I am finally driving my new 1987 Cadillac Brougham with a full vinyl top. Unfortunately I don't have a car port or garage to park it in (like the previous owner did for some 14 years) and it's currently in great condition, so it's outside now; in the weather and in the sun continuously... I feel SO bad, sooo... how often should I wipe on a vinyl roof care product to help protect it?

I merely ask this, because I heard one can treat the roof too much and cause it to discoloration.

Whatda say? Your comments are appreciated, thanks!

303 products are a low gloss suncreen for cars and boats and the best for your vinyl. Google 303 to find out more. It was designed for aerospace applications. I have used it for almost 20 years. It is the best to keep your top looking like new and unlike other products, 303 will not attract dirt nor discolor your top. The vinyl top on my 1979 Cad has been protected with 303 and looks just like new despite being regularly exposed to the hot sun and elements here in Florida. :) Dave

I should also say, use 303 on all the plastic and vinyl and leather in your interior to keep it protected from the sun. :)

I use Murphy's oil soap for all of my vinyl and leather surfaces, and I haven't had a problem with sun damage.

Ehow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_2300008_clean-leather-oil.html) has an article on the procedure to use when cleaning with oil soap. I don't dilute it in water; I just use a damp rag and pour the oil soap directly onto the roof.

303 products are a low gloss suncreen for cars and boats and the best for your vinyl. Google 303 to find out more. It was designed for aerospace applications. I have used it for almost 20 years. It is the best to keep your top looking like new and unlike other products, 303 will not attract dirt nor discolor your top. The vinyl top on my 1979 Cad has been protected with 303 and looks just like new despite being regularly exposed to the hot sun and elements here in Florida. :) Dave

Hmm... never heard of 303, I'll look it up, but thanks, do you buy it online or from a store, by chance? Although how often do you apply it too? So I'll knowif and when I buy. Again thanks!

Just to make sure too... these products? http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/1/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm

I use Murphy's oil soap for all of my vinyl and leather surfaces, and I haven't had a problem with sun damage.

Ehow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_2300008_clean-leather-oil.html) has an article on the procedure to use when cleaning with oil soap. I don't dilute it in water; I just use a damp rag and pour the oil soap directly onto the roof.

Thanks too! I'll check it out as well.

Hmm... never heard of 303, I'll look it up, but thanks, do you buy it online or from a store, by chance? Although how often do you apply it too? So I'll knowif and when I buy. Again thanks!

Just to make sure too... these products? http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/1/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm
Bro-Ham, never mind the store or online question... I missed all that info. on the website, there are some stores here in town that carry the products, at least should - I'll give them a call to make sure. Again thanks!

You may also e-mail 303 products with questions of any kind and you will get an expert and personal response. I apply 303 every month or two and it is easy to spray on and wipe off. If you're serious about preserving your stuff from mother nature's harshness then 303 is the only way to fly. :) Good luck and have fun with your new Cadillac! Dave

Has anyone heard of Vinylex protectant by Lexol company?...I think its pretty much the same thing as 303..just curious if anyone has used it on their roofs and how it compares to 303?...better or worse?

You may also e-mail 303 products with questions of any kind and you will get an expert and personal response. I apply 303 every month or two and it is easy to spray on and wipe off. If you're serious about preserving your stuff from mother nature's harshness then 303 is the only way to fly. :) Good luck and have fun with your new Cadillac! Dave

Thanks again! Yesterday I drove over to the nearest store that carries 303 products and purchased a bottle, a little high, but well worth it if it really works, as you said! Costly to eventually get that vinyl top redone.

Used it that afternoon and still today it has a slight shine and no dust attracted to it, unlike the one time I used Armor-All on it soon after I bought the car.

James,

303 isn't cheap. But it does work. You and your car will both appreciate it as the years roll by. :)

Dave

Dave, you sure are right about the 303.
When I bought my first Brougham I picked up a bottle of McGuire's vinyl care for the top. It was just okay. This past weekend I went out and picked up a bottle of 303, as I remembered you mentioning it in a different post, and WOW, what a great product. The top looks incredible.

