Convertible issues

[OHHHSTANG]

Hey guys, how's everyone going? So i have a question about the convertible version mustang... my mustang is parked outside so it gets alot of rubbish landing on it on a windy day... today was a nice day so i dropped the roof and after i got home i closed the roof and noticed alot of leafs, grass and just about everything else that falls from trees all stuck to the roof. Is there anyway i can clean that out or wash it away? Just worried all that stuff will block any drain holes in the roof compartment and cause rust. Cheers in advance guys

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[radar]

I brush off gently what I can with soft dust brush.
What remains I vac out

 

[apsilon]

I haven't see the Mustang soft top up close. I'm assuming it's fabric rather than vinyl but I did have an MX-5 (still my favourite car, and I've had a lot of cars) for 9 years so can offer some general advice.

Soft brush (Vikan is the brand I use, have one for wheels, one for wheel wells, several for interior etc) should be used when washing as it'll clean out the "pores" of the fabric better than a wool/microfibre mit etc.

There are a lot of good soft top treatment products these days, sort of a wax for fabric if you will, that'll not only protect the top but make it easier to remove stuff/less likely to stick in the first place. I can't specifically recommend any as they weren't around when I had the MX-5 and it was vinyl so only needed a vinyl protectant such a 303 anyway. Check out detailing forums and car care site. Detail Paradise is an Aussie forum and probably a good place to start.

Window I assume is glass so nothing special required there unlike the old plastic style.

Drainage. You absolutely will get a build up of basically "mulch" in the drain ways. Learn where they are and clean them out regularly. Brush, bit of wire poked in from below, compressed air, vac etc. Whatever works. Keep them clear.

If you can avoid it don't park under trees. That goes for convertibles and hard tops. The shade is tempting but the bird shite, sap and other rubbish just isn't worth the extra cleaning hassles.

Other than that keep the top down.

 

[Hellman109]

I haven't see the Mustang soft top up close. I'm assuming it's fabric rather than vinyl.

Correct.

I put on Meguires convertible waterproofer too, just do it on a more still day (my first attempt was a windy day and I got patchy coverage, did it again on a still day and it works great).

It waterproofs the outer layer so water beads on it, plus it protects the fabric.

As for bigger stuff, yeah just brush it off with a soft brush at most, but I mainly just use my hand and also wash it JUST with water when I wash my car.

OP just give your top an eye over before driving off to get rid of larger stuff, Id recommend the waterproofer (Meguires and 303 being the common ones, Meguires for the can and the cleaner you use beforehand was $70 IIRC) which protects the fabric from anything thats sticky or stuff, it also UV protects it for long term protection.

 

[CVCashmere]

Use the Plastic Tonneau Covers

the Tonneau covers will help prevent stuff from falling down the sides of the roof.

What I did is bought a car cover for verts from American Muscle and attached punji cables from it to the frame to prevent it from blowing away in really high winds. Keeps my car clean ALL DAY while I am at work. After work, I take off the cover and drive home!

Enjoy the Vert!

CVCashmere

 

[OHHHSTANG]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, much appreciated. If someone has a detailed link on how to get to the drain holes, that would be awesome.

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