vinyl top protector

[88Vic]

Looking for something to apply to the vinyl roof to keep it protected from the sun so it doesn't start to crack. It'll be a million times easier to use a protector of some sort rather than let it crack and have to rip it off.

What stuff have you guys used? I heard baby oil actually works very well as it reflects the sunlight. Anyone else heard that or used it?

[tjc78]

The consensus on most if not all auto forums is 303 Aerospace protectant. I think you have to order online, I've never seen it in stores.

I really wouldn't think about putting baby oil on the top. I doubt it has any UV resisting properties and would most likely run off all over the back window and sides of the car.

[86VickyLX]

The best protection for a vinyl top is a garage... That protector is the next best thing.

[miamibob]

AMAZON has it (303).

[onedollarbob]

I once had an upholstery guy cringe at me when I asked about baby oil for vinyl and leather. It will cook your vinyl top under the sun, and attract dirt.

You want something with UV protectant and that is not just a dressing but actually a vinyl preservative. Aerospace 303 is awesome, but if you are lazy like me, the stores always have Lexol or Meguiar's products that are pretty decent for protecting vinyl. Stay away from Armoral, and under no circumstances let anybody talk you into Mop and Glo (ask me how I know).

[rsolis]

How do you know?

[sly]

I know, because I use the 303 protectant.

[88Vic]

The garage isn't an option, I live in an apartment and they only have carports which half the time the sun shines in on anyways, but there are some stores around here that carry 303, my work sells it too so I can get it easily.

And I know not to use ArmorAll, it dries out vinyl and cracks it badly, better not to use anything than that junk. We use it on the trucks at work, since the big bosses upstairs say to use it, so we say "f it, not our trucks so who cares" lol.

[87gtVIC]

I am also a big 303 believer and user. If not buffed heavily into the vinyl it will run some onto the paint but it ain't bad. There was a conversation on this forum some months back about this same topic. Someone chimed in and mentioned a product like 303 but it does not run. May be something worth looking into.

[johnunit]

If they have them there, try Autoglym products. It's what I use to replenish the colour of my already faded and cracked vinyl.

[mercurygm88]

I use turtle wax leather/vinyl cleaner, and then follow with a UV protectant for vinyl I got from the local Oreillys, I cant remember what the protector is called though.

[alchemist]

I've used 303 for years. Great stuff. It's used a lot by folks that take boats out. The sun bakes the vinyl and it really does protect. Doesn't give you the greasy feel like Armor All. Look up some Marine or Boating supply places around where you live. They should have it.

[alchemist]

I have also heard good things about Meguiar's #40. It's hard to find, but a lot of the Corvette forum folks swear by it. Have never tried it.

[atikovi]

Google Por-Glo.

[gadget73]

The guy that did my vinyl top actually told me to use Pledge. I use the 303 tho. I like it because its not greasy like Armor-All and some other products.