That's great! Going without 303 on your car is like us going to the beach without sunscreen. Try it on every piece of plastic, leather, and vinyl on your car, both inside and out, and you'll see the difference, especially over time. Our great cars deserve all the protection they can get!

Is 303 okay for leather seats?..I thought it was for rubber/plastic parts only. or are leather conditioners a must for leather seats?

Is 303 okay for leather seats?..I thought it was for rubber/plastic parts only. or are leather conditioners a must for leather seats?

I don't know about 303 and leather, but I do know that Murphy's Oil soap acts as a conditioner for leather. I've been using it on my work boots, for the past four years, and minus a few nicks and scuffs, they still look new. I use the Murphy's on all the interior leather and vinyl of my car and I haven't had any problems with cracking or even wrinkles in the seats.

Is 303 okay for leather seats?..I thought it was for rubber/plastic parts only. or are leather conditioners a must for leather seats?

tb, 303 is made for plastic, vinyl, and rubber, yet I've used it for years on leather and it gives the same type of low sheen protection without the slip and slide of other products. Send the 303 people an e-mail and ask them about using it on leather. Maybe I'll drop them a line myself. :) Dave

I e-mailed 303 and the official word they say is 303 Protectant works great on leather! :) I've used it on leather for years and years and it's fabulous.

I e-mailed 303 and the official word they say is 303 Protectant works great on leather! :) I've used it on leather for years and years and it's fabulous.

That's good to hear, I think I'll put some on my seats - when it's time to treat the roof next week. Thanks!

The original question still hasn't been answered. How often should we be conditioning our vinyl tops? With every wash? Once a month?

The original question still hasn't been answered. How often should we be conditioning our vinyl tops? With every wash? Once a month?

Well the back of the bottle (for the 303 Protectant) says every 3 weeks or so... so about once a month... that's what I'm going to do anyway.

Robb, it's your call. Either follow the directions on the product you're using or go by eye. You'll know when your top looks like it needs some sunscreen. 303 lasts a surprisingly long time, at least for me, although my car is a cupcake since it's under cover at night and in a garage at the office but since the car is driven daily it does get plenty of exposure to harsh Florida sunshine when I'm out and about. I put on 303 about every 2 months although if the car were outside regularly I'd do it more often. Dave :)

Robb, it's your call. Either follow the directions on the product you're using or go by eye. You'll know when your top looks like it needs some sunscreen. 303 lasts a surprisingly long time, at least for me, although my car is a cupcake since it's under cover at night and in a garage at the office but since the car is driven daily it does get plenty of exposure to harsh Florida sunshine when I'm out and about. I put on 303 about every 2 months although if the car were outside regularly I'd do it more often. Dave :)

At the risk of sounding like a drugged newbie or something...

Heh, a cupcake, I find that funny referring to a car, I don't know why.

Anyway, my car could have been considered a "cupcake" due to its previous owner(s). The top is in great condition and the previous owner, a 73 year-old lady (yup it was a genuine "grandma's car") for 15 years or so always kept it either garaged or under a carport... even AFTER she bought a new car (last of the Buick Park Avenues) she kept the Caddy under the carport, with the Buick outside, until she sold it. Ha.

I unfortunately don't have the luxury of either and it is outside all the time, I feel so bad about that - thus I made this thread. So I'm going to use it once a month or sooner if it looks like it needs it.

Ha! Even a couple of days after I bought it, it rained a little and I felt bad the car got wet... I have a problem :cookoo: haha.

A few times I even have, between classes, find myself going back to my Caddy in the lot just to look and check up on it... :cookoo: haha... I so should/need to name it, but I can't think of a good one yet.

Ahhhh. I love it when car people have love affairs with their cars! I do the same kind of stuff James - - it's all part of the fun! One thing I use is "The Absorber" which is a magical chamois-like towel, except, unlike a chamois which only wipes off water, the absorber actually absorbs a considerable amount of water so you can wipe your car off whenever it gets wet and you want it dry in a hurry. If you've watched commercials for "sham-wow" I suspect "the absorber" is the same kind of thing. If you like your car looking concours nice all the time you should look into getting one of these so you'll always look on top of your game! :) Dave

I used to condition my top and my seats every weekend, until i decided i was fighting a losing battle against 20 years of wear and tear. I'm pretty sure neither of my car's two previous owners had a garage.

