best way to condition targa top ? | FerrariChat

best way to condition targa top ?

Discussion in '308/328' started by gtbman, Jan 26, 2010.

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  1. gtbman

    gtbman Karting

    Sep 28, 2009
    69
    What do people use to bring back the luster to the top ? The top is in great condition, just needs to be brightened up.
     
  2. davebuchner

    davebuchner Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2005
    2,487
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Dave Buchner
    with a user name such as gtbman i would not have thought this would be an issue for you ..

    I use a South African product called Wynns Back to Black - works well but is a PITA to use . apply and let dry then lots of elbow grease to bring up the shine. Also, have to redo after a wash.

    looking for an easier method!
     
  3. shawxhurst

    shawxhurst Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2006
    672
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Steve Hawxhurst
    I like Meguires Trim Detailer, also great for bringing the black back to the anodized louvres. Sometimes a little hard to find but you can look up their web site and buy on line or phone
     
  4. Fastcars575

    Fastcars575 Karting

    Nov 13, 2009
    75
    Texas
    1+
    Back to Black works great. Can be purchased at most auto supply stores in the U.S.
     
  5. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,182
    PNW
    Full Name:
    John
    I use back to black but here it's Mother's brand. The stuff I get though is not hard to use you just wipe it on and wipe it off. I use it on the bumpers too!
     
  6. Jkuz

    Jkuz Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    185
    Carlsbad, CA
    Full Name:
    John K
    ArmorAll seems to work fine for me. Am I missing something?
     
  7. gigaleff

    gigaleff Rookie

    Feb 27, 2008
    47
    Switzerland
    +1
    Applied it a year ago and after several washes looks still fine!
     
  8. scuderiatc

    scuderiatc Karting

    May 20, 2006
    126
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Full Name:
    Tee
    I user the Mother's brand of back to black. Its easy to use, and doesnt wash off for me. I use it on all the black rubber or plastic parts on my car. It works especially well on the outside mirrors.
     
  9. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    +1 "back to black"
    Works great, very easy to apply.
     
  10. gigaleff

    gigaleff Rookie

    Feb 27, 2008
    47
    Switzerland
    Have to try this fabulous "Mothers Back-to-Black" - maybe on my mirrors.

    Are there any long term experiences? How does the rubber look like after a few years of treatment?
     
  11. venusone

    venusone F1 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2004
    3,238
    I've used Griot's Vinyl & Rubber Dressing. Doesn't Amor All tend to turn brown in the sun?
     
  12. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,182
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    Armor all tends to dry things out....a LOT. I've been using the mother's back to black on my targa top for probably 5 years. It still looks good with no issues. I've used it on the bumpers for the same amount of time and they still look good. I do have to say the bumpers were a little neglected when I got the car so they do have minor issues but overall the back to black helped clean and condition them well.
     
  13. venusone

    venusone F1 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2004
    3,238
    Griot's stuff "Contains no petroleum distillates, or other dangerous solvents that can harm and dull the surface of vinyl and rubber over time. Special ultraviolet (UV) blocking agents leave behind a protective coating to help keep your vinyl and rubber parts from cracking, fading and hardening."
    It definitely does not have that greasy feel of Armor All or the smell. I'm thinking petroleum distillates over time could breakdown rubber or vinyl. Not a chemist tho. Are you?
     
  14. dinode

    dinode Rookie

    Nov 22, 2009
    34
    livingston nj
    Full Name:
    Dean De Furia
    Ok, don't laugh but Mop 'n Glo ( floor stuff) works great on almost anything vinyl. It's waterproof, shines nice, won't wash off and streak the paint like armor all. Just make sure what you put it on is super clean before you seal it.
     
  15. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    I thought the Targa top had an acrylic surface? I took some Meguiars clear coat polishing (find at a boat store) compound and polished the top about 6 times to get the gloss. Then the application of a good wax keeps the shine. It is a bit of a pita to buff out the wax to leave the top black and with a shine, with no excess "white" polish left on the top. I recommend doing a small corner, if you don't like it, you didn't do the entire top.

