Penthouse fabric stains

[86Scotty]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so mods please move it if necessary.

I just bought a 1995 SMB that has decent PH fabric, but some stains that don't want to come out. I have used warm soapy water and it is cleaning up nicely, but there are a couple of spots where rusty hardware or dead bugs have stained it pretty good. Any ideas on a safe cleaner that won't harm or bleach the PH material? I have some problems outside and some inside.

Thanks

[copescobra]

just curious, what material is used on the penthouse?

do you need to treat and waterproof like convertible tops?
if so, there is a product made by 303 that does it well.

[Ford_6L_E350]

SMB told me it is a 3M convertible top material.

Contact an upholstery shop that does convertible tops.

Mike

[86Scotty]

Thanks fellas.

[twogone]

I don't think they were using convertible top material in '95, just waterproofed canvas. Better confirm before adding any chems. Just a note, my '95 ph canvas was looking a bit dated, so I painted it black... looks like new, and I really like the color better than the faded tan.

[86Scotty]

Twogone, you are right. It's just a waterproofed canvas, which looks pretty dated even when clean. I did find the perfect stuff to clean it. Warm soapy water did wonders on the whole thing but Shout! (laundry stain remover, no bleach) did a super job on the stains. I had a few grease and dead bug spots. It took them right off on the outside and mostly off on the inside.

How did you paint your fabric Mark? Did you paint the inside too or leave it for a lighter look?

Thanks

[twogone]

I painted the inside too. Love it!. Oddly, the inside has a different final texture than the outside, I'm guessing no waterproof on the inside. I used Krylon spraypaint (can't remember the exact superlative in the product name) that claims to stick to wicker and fabric. I can tell you, it sticks to the fabric for sure, you can't scratch it off.

A note: clean the fabric well (I used paint thinner) before applying, and use flat black v. any gloss 'cause flat black has waaay more pigment in it. It took a couple of rather long and tiring days to do it all inside and out, used 16 cans... buy one of those spraycan pistolgrip thingies. You gotta be really diligent with taping off on the inside, and dealing with all the little wrinkles and junctions. Put mineral oil on your zippers and brush 'em out before trying to zip, as they get gooed up and make you cuss alot.