What do YOU use to condition your top, cabrio owners?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2018
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2004 CLK55 AMG
What do YOU use to condition your top, cabrio owners?
Hey there!
I’ve found a lot of information on how to clean and seal a soft top, but I haven’t found anything on how to make the top look ‘hydrated’ so to speak.
As one can imagine, an 04 CLK55 that although is covered 70% of the time, gets driven often in the sun. The top on my car looks great, and I have no qualms with it - but when I look at it, I wonder if there is a wax, balm, or petroleum(? I have no idea) based product that I could use to make the top look more lush and healthy looking, like a pair of nice leather shoes after putting conditioner on them and wiping them down. Hand cream to hands in winter, etc,
Anyway. I’m sure someone has thought of this. I’m typing in “Mercedes/fabric top conditioners” but just seeing cleaners. I’m not seeing much but I may be searching the wrong keywords.
Thanks in advance. I’m planning on sealing my top in the near future, and want to do this before I do that, if possible.
I’ve found a lot of information on how to clean and seal a soft top, but I haven’t found anything on how to make the top look ‘hydrated’ so to speak.
As one can imagine, an 04 CLK55 that although is covered 70% of the time, gets driven often in the sun. The top on my car looks great, and I have no qualms with it - but when I look at it, I wonder if there is a wax, balm, or petroleum(? I have no idea) based product that I could use to make the top look more lush and healthy looking, like a pair of nice leather shoes after putting conditioner on them and wiping them down. Hand cream to hands in winter, etc,
Anyway. I’m sure someone has thought of this. I’m typing in “Mercedes/fabric top conditioners” but just seeing cleaners. I’m not seeing much but I may be searching the wrong keywords.
Thanks in advance. I’m planning on sealing my top in the near future, and want to do this before I do that, if possible.
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The Haartz Sonnenland fabric used for the top is a three-layer canvas. The outer layer is the colored fabric you see. The middle layer is a waterproof membrane, and the bottom layer is a stiffener. As long as that middle layer is intact, the fabric will remain waterproof. As it ages, that layer can crack, especially where it is folded around edges, and may leak. A good waterproofing chemical will help that. I like Rustoleum Neverwet for exterior canvas. It will also help dress the fabric and make it look fresher, but won't help if you have shiny spots where the canvas abrades itself when folded into the trunk.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2018
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2004 CLK55 AMG
Hi Rudeney, I figured you may have some input on this. So, in your experience, the “Neverwet” makes the canvas look like “Alwayswet”? I’m looking to get the top a little darker as I think it’ll look pretty slick. Like i said, love the way the AMG looks but want to make it look like new again.
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I don't have nay photos, but my top had some very noticeable shiny spots there it folded onto itself when opened. They were like Rorschach diagrams on the sides of the top. Neverwet did nothing for those, but it did make the rest of the top look better. When I replaced the canvas, the first thing I did was coat it with Neverwet. Even if it doesn't help it look "wet", it sure repels water! I could literally blow the water off with my breath!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Near Toronto, ON Canada
2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
I have used both 303 Protectant and Raggtop for my cabriolet. I initially did a Raggtop clean and treat. I later added some of the 303 that my good friend uses with his 911. Both work very well to repel standing water. You can indeed blow off the beads from the roof - if it has not been out long in the rain in my experience. Maybe I need to do a better install!
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Joined: Jan 2018
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2004 CLK55 AMG
Thanks for the replies y’all - still looking to see if there’s anyone that’s been crazy enough to try and do something like a linseed oil or mineral oil and then sealed it to make the fabric darken (I know it’s a bad idea, but it seems like the outer fabric is superficial so I’m wondering if there’s a way to naturally darken it without compromising the integrity of the fabric long-term)
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MB’s of all kinds.
My 2004 is a garage queen(50,000 miles) so it does not go out much but when I do use it the top is down anyways. I just had a brand new top installed like 3 years ago and the guy told me Meguiars Soft Top cleaner. He said use a microfiber brush and or a towel.
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
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2004 CLK500
I dont have any personal experience with this product, but I use CG products for pretty much everything else and have always been happy. The link below will also have video tutorials on how to use the product. Might be worth a try.
https://www.chemicalguys.com/Convert...spi_192_16.htm
https://www.chemicalguys.com/Convert...spi_192_16.htm
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Joined: May 2019
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clk 2004,200 kompressor cabrio
Hi guys....struggling in deciding which cleaner i should choose for FABRIC/CLOTH soft top onmy CLK 2004. Any suggestions (ive decided the Raggtopp - but looks like protectant is only for vinyl....and i need to fabric)
Thank you in advance!
Thank you in advance!
