cleaning the top

[miata5620]

ok my 99 top was blue once but it is mostly black now. my guess is the last owner didnt clean or condition it properly. i have tried using a couple of top cleaners blue magic and one other. any ideas on how to get the black off and get it back to the factory blue? someone said to try using the mr clean eraser but that is basicly a abrasiive sponge and i dont know what that would do to the top.thanks for the help.

[MeFryRice]

The Magic Sponge (or at least thats the name of it in Japan, where it originated from) won't do anything for the top besides tear up the sponge.

Is your top vinyl or fabric?

Try using RaggTop. It works awesome! Most of us S2Kers use it on our cars.

http://www.jpmcoachworks.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_37&osCsid=dd11866268815222cf43c86f06677e96

[miata5620]

its a vinyl top ill try the ragtop cleaner maybe it will work.

[MeFryRice]

It's worked great for us and don't see why it wouldn't do the same for you. Yours will probably needed more elbow work since it's almost black but in the end, will be worth it!

Please take a before and after pic for us so I can post it on S2kAtlanta. :D

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Good thread, I was thinking about this for my own top recently.

[miata5620]

yeah i will take some pictures to see how it works. now that i finally have an off day tomorrow might spend the day cleaning the car up.

[metalman]

I have had pretty good results on vinyl tops using 303 Convertible Top Cleaner and a brush.
After cleaning wipe it down with 303 Protectant.