Need Help with vinyl top

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 03:25 PM

Hi all,
Im new to this forum and new to owning a Cadillac..I just purchased a 1992 Cadillac brougham d'elegance and the top looks kinda dingy and moldy(i think its mold) I was wondering if anyone had any suggestion on if i should replace it and how and where to buy it from and how much it would cost..or is there a way i can paint it or if you have any suggestions let me know..
thanks

**Stingroo** · 02-05-10 03:28 PM

Paint nooooooooo.

Is the top itself cracked and ruined? Or just dirty?

Try cleaning it with Simple Green and a soft brush, if it's still in good shape. They can be replaced, and they can also be removed, but paint is a huge no-no.

**Bro-Ham** · 02-05-10 03:44 PM

Do you mean dye the top? If so it probably can be done economically if the existing vinyl top material is not dried out, cracked, or rotted. There should be a supplier online to get spray dye in the color of your top. If the top can be cleaned that is the best and easiest route. Replacing the whole top is the best real way to fix the problem.

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 03:48 PM

no cuts tears or rips just dingy heres some pics i just took

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 04:22 PM

just dirty no tears scratches or rips

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 04:24 PM

yea i did mean dye not paint sorry

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 04:26 PM

**DaveyB0i** · 02-05-10 04:27 PM

hers some pics of it

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y.../02051538b.jpg
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y...i/02051539.jpg
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y.../02051538a.jpg
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/y.../02051538a.jpg

**Stingroo** · 02-05-10 04:36 PM

Are those like, small holes all through the top? Or just spots?

If they're spots, definitely grab some simple green and scrub it.

**Bro-Ham** · 02-05-10 04:41 PM

That car looks like it was in Florida. I saw a completely moldy 92 or so Sedan deVille - it had a moldy vinyl top AND moldy paint! See if you can get the mold off and if the vinyl is still decent you're set. Sven can give you a potion of some sort that will clean it otherwise I know there are some folks who can give you advice on the safest way to clean it with chemicals. I'm not sure of this but it may be possible to use a small amount of bleach with water to kill the mold - don't hold me to that and hopefully some others on the forum will have something to say on this.

If it does clean up you can use a product called "303" which will protect the top from future sun damage and also molding like that again since the 303 forms a barrier against contaminants and ultraviolet sun damage since the mold is adhering to the top material which has disintegrated enough for the contaminants to bond to it.

If your vinyl top is in nice shape but you can't get it to shine or it needs a boost to look vibrant, you can use spray dye and the resulting finish, if you apply it carefully, will look just like fresh clean rich luscious new vinyl.

The dye is like paint but it penetrates and adheres better. Personally I'd want to get the mold/mildew off first. Preparation is the most important thing if you go the dye route.

Good luck!

Dave

**77CDV** · 02-05-10 04:46 PM

Getting past all the ice, it looks like mold of some sort. Simple Green can work well, or a non-chlorinated cleanser like Bon Ami, applied with a little water and a soft bristle brush. Be sure to clean the top in small sections at a time, and rinse both the top and the body with generous amounts of water to avoid streaking of the paint. Once to top is thoroughly clean and dry, apply a vinyl protectant (I like Vinylex) to preserve the top and restore shine. I don't envy you doing this in the snow and cold.

Craig

*EDIT* I take it back. It's not mold. I looks like soot and contaminants deposited by the snow. Be sure to give the car a good wash and wax while you're at it. This stuff can etch the paint if it's not removed.

**Bro-Ham** · 02-05-10 06:21 PM

Craig, I disagree that it's soot deposited by the snow. It's under the roof drip molding - Florida style - it's everywhere.

**sven914** · 02-05-10 06:57 PM

Tea Tree oil kills mold...

But for something that extreme, use ammonia diluted in water on a 4-1 ratio (4 units of water).

You can get vinyl top re-coloring kits, but not many come in white. Leatherworldtech.com offers an artic white re-color kit for '93-'02 Corvette tops, which might match your factory color.

**csbuckn** · 02-05-10 08:52 PM

I've never seen anything like that before. To me, it looks like the top is peeling, like its been sitting for a long time, maybe down south. Whatever it is, it looks like dye would work.

**hearseman** · 02-05-10 10:01 PM

Take it to a good detail shop. They will make it look like new. They did mine. My white top had some minor mildew but had also yellowed. It looks great now. Bright and white. They sprayed something on it and scrubbed with a brush. A good bathroom cleaner for mildew might work too. Just make sure that is does not have any bleech in it. Most of them do.