How do I clean and care for my soft top? - Top Talk Episode 15

Wondering how to properly clean and care for your soft top? Soft top care is critical to make sure your top looks great, operates well and lasts as long as possible. Join Rick for this how-to video on cleaning and caring for your soft top using Bestop's soft top cleaner, protectant, vinyl window cleaner, and zipper lubricant.
1:35 Rinse off all dirt, mud or dust
2:37 Apply Bestop Soft Top Cleaner
5:00 Apply Bestop (vinyl or twill) Soft Top Protectant
7:20 Apply Bestop Vinyl Window Cleaner
9:10 Apply Bestop Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant

[@4runnergt4]

Amazing video Bestop !!! So glad to hear that I was doing it properly every 3-5 weeks. I always recommend to other Jeep owners once per month at minimum!

[@pavo9321]

man this looks amazing!! i will definitely need to buy that kit thanks for the video 💪

[@thepigcowtopusproject]

Great timing! Mine is not dirty yet, but I want to make sure I am prepared! It is almost wash day. I am trying to do once a month at least.

[@BestopTeam]

I am glad this was helpful for you!

[@stephanielowe3539]

Should you use the same window cleaner product on the INSIDE of the windows?

[@BestopTeam]

Hi, Stephanie! Yes, you can use this on the inside as well. Thanks for watching!

[@Efrainr_147]

hey, what’s up brother sorry for the bother, but I got a quick question I have a best top soft top twill version and I don’t know how to clean it safely, I’ve been researching for about three years now and I cannot find a reliable source of how to clean it not even desktop has anything on their website for cleaner. can you please help me how to clean my twill top?

[@daydayokay]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[@nicholasloomis467]

After using the vinyl cleaner and rinsing the cleaner off it looks like you are washing the whole vehicle and the top(&windows) with car washing soap. Is it ok to use car wash soap on the top or should you stick to just the painted body?

[@paulelliott682]

AND NOW BESTOP MAKES SOFT TOPS & BIMINIS FOR 2021+ FORD BRONCOS :)

[@derrickbell2338]

04 tj unlimited factory soft top vinyl or twill protector???

[@isachar2013]

No twill made for LJ ...

[@cl0wnbird]

so you could use a dishwashing thingy for an applicator for the cleaner... just fill it up with the cleaner instead of dishwashing soap. :-)

[@Venom-kq5xz]

I bought that combo and for some odd reason I didn’t notice it was for the vinyl top. I used the protection once but ya I’m ordering the twill one ASAP. Need to try out the glass cleaner even though the glass has looked fine.

[@BestopTeam]

Probably not a big deal, but glad to hear you are ordering the twill protectant instead.

[@liven4happynus115]

@@BestopTeam how do you tell if it's twill or vinyl?

[@OceanDriveSpeeder]

@@liven4happynus115 Twill is a cloth/canvas top much like on high-dollar Porsche, Benz or similar Euro-car. Vinyl is like Plastic. Jeep calls the Twill their Premium Top if you are ordering a new Jeep. The Twill lasts longer and has a expensive look to it. Both are still Bestops.

[@liven4happynus115]

@@OceanDriveSpeeder thank you

[@sterlingjoseph4410]

I was told I could also use the vinyl cleaner and protectant on my plastics (fenders and bumper guards and what not) is this true?

[@positronikiss]

Damn...I have a fabric soft top and bought this unknowing it was for vinyl soft tops : //// ... will it damage my fabric top? Can i use it?

[@JermaineSmith-jm5lo]

I like that

[@davidred1809]

So you can still use the cleaner on twill fabric even though it says vinyl use only on the bottle?

[@isachar2013]

Why there's no twill fabric for tj unlimited?????????? Why?? . I just order today a black diamond sailcloth. Very disappointing that LJ owners can't have twill tops

[@rayzdavolume]

Can you use the Bestop Twill Clean for the Sailcloth Top? if NOT, what can I use for cleaning?

[@BestopTeam]

No, you can use either our regular vinyl Cleaner or Dawn Dish soap mixed with warm water. Always be sure to rinse the windows off with a hose first, to loosen and remove any dirt and debris before washing and always use a microfiber cloth!

[@bobbyg7552]

I bought the twill top and got a bottle of the Twill protector. Am I supposed to clean the top with anything special (if so what), before I apply the protectant?

[@BestopTeam]

We do make a cleaner like this video shows, but you can use regular car washing soap. Just make sure to avoid getting the twill fabric protectant on the windows. Thanks!

[@heatherdippel7138]

@@BestopTeam the cleaner states it’s ideal for Vinyl soft tops. Nothing states that it’s safe for twill. Is there another cleaner that you are talking about?

[@Brofessor17]

@@BestopTeam I calles Bestop for my new twill premium tan soft top, was told to use dawn regular dish soap to lightly clean.

[@Brofessor17]

Was also told the bestop cleaner is only for vinyl top, not the twill soft tops.

[@BestopTeam]

@@Brofessor17 That is OK to use if you would like, but I'd say using a soap meant for washing cars would be a better idea.

[@themaddscot]

For the Sunrider (hardtop) do you recommend that after cleaning and while it is still wet to loosen the Sunrider (unlatch) but not fold back, to allow to dry. I have heard this helps maintain a good tight fit when dry and closed /latched. This is for the twill version...

[@BestopTeam]

Hey, Bob! Well, that is not something I have heard before. Where did you hear that from? I imagine the idea would be to prevent stretching of the fabric?

[@themaddscot]

@@BestopTeam yes, I believe so. Heard it on the JL Wrangler forum. Lots of talk (I sent in photos of mine to Bestop) regarding the Sunrider rippling/drooping and fit on the JLs. It was on a "taking care of your soft top" washing suggestion. Wondered myself because when dew or wet, it sags, when hot it is tighter. PS - come out with the Trektop Pro and retractable sunshade for the 4Dr JL!

[@kingsoulsurfer41]

Where do you purchase the best top cleaner at

[@BestopTeam]

You can purchase the Bestop cleaner off of www.bestop.com.

[@frasersmith4935]

Hi, is there any sort of car wash I should avoid? I usually use a generic car wash and wax on the car. Would that be alright for the top? Thanks

[@BestopTeam]

I would say that it is always better to wash your Wrangler by hand, but our tops can go through whatever type of car wash you would like. I'd recommend using our Cleaner and protectant kit available here: www.bestop.com/products/bestop-cleaner-protectant-pack/

[@frasersmith4935]

@@BestopTeam Hi! Thanks for the reply. Yes sorry I meant clean it by hand. In the video you use a generic car wash to wash the rest of the Jeep, and that's safe to use on the Soft Top too? Thanks!

[@Alexander18194]

Can you use a pressure washer?

[@BestopTeam]

Yes, but don't get too close with it. Too much water pressure could damage the top.

[@samanthamyers8586]

Can you use on a tan soft top?

[@BestopTeam]

Yes you can!

[@jamesdean9890]

How do you know if you own a twill or vinyl top?

[@stumeat77]

The vinyl has a white inner and the twill is black. Also, the twill is very much like a fabric.

[@OceanDriveSpeeder]

Twill is a cloth/canvas top much like on high-dollar Porsche, Benz or similar Euro-car. Vinyl is like Plastic. Jeep calls the Twill their Premium Top if you are ordering a new Jeep. The Twill lasts longer and has a expensive look to it. Both are still Bestops.

[@nordland2235]

I cannot even see thru my back window.

[@Fate001]

Lmao same