What do I have going on here?

[Tilar]

I put this top on maybe 2 years ago and it looked fine until a couple months ago. It doesn't wash out with soap and water either. Almost looks like the glue bleeding through.

[Ghoste]

Wow, it looks like one of those sun bleached things that was sitting in a yard in Arizona for 15 years.

[Fred]

Have you tried a vinyl restorer Tilar. I'm pretty sure that will take care of the problem.

[Tilar]

I haven't tried anything on it yet other than regular soap and water, but I will give it a try.  I wasn't sure what to try short of a dye or something and I didnt think of a vinyl restorer..

[Indygenerallee]

You need to put some sort of vinyl dressing on that.

[Fred]

I haven't tried anything on it yet other than regular soap and water, but I will give it a try.  I wasn't sure what to try short of a dye or something and I didnt think of a vinyl restorer..

I'm pretty sure you won't have to mess around with dyes, the vinyl restorer will do the trick. 

[Ghoste]

Anyone have an idea what it is?

[charger Downunder]

Lick it looks like salt. Maybe mould.

[Ghoste]

 

[Cooter]

You need to put some sort of vinyl dressing on that.

I was gonna say looks like Tony Stewart needs to come over with the ArmorAll.

[bill440rt]

Use this. 

http://www.wolfsteins.com/index2.php

[Tilar]

Lick it looks like salt. Maybe mould.

Salt? no. It's never been near salt since I've had it. It could be mold but I've never seen white mold.

[Ghoste]

Is it chalky at all or just a discoloration?

[HeavyFuel]

Would a top that is only a couple years old need a rejuvenating product?  Somethings not right.

[Tilar]

Is it chalky at all or just a discoloration?

Discoloration. I can wipe my hand over it and nothing comes off.

[74bluecharger440]

Nothing showing up on the headliner? Pull back and peek

[Tilar]

I cant imagine anything inside the headliner, the roof is pretty solid. When I got the car, I took the old top off, sanded down the roof and repainted it and then put the new top on. I used the 3M spray adhesive to glue it down. Granted it was my first one but I thought it turned out decent for a beginner.

I'm going to try to get by the parts store and get some of the vinyl restorer that Fred mentioned and see what that does. It would be easy if it works.

[Indygenerallee]

Have you ever put any vinyl dressing on it???

[Fred]

I cant imagine anything inside the headliner, the roof is pretty solid. When I got the car, I took the old top off, sanded down the roof and repainted it and then put the new top on. I used the 3M spray adhesive to glue it down. Granted it was my first one but I thought it turned out decent for a beginner.

I'm going to try to get by the parts store and get some of the vinyl restorer that Fred mentioned and see what that does. It would be easy if it works.

Tilar I've been using 303 Aerospace Protectant  for years now. In my opinion it's the best. It will not only restore the vinyl but will also protect it from those dreaded UV rays that cause fading over time and any sun damage. Plus it's silicone free.
Check it out......  www.303products.com

[bill440rt]

Just curious as to what type of soap you are using? If you are washing it with a hose, are you rinsing it off thoroughly?
As a long shot, how "hard" is your water? Could it be calcium deposits? Could be a stretch, just exploring all possibilities. 

[Tilar]

I just use whatever is down at the local car wash that comes through the scrub brush. We have pretty good water around here, not hard at all.

[charger Downunder]

I just use whatever is down at the local car wash that comes through the scrub brush. We have pretty good water around here, not hard at all.

Well that explains it defiantly salt cheap detergent and i bet recycled water. Like i said give it a lick i bet its salty.

[JB400]

The only top I would lick would be on a good-lookin female.

[Ghoste]

 
Yeah, thats good licking right there.


 If it were caused by car wash detergent, wouldn't you be able to feel it?

[bill440rt]

If you must wash it with a hose, next time try washing it at HOME by hand with a good brand car wash soap. Stay away from the cheap stuff.
You may want to try scrubbing that top first with some Meguiar's Vinyl Cleaner or similar vinyl cleaner product. Use a nice bristle cleaning brush. Then wash the car. Dry thoroughly, & apply a protectant designed for vinyl tops.

[Indygenerallee]

you use the scrub brush at your local car wash!!!  I have see people clean 4 wheelers after they went mudding at the carwash, That has to be the absolute worst way to clean your car, all that crap embedded in that scrub brush head and your engraining it into your finish. Hand wash it at home! 

[JB400]

There ain't noting wrong with washing your car at the car wash.  Yeah, I work at one part time.  When I wash the bays out, the brush gets it as well.  Feel free to take precautions and rinse it out yourself.   As far as car wash detergent causing that, I don't know, but anythings possible.

[Tilar]

No, he doesn't recycle his water and I always spray the brush down with the wand before I turn the brush on.  It's not salt because salt would come off with the brush.

[Indygenerallee]

Those brushes at the car wash don't do your paint finish any favors!