The Ford Barn

Fairview · 09-02-2018, 08:14 AM

Could you help me with recommendations on what to use to wash the fabric Sport Coupe top? Mine is the fabric material and I’m not sure who supplied it, restoration was done probably 15 years ago. It is not really dirty, but could stand a careful cleaning.

Thanks, Jeff

WHN · 09-02-2018, 08:33 AM

Very nice car.

We have a 29 Sport Coupe with tan wipecord top. Looks a lot like your top.

We don’t let it get wet, and just vacuum it. Water with soap could leave water marks and also could bleed into the underside. This could stain.

Our car has not been out in the rain or left outside over night since restoration in 1981.

A new correct top is very, very, expensive.

If you have some stains or dirty areas. Try a small area with a very gentle cleaner.

old31 · 09-02-2018, 09:15 AM

You should be proud of that car. Any more pics?

Fairview · 09-02-2018, 09:34 AM

Thanks WHN and Old 31!

I’ll vacuum it then, maybe with that soft brush attachment from my wife’s house vacuum.

I appreciate the advice very much.

And Old 31, here’s a link to my SmugMug account with some more photos. I don’t have any of the engine compartment yet.

https://milepost105.smugmug.com/1929...-A-Sport-Coupe

Gene F · 09-02-2018, 10:45 AM

Soft scrub, without bleach, and a soft bristle brush A little water and a good rinse. This does not always work out on the first day you do this, so 1 x per week for say 5 or 6 weeks. Remember to rinse well. Do it under a nice big oak tree.

Jeff/Illinois · 09-02-2018, 01:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Jeff, beautiful Model A, very nice.

An old timer told me once, to clean Roadster tops and the like, to scrub it dry with a soft bristle brush with corn meal and then vacuum it.

You may try that on a small area to see if it works for you.

Tinbasher · 09-03-2018, 08:27 PM

I always cleaned them with soap and water. Use a little warm water in a bucket and then a good squirt of liquid dish soap. Take a soft brush and work up the soap into a bunch of suds. Then shake out the brush until it's almost dry. Then pick up the suds with the brush and scrub the top. Keep doing this until you've completed the top. Then take dry towels and scrub off the top. Then let it dry in the shade or inside the garage. Always worked for me. Try a corner and see what happens. Don't be surprised if there a water mark where you stop. That why you have to do all of the top.

john in illinois · 09-04-2018, 12:25 PM

here is a thread I saved for ideas.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...onvertible+top

John

briphaeton · 09-04-2018, 12:31 PM

I used a artist gum eraser to remove some hand prints and it worked well.

Jeff/Illinois · 09-04-2018, 12:50 PM

Jeff this popped up on my e-mail today (spooky how they are watching what we talk about isn't it?)

I've never tried it, don't know if it would help you or not. The suggestion of soapy water and scrubbing with a soft brush sounds best to me.....

https://www.amazon.com/303-Products-...70_&dpSrc=srch

https://www.ebay.com/p/303-Products-...3397815&chn=ps

daren007 · 09-04-2018, 04:12 PM

Do not park under trees....I sold my Sport Coupe so I didn't have to deal with it.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-04-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daren007

Do not park under trees....I sold my Sport Coupe so I didn't have to deal with it.

I agree, trees are the dirtiest thing you can park under. Not only all the junk the trees drop, but the birds in the tree branches send down some dirty gifts.

09-02-2018, 08:14 AM	#1
Fairview Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 67	Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Could you help me with recommendations on what to use to wash the fabric Sport Coupe top? Mine is the fabric material and I’m not sure who supplied it, restoration was done probably 15 years ago. It is not really dirty, but could stand a careful cleaning. Thanks, Jeff

09-02-2018, 08:33 AM	#2
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,820	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Very nice car. We have a 29 Sport Coupe with tan wipecord top. Looks a lot like your top. We don’t let it get wet, and just vacuum it. Water with soap could leave water marks and also could bleed into the underside. This could stain. Our car has not been out in the rain or left outside over night since restoration in 1981. A new correct top is very, very, expensive. If you have some stains or dirty areas. Try a small area with a very gentle cleaner.

09-02-2018, 09:15 AM	#3
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,094	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? You should be proud of that car. Any more pics?

09-02-2018, 09:34 AM	#4
Fairview Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 67	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Thanks WHN and Old 31! I’ll vacuum it then, maybe with that soft brush attachment from my wife’s house vacuum. I appreciate the advice very much. And Old 31, here’s a link to my SmugMug account with some more photos. I don’t have any of the engine compartment yet. https://milepost105.smugmug.com/1929...-A-Sport-Coupe

09-02-2018, 10:45 AM	#5
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,958	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Soft scrub, without bleach, and a soft bristle brush A little water and a good rinse. This does not always work out on the first day you do this, so 1 x per week for say 5 or 6 weeks. Remember to rinse well. Do it under a nice big oak tree.

09-02-2018, 01:21 PM	#6
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jeff, beautiful Model A, very nice. An old timer told me once, to clean Roadster tops and the like, to scrub it dry with a soft bristle brush with corn meal and then vacuum it. You may try that on a small area to see if it works for you.

09-03-2018, 08:27 PM	#7
Tinbasher Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Innisfil, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,174	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? I always cleaned them with soap and water. Use a little warm water in a bucket and then a good squirt of liquid dish soap. Take a soft brush and work up the soap into a bunch of suds. Then shake out the brush until it's almost dry. Then pick up the suds with the brush and scrub the top. Keep doing this until you've completed the top. Then take dry towels and scrub off the top. Then let it dry in the shade or inside the garage. Always worked for me. Try a corner and see what happens. Don't be surprised if there a water mark where you stop. That why you have to do all of the top.

09-04-2018, 12:25 PM	#8
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? here is a thread I saved for ideas. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...onvertible+top John

09-04-2018, 12:31 PM	#9
briphaeton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 241	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? I used a artist gum eraser to remove some hand prints and it worked well.

09-04-2018, 12:50 PM	#10
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Jeff this popped up on my e-mail today (spooky how they are watching what we talk about isn't it?) I've never tried it, don't know if it would help you or not. The suggestion of soapy water and scrubbing with a soft brush sounds best to me..... https://www.amazon.com/303-Products-...70_&dpSrc=srch https://www.ebay.com/p/303-Products-...3397815&chn=ps

09-04-2018, 04:12 PM	#11
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Recommendations for washing Sport Coupe top? Do not park under trees....I sold my Sport Coupe so I didn't have to deal with it.