best way to condition targa top ?

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!

 

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

 

1+
Back to Black works great. Can be purchased at most auto supply stores in the U.S.

 

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!

 

ArmorAll seems to work fine for me. Am I missing something?

 

+1
Applied it a year ago and after several washes looks still fine!

 

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.

 

+1 "back to black"
Works great, very easy to apply.

 

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?

 

I've used Griot's Vinyl & Rubber Dressing. Doesn't Amor All tend to turn brown in the sun?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

....and you can polish your shoes with it too!
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I had used acrylic clear floor wax on a Jeep soft top and a 70 Chevelle SS with black vinyl top...worked well

 

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.

 

Do you have before and after pics you could post?

 

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?

 

The top isn't rubber though so I don't see the leatherique product being the best solution?

 

Tried the Back to Black yesterday on the targa top. Wonderful! Highly recommend.