[res0n0xg]

Was lucky enough to pick up a 6MT vert ZL1... My first black top convertible..... The most frustrating thing is up close you can see "lint" basically ingrained in the top already and a lint roller doesn't work well. Tried a basic hand wash with my power washer and soap with a light scrub with a sponge... No real results.

How do you keep the top lint free???

[cgdelena]

I vacuum mine before treating it (303, Raggtop, etc.) and then picks up less.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by res0n0xg

Was lucky enough to pick up a 6MT vert ZL1... My first black top convertible..... The most frustrating thing is up close you can see "lint" basically ingrained in the top already and a lint roller doesn't work well. Tried a basic hand wash with my power washer and soap with a light scrub with a sponge... No real results.

How do you keep the top lint free???

303 Fabric Cleaner and 303 Fabric Guard for cleaning / protecting the top. Using a sponge roller (2 coats fabric guard) works great as opposed to spraying.

If your car top doesn't see a lot of sun....like mine, garaged or top down while driving, regular washing with a sponge and light rinse is the way to go. In between, if there's pollen / lint etc., I use a quality horse hair shoe brush.

Pressure washing the convertible top is questionable... one little oops and

Good luck with the Z... I have almost 700 miles on mine and love it.

[craigss50]

303 Protectorate and a lint roller. I never use soap on my top. It will remove the 303. I use a lint free rag and water. I guess since I don't have a lint problem the 303 must kept it from adhering to the fabric?

[res0n0xg]

I had a cheap vinyl brush for mix use (shoes, etc.) but the bristles seemed way too rough on the top. I'll go horse hair I think as well. I just ordered the fabric guard/sealant so will do that as well.

Top won't see much direct sun over it's life but boy do I need to get rid of the lint now, so annoying to see it. It's really baked in, like it doesn't just want to wipe away.

In terms of the power washer, it's all in the nozzle, just using a wide spray nozzle designed for washing your car It's a sun joe spx3000 and one of it's primary uses is car detailing/washing.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by res0n0xg

I had a cheap vinyl brush for mix use (shoes, etc.) but the bristles seemed way too rough on the top. I'll go horse hair I think as well. I just ordered the fabric guard/sealant so will do that as well.

Top won't see much direct sun over it's life but boy do I need to get rid of the lint now, so annoying to see it. It's really baked in, like it doesn't just want to wipe away.

In terms of the power washer, it's all in the nozzle, just using a wide spray nozzle designed for washing your car It's a sun joe spx3000 and one of it's primary uses is car detailing/washing.

Oh, and couple other things... You may want to wear a vapor mask while applying the fabric guard. Applying in the sun cuts dry time considerably.

I was thinking about the embedded lint... maybe some duct tape wrapped around your hand? Or maybe wet the top and carefully use a shop vacuum to pull up on fibers? I’d use fine sandpaper on the nozzle to smooth it out before touching the roof... that’s all I have for ideas!!

[Silverado57]

Great tips guys, thanks!

[craigss50]

Originally Posted by res0n0xg

I had a cheap vinyl brush for mix use (shoes, etc.) but the bristles seemed way too rough on the top. I'll go horse hair I think as well. I just ordered the fabric guard/sealant so will do that as well.

Top won't see much direct sun over it's life but boy do I need to get rid of the lint now, so annoying to see it. It's really baked in, like it doesn't just want to wipe away.

In terms of the power washer, it's all in the nozzle, just using a wide spray nozzle designed for washing your car It's a sun joe spx3000 and one of it's primary uses is car detailing/washing.

I have the same Sun Joe 3000 and damaged the top of our BMW when I got to close to the top trying to get a stain out so be careful using a power washer. That said it should take the lint off, just keep it about 12" away from the fabric with the least aggressive tip.

[bioengr63]

I use a lint roller that has masking tape on it. I think that duct tape would be too strong. After that I use RaggTopp to wash and treat the fabric. I may try the 303 when I runnout of the RaggTopp. How important is it that the cleaner be certified for HAARTZ? And, what is that or does it mean? 10 years ago when I got a new top put on y Geo Tracker the installer said to only use cleaners that had that certification. Does that apply to the current top material?

[JT58]

I also used the 303 protectant on my past 2016 Miata black cloth top and it never had an excessive lint problem. There might have been a few pieces of lint once in a great while, I simply brushed them off with a soft bristle brush.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by res0n0xg

Was lucky enough to pick up a 6MT vert ZL1... My first black top convertible..... The most frustrating thing is up close you can see "lint" basically ingrained in the top already and a lint roller doesn't work well. Tried a basic hand wash with my power washer and soap with a light scrub with a sponge... No real results.

How do you keep the top lint free???

A good coating safe pH neutral car wash soap will do just fine for cleaning the top without removing 303 or Raggtop. I have used both Adams car shampoo and Carpro Reset with good success.

Just go easy on the soap or you will spend quite a while rinsing to get it out.


Here's how 303 has held up after ~23 months and 6700 miles...

[somedude]

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479329