I need money for a repaint and top badly. I'm accepting donations, thanks.

lol Giovanni, I'd be accepting them too. :P

I can't wait to get my car on the road. I'll definitely give it a name. And I'll definitely be the guy who double parks everywhere to avoid nitwits with trucks who can't drive from hitting me.

I used to condition my top and my seats every weekend, until i decided i was fighting a losing battle against 20 years of wear and tear. I'm pretty sure neither of my car's two previous owners had a garage.

I need money for a repaint and top badly. I'm accepting donations, thanks.

I feel your pain Giovanni; if this helps I will gladly donate my casino cash to you - I can't think of anything better to use it for than to do some fixin' on your car. :)

I e-mailed 303 and the official word they say is 303 Protectant works great on leather! :) I've used it on leather for years and years and it's fabulous.

So Bro-Ham, does the 303 on your leather keep it moist/soft?..or do you also apply leather care products from time to time to keep it from getting hard and cracking?

Best,
Tabz

So Bro-Ham, does the 303 on your leather keep it moist/soft?..or do you also apply leather care products from time to time to keep it from getting hard and cracking?

Best,
Tabz

Tabz,

If your leather is already nice and soft use 303 to keep it that way. The chemistry of 303 protects your leather, vinyl, rubber, and plastic by blocking the sun from penetrating, breaking it down or fading it out.

If your leather is already hard and cracking you can apply 303 to prevent more damage yet, ideally, you need to revitalize the leather first. The best product I've used to nourish and soften abused leather is Leatherique, and although it is time consuming to do the whole process correctly, it does yield buttery soft and supple leather the way it should be. Google "Leatherique" to learn more. It's a small family company and all the make are leather restoration products.

I've seen the long term results from using 303 so that's why I'm so passionate about it. I've shown cars competitively as my hobby for nearly 20 years and was turned on to 303 in the early 1990's by a car/boat nut friend who is a total perfectionist. I was skeptical but after using it, and now knowing others who do, it is the best I've seen for outstanding protection year in and year out. I've also seen folks who have sworn by other leather and vinyl conditioners, oils, and treatments over the years because almost anything can put on some type of shine. I have to bite my tongue after seeing these poor cars and their owners over the years when these cars don't look as good as they should. So, I stay away from Armor All, Connelly's Hide Food, Lexol, and anything with oil, petroleum, or silicon.

Good luck! :)

Dave

I have used Armor-All Ultra Shine product on my Caddy for a while. But here in FLorida it always end us running down the back window after a night in the Florida humidity ( which I guess what causes that). Does the 303 have this issue?

Gene

Hi Gene, 303 does not have that issue at all. You spray 303 on, apply it evenly, then wipe dry. My car is in Florida sun and rain constantly and 303 stands up to our harsh environment and I get compliments on the nice condition of my top all the time. :) Dave

Thanks Bro-Ham! I will definitely give the 303 a try on my leather. I'm currently using "vinylex" for my vinyl top/dash board and has worked really well, but being that they are owned by lexol I think I may try out your 303 product for my seats.

Best,
Tabz

Today I bough 16 oz of 303 Aerospace Protectant for $16.50 at Eastern Mountain Sports.

a n d . . . :)

a n d . . . :)

lol Did not try yet. That info was for the East Coasters.
http://www.ems.com/storeLocator/

Hi Gene, 303 does not have that issue at all. You spray 303 on, apply it evenly, then wipe dry. My car is in Florida sun and rain constantly and 303 stands up to our harsh environment and I get compliments on the nice condition of my top all the time. :) Dave

Awesome! Thanks a lot Dave, I am going to give it a go in a couple days here.

