the protectant.

My top's pretty dusty right now - better go down and brush it off!!

 

I believe from my readings that there is a difference in detergents. There are differences in strength of surfactants, wetting agents and added chemicals. I think however of primary concern is the soap's alkalinity. For example regular Dawn dishwashing soap has a high pH so the alkalinity is high. This is good for removing grease on your dishes as well as wax from your car. Most auto soaps on the other hand are of neutral pH so they are wax safe, however they can have added oils to enhance the finish, which are not really what you want on your canvas since they can attract dust.

I could be wrong however.

 

Your explanation sounds very plausible to me. I have always read to NEVER use carsoap on a fabric top because of the oils attracting dust & lint. Plus my Mini manual says either to not use carsoap or to only use special convertible top cleaner (can't remember which & don't feel like digging it out)

 

My owners manual says to take it to the carwash, preferable touchless. Anyone do that with a convertible? Would you even want to, not knowing what is comming out of their nozzles?

 

I have never & will never go to a carwash because of my top but also because of my paint Minis are small they handwash quickly

p.s...rc'S; go to Detailers Paradise or Autopia to purchase either 303 or RaggTopp. I have never seen 303 at a local store, not sure about RaggTopp. I warn you though...once the detailing bug bites you in the **** it's hard to get out of either Autopia or DP without $100+ worth of items in you shopping cart

 

Yikes!! NEVER a carwash!! Yes, MINIs are so tiny, they handwash in a snap.
OK - in winter, and with no driveway, can be a problem, but then try to find a do-it-yourself wash place that gives you a hose with warm water.

I wash it in hte winter with a bucket of warm soapy water and rubber gloves, then rinse it off with clear water from a sprayer. (Hoses are away for the winter.)

This is great info on how to care for the top.

Thanks, everyone!

 

I was told not to take it to an automatic carwas and especually a touchless one. VERY bad for the paint and supposedly the water and air are blow at such a force they will cause the top to leak...

 

I know do not do the carwashes of any kind. I had to when I was visiting in Syracuse this past October. Mrs. Peel was so covered with mud I couldn't see out the windows. I got out and talked with the owner and I got the very basic wash. Didn't hurt anything, but it sure sounded awful. From now on, only the do it yourself ones, if I can't do it in my driveway.