Convertible Care... 303 fabric cleaner and protectant

blkZ28Conv · 12-17-01, 11:42

Has anyone used these products (303). I am interested in detailing my black fabric rugtop. The top is still very water repellant and not faded. I want to keep it that way and maybe enhance its appearance. Does the 303 fabric protectant have any sheen or renew the new top appearance.

I see that CMA carries these products.

Todd · 12-17-01, 11:51

I have not used the cleaner by 303 but the fabric gaurd is great stuff!I treated my cloth seats in my truck and the water beads just as a good wax on your paint.This stuff is highly recomended by outdoor furniture companies so it must be good.Take care

http://www.303products.com/fabricguard.htm

waxman · 12-17-01, 11:59

I do not know about outdoor fabrics, but the 303 fabric protectant is amazing for the carpet on the inside of the vehicle. 3-4 months after applying two coats on the carpet and the fabric seats, the carpeted floor mat still beaded like crazy after some pop was spilled on it. This was after wet shoes from rain had been on the carpeted floor mat many times. Well worth the 15 bucks. It does darken the fabrics maybe a shade, though.

Cybercowboy · 12-17-01, 12:27

I bought the 303 convertible top kit (cleaner and protectant) a few months back and still haven't used it. Doh! I forgot I had it! It looks great in its shrinkwrap box though. Top still beads water somewhat from the original factory treatment.

I'll use it next time I wash the vette. It hasn't been driven since 12/7 and is nice and clean in my garage. I definitely need to spray down those carpets with the protectant too!

One thing I was a bit concerned about - spraying down the top and getting the cleaner on the paint. I'm probably just being paranoid. I'll try to get plenty of Z7 suds on the paint prior to spraying the top and brushing it. I'll spray the protectant after it's nice and dry with a towel masking off the paint/glass as needed.

blkZ28Conv · 12-17-01, 12:47

Cybercowboy,
Please let me know how the cleaner works. My top , even though 7 years old looks great ( garage queen), but I would like to give it a complete deep cleaning while its in hibernation. I am also concerned about over-spray but will probably cover the painted area with old silk sheets ( my wife is going to kill me if see find out

). It seems the protectant works very well from everyone's responses. Now if we can find someone who have already used the 303 fabric cleaner....

Intermezzo · 12-17-01, 12:57

I tried the 303 fabric guard for the first time about a week ago and it works very well for my canvas top. I covered the trunk, windows, sides and hood with newspaper before applying.

As for the sheen, I would say that it didn't change it that much, but only because it was so clean and new when I applied the 303. But it certainly does bead the water very well.

puterbum · 12-17-01, 01:13

Can anyone compare 303 Fab Guard to 3M ScotchGard?

I just used ScotchGard Automotive version on my carpets and it's beading okay but not as nicely as I would have thought. I have applied it twice so far in relatively light coats: aplied once then brushed the carpet in a different direction after it dried and applied again.

Brad B. · 12-17-01, 02:49

I find that the 303 sprays more evenly than Scotchguard (soon to be off shelves). The valve on the can and/or the can pressure is much better. Watch out for overspray-cover everything you don't want waterproofed. The beading after application seems to be equal. Both seem to last very well. I recommend both products.

DETAILKING · 12-17-01, 04:18

All GM top materials are made by www.haartz.com . Here is the cleaning instructions from their web site. PM me if you can't find the haartz cleaner....I know someone who sells it. Haartz says to use two products, their spray cleaner and the 303 Fabric Guard

Here is the procedure cut and pasted from the Haartz web site:

Important: A program of keeping the top clean through regular washings BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of an acrylic top and make successive cleaning easier.

Most automatic car washes will not harm sport topping fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths are preferred. Those using heavy barrel brushes should be avoided. Haartz recommends hand washing in the shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight.

