RaggTopp Protectant Report

[sjgreen6]

Finally got around to going through the process of cleaning and treating my cloth top last weekend. I bought the RaggTopp kit (cleaner and protectant). Was going to wash the car anyway so seemed like a good time to do the top.

I've got a tan (neutral) top so stains and dirt definitely show. The cleaner seemed to work well. Wet the top then spray on the cleaner, brush with a soft brush and let sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. I realized afterward when I was drying the car that I should have opened the trunk at some point to get the 6 inches of cloth that is covered by the front of the trunk lid. There was a bit of dirt there that I cleaned off later with a brush before treating it.

The protectant is another thing entirely. The label tells you to spray the top and wipe off any excess overspray before it dries. I did the spraying in the garage to avoid wind, I also went ahead and covered the glass immediately near the top with paper. I even popped the top loose so that I could get a good spray under the front edge of the top. The directions recommend two to three coats of spray. I did two and it feels like the can might just barely have two more in it. There seems to be plenty of cleaner for several more cleanings. I presume that this cleaner will not remove the protectant. Will have to try a few washings to confirm.

Now for the fun. First the overspray goes everywhere. It sprays in a very fine mist and any breeze at all will move it where you don't want it. Second I'm not sure that it is possible to wipe off the overspray before it dries as it seems to dry in about 10 seconds on your glass. Once it is dry on the glass have fun getting it off. It creates a nearly impenetrable glaze on the glass that was not fun to remove. I tried glass cleaner, then Simple Green, finally tried denatured alcohol and that seemed to do the trick but I had to follow up with the glass cleaner one more time to remvoe the streaks. The little overspray that made it down to the paint (mostly in the trunk area) seemed to come off easily enough with detailer. I think the good coat of wax clearly helped there.

Now that it is done, the top looks a little cleaner and brighter and seems to have very good water replellancy. I will see how long it lasts as I wash it (car doesn't go out in the rain if I can help it).

Next time I do it I will make sure I do the following:
1) be sure to clean the top canvas that goes down below the front edge of the trunk lid
2) give the car a good drying then lay down a coat of wax and not buff it off to provde a protective layer on the paint before spraying
3) mask the hell out of all glass areas to save time cleaning the glass afterwards

Cheers!

[JohnnyBs98WS6Rag]

Good report, echos my experience w/ this product.

[psycho steve]

ditto here. stuff goes everywhere and is a pain to clean off. but my top looks great and water just beads up onn it.

[sama lama]

Yes I had the same problem, lacquer thinner removed it. Put small amount on a rag not so much it drips try not to rub the rubber with lacquer rag. Just clean the glass this way do not get it on the paint. Hope this helps.

[99'CajunFirehawk157]

I have a brand new kit I have never used since I replaced my top, in fact, I will make someone a good deal on it since my car is a garage queen, pm to discuss.

[cpop98ws6]

Did mine about 3 years ago and the water still beads up every time i wash it. Garage kept and never sees the rain. Good stuff IMO.

[third_shift|studios]

I use the product on customer cars...never really had an issue with over spray, typically I spray it accross the fabric, not at it-so that lengthens the area covered. Also, I try to avoid getting close the glass at all, making more like a heavy-pass just inside of the border, using the horse-hair brush to blend the heavy saturation to the edges of the window as well as any other heavy spots.

[sjgreen6]

TTT per request.

Steve