Fabric Convertible top Over spray

[chipdog59]

I am new to the forum and while watching one of the videos on fabric top convertible conditioning the guy in the video demonstrated that any over spray could be easily wiped off the car body. Is this correct? In reading some of the postings there is a lot of folks that tape out / cover the car to ensure no over spray hits glass or paint. So I guess I am confused. Is it safe to simply have wet rag available to wipe down over spray as you go. Like many I work a lot and just finding time for car detailing is tough. I plan to use ARO to clean the fabric and 303 for the protectant. Are these products safe to use? ARO says clear coat safe but also instructs you to cut 50 / 50 for paint but at the same time it instructs you to spray on wet fabric to clean. Clearly the ARO will run off on the car paint when you rinse the top. Just want to make sure I have paint left on the car when I am done. lol

 

[CEE DOG]

Hi chip. I can't speak for every product but I have found some of them can give a super fine mist where you don't see the spray particles coming off the sealant and everywhere they land. If you try to do it without covering the paint you want to do it inside with no wind or air movement and still that doesn't really cut it. The mist is very fine especially from the aerosol products but the 303HTFG spray also has extremely light fine spray particles that come away from the spray head. Keep a mf towel handy with a waterless wash. (I would cover the car if you are ocd about any tiny particles hardening on your paint... You may have already seen this but heres some I wrote up about it. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/37352-overview-convertible-fabric-top-care.html

As far as using ARO for the top I can't tell you much as I have always had the same fear as you. I would cut it 1:1 and of course use a brush to work it in. Absolutely do NOT let anything like that flow over your paint in the sun though. Do it in the shade and don't let it dry on the paint. Rinse the paint asap and often if needed.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I am new to the forum and while watching one of the videos on fabric top convertible conditioning the guy in the video demonstrated that any over spray could be easily wiped off the car body. Is this correct?

The convertible top protectant won't harm glass or paint and as long as you wipe off any overspray immediately it will wipe off without any problems. If you have a show car finish as described here,

What condition is the paint on your vehicles?

Show Car Quality
Paint in this condition is as perfect as it can be in any lighting condition. The only defects you should see are fingerprints, smudges or light dust on what otherwise appears to be a flawless show car finish.

The finish on a car in this category can hold up to close scrutiny under bright lights by the most discerning eyes.

The paint in this category has been put through a series of machine polishing procedures to maximize D.O.I, gloss, clarity, depth, reflection, richness of color, shine and even slickness.

If needed, the paint has been sanded, cut and buffed to remove orange peel and any other surface texture to create a 100% flat surface to maximize D.O.I.

RIDS have been removed to the extent that it is safe to do so without compromising the top coat. Paint is meticulously cared for on an as needed basis to ensure that it is always display ready.



Excellent Condition
The paint in this category looks factory new or better than factory new.

The paint looks like it has been professionally machine polished and sealed with a wax, paint sealant or coating and is regularly maintained.

When viewed in bright sunlight, the paint looks excellent, that is there are few or no visible swirls or scratches or so few that there's not enough of them to require machine polishing.

The paint has few or no swirls, scratches or any other visible paint defects outside of RIDS.

Then of course you want to be a little more careful not to get overspray on the paint or cover it just because wiping without an actual lubricating designed for paint is a good idea to prevent marring of the paint.

What are you working on?

In reading some of the postings there is a lot of folks that tape out / cover the car to ensure no over spray hits glass or paint.

The Protectant itself won't harm the paint, as in dissolve it or stain it but if you bet the protectant on the paint then you do have to wipe it off. Clear coat paints are scratch sensitive, that is they tend to be hard but scratch easily. If you want to avoid having to wipe a non-paint product off the paint then cover the paint so you don't get any overspray onto it.

If the car has a neglected finish I wouldn't worry about it because the paint is already filled with swirls and scratches. If you have a show car finish then just like anything in your environment, you have to be careful of what gets on the paint because somehow you have t "touch" the paint to get it off. I refer back to my above post.

So I guess I am confused. Is it safe to simply have wet rag available to wipe down over spray as you go.

I personally wouldn't use a wet rag to wipe down a show car finish but it wouldn't make a difference on a neglected finish. Use a clean, high quality microfiber towel with your favorite spray detailer this way you'll be using something soft and gentle to the paint and adding extra lubricity to the wipe-off step.