Bird and tree droppings as well as other loose particle soils should be removed immediately. Vacuum the top with a brush attachment and rinse the roof fabric thoroughly with water to remove these loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the top has been rinsed thoroughly, spray apply Haartz Roof Cleaner evenly over the entire top while the top is still wet. Washing with soap and warm water is a safe alternative to Haartz Roof Cleaner, but not as effective. DO NOT USE DETERGENTS. Allow the roof cleaner to soak into the top for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub the top lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Allow to dry. Additional cleaning may be required. It is best to determine this after the top has dried completely. After drying, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling the fabric with a fluorocarbon system such as 303 High Tech Fabric Guard . Failure to do so will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

The fabric itself does not promote mildew growth. However, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. For these more stubborn cases, soak the fabric for approximately 20 minutes in a solution of no more than ½ cup (4 oz.) bleach and ¼ cup (2 oz.) Haartz Roof Cleaner per gallon of water and scrub lightly as indicated above. Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads, so be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Rinse entire vehicle to remove all of the bleach solution from fabric and to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Acrylic fabric readily absorbs water but dries quickly. Several cleanings may be necessary.

Do NOT use top dressing cleaners or conditioners containing silicones, organic solvents, petroleum distillates or plasticizers that may permanently stain the fabric. This product is made from 100% solution dyed acrylic fiber which is thermoplastic. Do NOT subject to excessive heat.

The use of stronger cleansers should be left to professionals experienced in handling this type of fabric to avoid discoloration and degradation of the special protective inner layer

blkZ28Conv · 12-18-01, 06:30

I appreciate the Haartz info. I will probably try the 303 kit first and do a comparison later using the RaggTop (Haartz) recommended product.
That is if Cybercowboy does not beat me to doing a review of the 303 products.

Now let me click on CMA and place an order. Hopefully they can get to me by XmAs.

waxman · 12-18-01, 06:45

Scotchgard released a new formula in the summer that is safer than the old formula. I don't think Scotchgard is going anywhere.

"Scotchgard Breaking News

New Scotchgard Formulas to Hit Shelves in April with Expanded Protection Capabilities for New Fabrics
New formulations of Scotchgard protectors will be introduced by 3M in April 2001. The new formulations will offer protection for a greater variety of materials as well as improved performance features.

“Our customers will get the benefits they know and expect from Scotchgard protectors with these improved formulations, and these new formulations have additional benefits aimed at protecting even more items important to people,” said Kyle Henning, brand supervisor for Scotchgard protectors.

The newly reformulated Scotchgard products will replace those now on the shelves, so there should be no interruptions in availability for consumers. New products for home use are: Scotchgard protector for fabric and upholstery in the red can, Scotchgard protector for rugs, carpets & autos in the blue can and Scotchgard protector for leather shoes, boots, & coats in the brown can. "
http://cms.3m.com/cms/CH/de/2-78/iFR...l?preview=true

Cybercowboy · 12-18-01, 08:24

There are several common types of convertible tops, including natural fiber, acrylic fiber, vinyl fiber, and others that I have no idea what kind of fiber (like StayFast Cloth). For your car - StayFastl fiber and Double Texture Vinyl. Most cleaners or protectants should only be used on certain types fabric. For your car (a 95 Camaro), CMA has this to say:

"Consult dealer. GM used both Haartz Stayfast Cloth & Double Texture Vinyl in these years."

Check these two links to be sure you are matching up the correct type:

http://properautocare.com/besprodforcl.html (cloth)
http://properautocare.com/besprodforvi.html (vinyl)

My car (2002 Corvette) has the Haartz StayFast Cloth. The 303 fabric cleaner is fine for it, and so is the 303 fabric guard. If you have a vinyl top you can wash it with 303 fabric cleaner or car shampoo (they recommend Pinnacle or P21S). If it's cloth use the 303 fabric protectant. If vinyl use something like Renovo Vinyl Ultra Proofer.

CMA has a chart you can check to see what your car has:

http://properautocare.com/ismycontopfa.html

It can be of some help. My owners manual told me exactly what kind of top I have.