Convertible Cleaning/ Sealing, Best way to clean and waterproof? Options

[jess_walsh]

Just got a 1999 Celica GT Conv.

Looking for best way to clean the black canvas convert top.

Also, looking for a good product to waterproof the canvas, as I understand it, the canvas is only water resistant unless treated with proofing.

The autoparts stores out here stink, all I could find was "Blue Magic" Convertible cleaner and protectant. Judging by the looks of the bottle, this is not the product I was looking for for waterproofing.

Any suggestions?

[shid]

Woah, our tops are only water resistent? I've driven through a ton of storms in mine and never had a problem. When you're washing the car if you angle the hose UP at the window joint with the canvas, water will get through

[Andason]

Woah, our tops are only water resistent? I've driven through a ton of storms in mine and never had a problem. When you're washing the car if you angle the hose UP at the window joint with the canvas, water will get through
[right][snapback]212593[/snapback][/right]

i knew youd be the first to reply....
that happens with any celi

[shid]

Woah, our tops are only water resistent? I've driven through a ton of storms in mine and never had a problem. When you're washing the car if you angle the hose UP at the window joint with the canvas, water will get through
[right][snapback]212593[/snapback][/right]

i knew youd be the first to reply....
that happens with any celi
[right][snapback]212594[/snapback][/right]

Oh, and I just thought my vert was retarded

Jess- for all I know our tops were originally only resistent and mine has been treated- but I think they were advertised as water proof.

--Sean

[CelicaBuddy]

Im the owner of a 95 convertible... Im also in the search of top cleaner/protector.... If I find something, I'll be sure to let ya know where to get it and if it seems like a good thing to buy.

*Sabrina

[95celgt]

ok, i have searched far and wide for a good cleaner to get tree sap spots out of it, iv'e used the blue majic but its only temporary, and nothing else has worked.l

as for the top.........its water proof. Under the canvas is a rubbery coat wich must be the "water proofing" thing they use...........as for the reason water still get in....
the calicas weather stripping is a peice of ****. the windows dont seal right so water tends to get in.

[juBz86]

yea i have the same problem...i cant get the tree sap off the top!! its so annoying!!

[CelicaBuddy]

Hmm.... havent had a tree sap problem yet.....

I use to have the same problem with the weather sealing. The the back window in the top use ta leak. Then my dad fixed it up with..... uhhh... what was it called.... I dunno, but Ill explain it as best as I can until I can tell ya what he did..... actually Ill havta get back to ya on this one.... Maybe I can help ya out with your weather stripping problem once I talk to my dad about it....

Cuz yeah.... Its no fun havin water in your car! It sucks.... K, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Just so I know, where does water get through in your car?

*Sabrina

[orvillescelica]

i have this problem after it rains pretty hard where water will become trapped somewhere in the linings. It will stay in there for a while after it has rained, so when i take a sharp turn it will all spill out onto the passenger. Crap seals?

[shid]

lol, thank god I dont have that problem. Yeah, sounds like crap seals. I know my car got a new top 2 years ago

[Ricky]

Any Celica conv will have problems with the water on the front side. What you need to do is regurlarly re-adjust the rubber between the top and the metal. And make sure is maintained. If is ripped you will get water no matter what.

As far as a protectant I use the same product that is used for waterproofing suede shoes. Any Water repellent for suede shoes will work.
I used it with my 88 conv, 93 conv and with my 99 conv. It works very well.

[testure486]

I have a 97 conv. I have had success with canvas spray purchased at stores that sell camping or boating supplies.

[MaskedMan]

This is a really old topic, but I've never seen it before haha. But I haven't had any problems with my top leaking at all for the past 4 years I have owned the car. I can spray water at it all day and it will hold up just fine .

Just one question though. My top is starting to fade just a little, and I think it could be darker. Is there any type of product we could use to possibly dye or make our cloth tops look dark black again? Were they ever dark black, I've never seen a brand new convertible top on a celica before. All the products I've seen have been for vynil tops.

[96bluevert]

Wow, this thread is old..lol


Anyone know how to stop the leaking from the back window..?

[Fuzzy]

Wow, this thread is old..lol


Anyone know how to stop the leaking from the back window..?

I've used Ragg Topp with great results. It's a two part product, with a cleaner and then treatment.
It's recommended by the fabric top supplier for our cars. You can order it through online retailers.

[96bluevert]

Wow, this thread is old..lol


Anyone know how to stop the leaking from the back window..?

I've used Ragg Topp with great results. It's a two part product, with a cleaner and then treatment.
It's recommended by the fabric top supplier for our cars. You can order it through online retailers.

Ragg Topp..hmm, I'll have to check this stuff out. Thanks.

[Fuzzy]

Wow, this thread is old..lol


Anyone know how to stop the leaking from the back window..?

I've used Ragg Topp with great results. It's a two part product, with a cleaner and then treatment.
It's recommended by the fabric top supplier for our cars. You can order it through online retailers.

Ragg Topp..hmm, I'll have to check this stuff out. Thanks.

Where's the leak? Is it from the threads around the rear window, or possibly the rear trim piece has a rain channel blocked?

[96bluevert]

I think it's around the threads, I havn't actually seen it come in, but I'll get in my car after it's been raining and theres water pooled up inside the vert top where the top retracts when you put it down.

[Fuzzy]

I think it's around the threads, I havn't actually seen it come in, but I'll get in my car after it's been raining and theres water pooled up inside the vert top where the top retracts when you put it down.

That happens to me after real hard and/or blowing rain. Well, the Ragg Topp probably won't help that. It will get you a cleaner, "reconditioned" top however. There was a thread on here within the last 6 months about the rear trim piece. Are the threads frayed?

[96bluevert]

^^^ nah, the tops only a couple years old and stitching looks fine, I think it might be because, on the passenger side, the window is comming apart from the cloth top. Other side's in tact as it should be.