What do you guys use on your vinyl tops for detailing? Mine is an NPD piece installed about 3 years ago (car has been garaged mostly since and driven about 3,000 miles since - long story) and I am going to a show this weekend. It looks fine as is, but every little detail counts.

I know those tonneau covers for trucks say do not use armor all because it makes the cover shrink.

It's been many years since I had the velle with the black vinyl top, but the product that always worked best for me was "Nu-Vinyl". It was commonly available at all the major discount chains. It went on great, looked better, and lasted much longer than Armoral. I assume it's still available.

A buddy of mine painted his with a glossy marine varnish. It looked excellent for about 4 months, and then like crap as it began to dry out, crack, and flake off.

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Bob Von Kaenel
70 SS 402ci TH400

I use "Pledge" on my car's vinyl top.Looks just "right"...not too glossy and not too dull.

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1970 Chevelle SS396/M20/4.10 My 70 SS396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SS1)
Engine pic (http://chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SSengine2)
1970 Chevelle SS454My 70 SS454 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70ss454)
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass 350 Olds,TH350(daily driver)
Chris Corwel,TC Member 785

'Pledge' is a new one on me. I had heard that baby oil being used on a vinyl top keeps it supple. It wouldn't promote rust if there was a break in the top.

what do you guys reccomend on the interior??armorall?thats what i use but i also heard it cracks interior??yes or no??

I use Meguiars Mirror Glaze Vinyl and Rubber Conditioner. A little pricey but works great and no silicone.

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575
My '69 SS (http://sites.netscape.net/von69ss/homepage)

I have a black car with a black vinyl top. When I used armor-all or other 'thicker' silicone based protectant, I wiped them down afterward to remove the excess. But, the next washing of the car produced a run-off of the protectant onto the paint and it was a pain to clean up. I use Pledge now on the top and on the interior. Looks great without that slippery wet dust attracting surface with other protectants. And it smells good! I use the glossy stuff on the tires only now and still wipe off the excess.

I also like Meguiars Mirror Glaze Vinyl and Rubber Conditioner. There is also another product that I get from my local Auto Value. It smell's good.

I love Nu-Vinyl". It is great for tops, tires, you name it.

It dries completely so it doesn't have an oily finish to catch dust and dirt.

It's not too glossy. Looks very natural.

Try it, you'll like it.

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Bill Taylor
TC Gold Member #73
December 1999 Feature Car
www.chevelles.com/feature/december99.htm (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/december99.html)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/BillTSS70-2 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/BillTSS70-2)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/leaves2 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/leaves2)
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65vette.jpg

I recommend you stay away from ANY silicon based finish. Being in the repainting/replating business it has been hell working on dashes or sheet metal where someone has used Armorall.

Believe it or not, metal and plastic are porous and the silicon gets deep into the pores after using. This will forever contaminate the dash or fender and paint WILL NOT stick.

Walk into a body shop some day with a spray can of silicon and see how long it takes for you to be 'escorted'. JMO

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"Details Make the Difference"
Musclecar Restoration and Design