cleaning and care of canvas top

[gravely8199]

thought I'd get some input from yall on the best methods for cleaning and caring for the top canvas. i have heard everything from Spray9 then beeswax, to leave it alone! i havent the luxury of a nice dry garage to store the ole boy, so it is something i would like to keep abreast on.

[Carter]

First off, no power washing, using a power washer, even set in fan spray will leave stripes of different color on the canvas. I do not use any kind of soap or detergent, doing so will wash away some or all of the water proofing which not only will result in a leaky top but premature rotting since the fabric would no longer be protected from moisture.
Dust removal is done by sweeping it carefully then hanging it over a line strung up between a couple of trees and then using a garden hose on fine spray wash away anything not removed after sweeping, sun dry then install.

[k8icu]

Brush the canvas with a stiff brush like Carter said. If you want to re-waterproof get a can of Canvak. (Google search will find many sellers of the product) Canvak is good because is because it a preservative

[PoW]

Good question. Out here, rag tops won't last a year out in our sun, unless you have a garage queen and only take it out for parades.

I've seen custom jobs made of Herculite last a couple years, before the thread gives way and the thing beats you senseless on the freeway in an explosion of ripping.

Hard tops reign supreme in the Valley of the Sun.

Dennis aka the PoW