Hi Gene, 303 does not have that issue at all. You spray 303 on, apply it evenly, then wipe dry. My car is in Florida sun and rain constantly and 303 stands up to our harsh environment and I get compliments on the nice condition of my top all the time. :) Dave

Indeed! Mine seems to be holding up pretty well too... and that's in Kansas' schizophrenic weather! In the past week I've got like 4 or 5 comments on how good and clean my Caddy looks and the top too.

Only problem I came across was my own fault... the cloth I used to to apply it yesterday apparently flaked pieces of cotton everywhere... had to wipe them away and now not sure if I should reapply the 303 or not... I didn't rub the cotton pieces off too hard.

Other than that, it's been a good product!

Yeah starting this up again, but it's a little different this time...

So I woke up this morning and glanced out the window to my Caddy that I tend to do every morning after getting up and I a layer of frost across my vinyl top... then once I got all ready and went out to start it I was like "Ah crap no..."

SO my question is... since there is a product for the sun's damaging effect (i.e. 303) is there a product to help protect the vinyl against ice/frost?

Just curious since, as mentioned, I unforunately do not have any cover for my Caddy and it since outside all the time :crybaby:

Today I bough 16 oz of 303 Aerospace Protectant for $16.50 at Eastern Mountain Sports.

UPDATE. The product looks like a milk and is easy to apply. Unfortunately, we have got a lot of rain in New England. I have noticed that rain washes out it, and all the windows are covered with 303...
Do you think there is still a thick enough layer of 303 after a few rainy days?

Huf, Note that in the instructions you need to wipe the 303 on and then wipe it off immediately, almost buff it in. The 303 on my vinyl top stays on it and has never run off in the rain as you described and it shouldn't since it becomes a protective layer on the vinyl. Maybe try to use a cleaner to remove what may have been on the top previously. Check the 303 website for their cleaner or drop them an e-mail and you'll perhaps get a better idea of what's happening.

Huf, Note that in the instructions you need to wipe the 303 on and then wipe it off immediately, almost buff it in. The 303 on my vinyl top stays on it and has never run off in the rain as you described and it shouldn't since it becomes a protective layer on the vinyl. Maybe try to use a cleaner to remove what may have been on the top previously. Check the 303 website for their cleaner or drop them an e-mail and you'll perhaps get a better idea of what's happening.
Bro-Ham,

That's what I did - applied 303 with a sponge and wiped it dry.

What were you using before? I've never had the problem as you described with the 303 slipping off. I also apply 303 sparingly and wipe it dry to a healthy low luster shine. On my cars the 303 has held on and on for months and months with no issues so I can only imagine perhaps there may be a silicon or aromor all residue still on your top. Or maybe it's the texture of the vinyl on your car - - is it the smooth "Elk Grain" or is it more grooved? My vinyl is Elk Grain and despite being in the sun pretty regularly it still looks great! Rain and sun just don't seem to affect the loveliness of my 30 year old 303 protected vinyl top.

What were you using before? I've never had the problem as you described with the 303 slipping off. I also apply 303 sparingly and wipe it dry to a healthy low luster shine. On my cars the 303 has held on and on for months and months with no issues so I can only imagine perhaps there may be a silicon or aromor all residue still on your top. Or maybe it's the texture of the vinyl on your car - - is it the smooth "Elk Grain" or is it more grooved? My vinyl is Elk Grain and despite being in the sun pretty regularly it still looks great! Rain and sun just don't seem to affect the loveliness of my 30 year old 303 protected vinyl top.

The dealer used silicon spray, which I removed with mild soap and water, and after it dried, covered with some vinyl treatment I had bought at Advance. Before applying 303, I have removed the old stuff with mild soap and water, and in a few hours applied 303. Looks like i need to thoroughly clean my vinyl top again and try 303. My top is not smooth and has some black dots (mold?) I could not get rid off.

If you think you have mold, you can use Tea Tree Oil to kill it. I've never used it but I've heard that it nourishes and rejuvenates leather surfaces.

If you think you have mold, you can use Tea Tree Oil to kill it. I've never used it but I've heard that it nourishes and rejuvenates leather surfaces.

Thanks, Sven. It is very discrete and does not bother me much.