1. What are you working on?
2. What condition is the paint in?

Neglected Finish

Show Car Finish

Like many I work a lot and just finding time for car detailing is tough. I plan to use ARO to clean the fabric and 303 for the protectant. Are these products safe to use? ARO says clear coat safe but also instructs you to cut 50 / 50 for paint but at the same time it instructs you to spray on wet fabric to clean. Clearly the ARO will run off on the car paint when you rinse the top. Just want to make sure I have paint left on the car when I am done. LOL

ARO is a really cool all purpose cleaner and I've never seen any issues with it after it's been on the paint but I've never let it dwell or dry on clear coat paint either so just work safe and use common sense and you'll be good to go.

Be sure not to use a coarse brush when you clean your fabric top so you don't fray the fibers. You should always wash a convertible top very gently. Use a lot of water and a soft brush.

This 1962 Cadillac has a brand new vinyl top on it and I still used plenty of water and a Montana Boars Hair Brush to carefully wash it as we treated it with protectant after buffing out the paint.


Washing a Convertible Top

 

[chipdog59]

Hi chip. I can't speak for every product but I have found some of them can give a super fine mist where you don't see the spray particles coming off the sealant and everywhere they land. If you try to do it without covering the paint you want to do it inside with no wind or air movement and still that doesn't really cut it. The mist is very fine especially from the aerosol products but the 303HTFG spray also has extremely light fine spray particles that come away from the spray head. Keep a mf towel handy with a waterless wash. (I would cover the car if you are ocd about any tiny particles hardening on your paint... You may have already seen this but heres some I wrote up about it. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/37352-overview-convertible-fabric-top-care.html

As far as using ARO for the top I can't tell you much as I have always had the same fear as you. I would cut it 1:1 and of course use a brush to work it in. Absolutely do NOT let anything like that flow over your paint in the sun though. Do it in the shade and don't let it dry on the paint. Rinse the paint asap and often if needed.

Cee Dog, thank you for the quick response and the link. I have read it in the past but it will certainly be easier to find and refer to if I tackle the project this weekend. Although I will be working in the shade (carport) it sounds like the time spent taping out the car on the front end will be time saved during the process. I recently bought a used Audi (black) and while I am not looking for a "show car finish" the exterior is in very good condition and I do want to keep at that level as long as possible.

 

[chipdog59]

The convertible top protectant won't harm glass or paint and as long as you wipe off any overspray immediately it will wipe off without any problems. If you have a show car finish as described here,

What condition is the paint on your vehicles?


Then of course you want to be a little more careful not to get overspray on the paint or cover it just because wiping without an actual lubricating designed for paint is a good idea to prevent marring of the paint.

What are you working on?

Mike, thanks for the quick response and information.

As far as finish, I would say the car has a very good finish, not a show car and it does have a few swirls. I am working on a Audi A4 I just recently purchased (used) with black exterior, tan leather interior.

I had routine maintanence done couple weeks after purchase and the shop mechanic scratched it up pretty bad while working under the hood. Luckly the manager had commented on how clean the car was and when he saw the scratches he had a auto body shop repair damage and the entire car buffed / polished. Not up to the show car I see on the forum but it certainly helped the overall finish.

In reading your response I will be taping the car as it sounds like a good investment of time on the front end to save time while doing the work.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I had routine maintenance done couple weeks after purchase and the shop mechanic scratched it up pretty bad while working under the hood. Luckily the manager had commented on how clean the car was and when he saw the scratches he had a auto body shop repair damage and the entire car buffed / polished. Not up to the show car I see on the forum but it certainly helped the overall finish.

Shivers run down my spine when a read something like the above... sounds like they did a good job of buffing on the paint and lets hope you didn't just get the dealer installed swirl option or DISO

In reading your response I will be taping the car as it sounds like a good investment of time on the front end to save time while doing the work.

Thanks again for your help.

A couple of these would be a good match for this type of project... soft to the paint, washable and reusable.


Autogeek Detailing Cover-Up Towel

Have fun with the new-to-you Audi!


:xyxthumbs:

 

[chipdog59]

Shivers run down my spine when a read something like the above... sounds like they did a good job of buffing on the paint and lets hope you didn't just get the dealer installed swirl option or DISO




A couple of these would be a good match for this type of project... soft to the paint, washable and reusable.


Autogeek Detailing Cover-Up Towel

Have fun with the new-to-you Audi!


:xyxthumbs:

Good article and I did not get the swirl option. I have washed the car several times since and I have not noticed anything like you illistrated in your acticle. We have had nothing but sun (and heat) for weeks, so it would be hard not to notice by now. The repair shop has a solid reputation (and the prices to prove it lol). Like the towels, it actually may rain this weekend so I may have to place an order