    Back to Black is fine, it works like an oil. It will wash off after some time.
     
  16. Island Time

    Island Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 18, 2004
    11,994
    E. TN
    Full Name:
    David
    #16 Island Time, Jan 29, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. mike

    mike Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    721
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Mike
    I had used acrylic clear floor wax on a Jeep soft top and a 70 Chevelle SS with black vinyl top...worked well
     
  18. Big Daddy

    Big Daddy Karting

    Jan 3, 2009
    212
    Albuquerque, NM, USA
    Full Name:
    RJ
    I went though all the same posts last year. The top is fiberglass gel coat with an imprinted texture. It is not vinyl, so those products usually just give temporary results.

    I finally decided to paint it. I cleaned the top with acetone and a scotch bright pad. Don't use sand paper because you can sand down the texture. I taped the chrome trim and painted with Rustoleum satin black. That's it. Took about two hours total.

    A year later it still looks like new. I park outside, and the sun hear is very harsh, so I know this method works. If it ever does start to fade, I'll just shoot it again.

    You could also use a gloss black, depending on how glossy you keep your other black trim. For me the satin looks just like the original, so I went with that. I also plan to touch up the black trim lines the same way this spring.
     
  19. jgoodman

    jgoodman F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 29, 2009
    3,267
    Central PA
    Full Name:
    Jay Goodman
    Do you have before and after pics you could post?
     
  20. buckminster

    buckminster Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2005
    989
    On the water, SWFL
    Full Name:
    Nicholas Raftis
    I was just going to re-do the targa top, and I was considering using this product -

    http://www.hanmotorsports.com/Exterior-Care/Leatherique-Rubber-Black-Dye-8-oz-p8.html

    ---Leatherique Rubber Black Dye

    From the web site: "Leatherique Rubber Black Dye is much more than a dressing. This is a permanent dye that re-colors black bumpers, trim, moldings, and hoses. Black rubber fades fast under daily sun exposure. Faded, gray trim makes your vehicle look old and neglected. Leatherique Rubber Black Dye undoes the damage in a matter of minutes and the results last indefinitely!

    Leatherique Rubber Black Dye is easy to apply. Be sure to clean the rubber thoroughly to remove residues, dirt, and exhaust film. Use a cleaner to clean and degrease rubber trim and bumpers. Then use a foam applicator pad to apply Leatherique Rubber Black Dye to the rubber. Apply an even coat and allow the Leatherique Rubber Black Dye to dry for an hour. If any dye gets on the paint, simply wipe it off.

    In the time it takes to apply Leatherique Rubber Black Dye, your vehicle will be transformed! Dull, gray trim and bumpers will look like new. If you’re looking for an easy, permanent solution to faded exterior rubber trim, look no further than Leatherique Rubber Black Dye.

    Rubber Black Dye by Leatherique re-colors black rubber trim in minutes and keeps it black. Restore the dark, rich color to bumpers, moldings and hoses with this permanent black rubber dye. Leatherique Rubber Black Dye will turn rubber surfaces back to black and keep them black.

    Leatherique Rubber Black Dye is much more than a dressing. This is a permanent dye that re-colors black bumpers, trim, moldings, and hoses. Black rubber fades fast under daily sun exposure. Faded, gray trim makes your vehicle look old and neglected. Leatherique Rubber Black Dye undoes the damage in a matter of minutes and the results last indefinitely!"

    Anybody have any experience with this product?
     
  21. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,182
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    Full Name:
    John
    The top isn't rubber though so I don't see the leatherique product being the best solution?
     
  22. buckminster

    buckminster Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2005
    989
    On the water, SWFL
    Full Name:
    Nicholas Raftis
    Tried the Back to Black yesterday on the targa top. Wonderful! Highly recommend.
     

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