Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

[DogParkGuy]

Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible Top


Tomorrow I am detailing a cream-color PT Cruiser convertible. Anything special related to cleaning the top? I plan on using my regular car wash soap (Meguiar's).

Appreciate any advice. Picture tomorrow.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

Any of our car wash shampoos will work fine on the PT Cruiser cloth top, just make sure the wash mitt or drying towel you're using do not leave any lint behind. Drying seems to work well with a dry Water Magnet folded in quarters and then blotted on the top, folding the towel over as you go. The top won't be 100% dry using this method but it should fully dry overnight.

If you find that the top is heavily soiled then a soft brush can be used to clean those areas needing extra attention, still using the same shampoo as the rest of the vehicle.

We realize if you're doing this job for a client you most likely won't have the luxury of working with the top 24 hours later, but if in the future you ever do (and this is specific to a cloth top, keep in mind) then you might want to try a couple products from our Marine/RV Line:

M71 Canvas Cleaner: can be sprayed on, lightly agitated, and wiped off. No need to rinse, but it's perfectly fine to do so.


Once the top has fully dried - 24 hours or so depending on how well you dried it, ambient humidity, etc (here in SoCal during the summer with temp/humidity at 90/15 they dry pretty fast!) you can move to the next step.

M72 Canvas Protectant: Guards against UV, mildew, etc and waterproofs the material. We recommend masking the body panels with towels or newspaper before spraying, just so you don't have to go back and wipe the car down after.


These two products were developed for use on boat covers and cockpit biminis - these are subjected to prolonged exposure to sun and salt air and these products work great in that environment. On a car's convertible top they're awesome.

Scroll part way through THIS thread to see what we did with these products on a very badly soiled white canvas top during a recent Extreme Makeover at Meguiar's Garage.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

The most important thing to be wary of is to not scrub the convertible top aggressively or you can lift up some of the fibers and make it look fuzzy. The more this is done then overtime it looks worse and worse, so be gentle and careful when cleaning canvas tops.

It's best to use a very soft bristle brush like the body brush we use to sell as the bristles were very soft.

After washing the top and letting it completely dry so that it is desert dry, then you can apply a coating of our Canvas Protectant. This will refresh how it looks plus provide protection for the top material.

M7224 Canvas Protectant

[DogParkGuy]

Re: Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

Thanks for the excellent suggestions about cleaning a top, especially the one about not scrubbing too vigorously. The top is black and appears in good shape, so I will was gently with my micro-fiber mitt and rinse thoroughly. Then I will dry by blotting with my water magnet. Not sure where I would find Meguiar's marine products in Stamford, CT. Is Rex Marine or West Marine a retail chain that carries your products?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

Yes, West Marine does carry our Marine Line of products - they're probably your best bet. You can always check our dealer locator at http://www.meguiars.com/dealerlocator/ , just make sure to select "Meguiar's Marine Products" after entering your zip code.

[Jossy92]

Re: Detailing a PT Cruiser Convertible

[Been doing free details for friends: but don't want to gamble with their top. Otherwise I wouldn't revitalize this old thread. MODS: want this in a new thread?]

First the BOTTOM LINE:

On 3-4 year old fabric PT Cruiser top, am going to use Megs marine Canvas cleaner followed up with their marine Canvas protectant, but to avoid excess agitation with soft brush can I pre-spray APC, rinse?


then Background:

The black top on her PT Cruiser is coated with the same sap-like film that was on her paint which blue clay wouldn't even dent and required a misting & dwelling of APC prior to a re-wash.

Worried about a pretreatment with APC on the top, but, the goo/sap just rolls around in to dirty goo-balls and sticky, ribbons of dirt. I am guessing it is tree sap mist (it's yellowish), built up over years of being left outside.

and, then the GOOD NEWS:

...everything but the top "gleams" after:

all megs:
APC
blue clay
QD
m/f mitt
M-40
NXT
M-26
UQD
UQW
prayer
m/f Waffle weave