1932 ford soft top insert dressing

[IndianapolisRacer]

My original 1932 Ford 5 window coupe has its original soft top which is showing a weathered appearance what is the best dressing to use on the soft top to best preserve it ?

[Royal Ryser]

I don't want to side track this thread, but I am also interested in knowing a good sealer for the soft top.

[grumppyoldman]

I don't know of anything in today's market, but my dad melted parifene wax and painted it on our old 36 chevy. I guess it worked , it never leaked.

[petehoovie]

I'm considering using this stuff on my '34. I'll have to do some experimenting first though....

[JimG]

My family had a paint factory in Buffalo NY from the 1920's to the 1970's. One of the early products we made was Rub-R-Tite, a sealer for soft tops for cars. We had a bunch of old brochures and advertising information for it when we closed the business in 1974 and I stupidly sold them all for scrap paper. I still remember the advertising: "It's something new, It's something different, It's something you need! It's the all new Rub-R-Tite." I wish I had some of the literature now. Anyway, just for the heck of it, I googled the name today. Up came a Spanish speaking e-bay site where someone was selling two of the original cans of the stuff - still full!

Here's the URL:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antq-1920s-N...2480781?_ul=CL

I doubt we sold this product outside of Western NY in the 1920's and 1930's, and I'm amazed that some of it is still around today. Not sure what it was made of - my grandfather would have known - but he passed away in 1974. Sounds like Flex Seal might be a possible substitute.

[1931 flamingo]

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Try Griott's (spelling), I think they have something for tops.

Paul in CT

[rotorwrench]

Some of the stuff they used to use was like edge dressing for shoes. I used a lot of that stuff in the military keeping the boots looking spiffy. It tends to build up and look funky over time. I had to use alcohol to clean them now and then. Shinola shoe polish would likely have been a better choice than some of those dressings they had back in the day.

A lot of boat owners use 303 Aerospace protectant for vinyl products that spend a lot of time in the sun. Some folks say it works pretty well but I've never tried it.

[grumppyoldman]

Flex Seal is good stuff, but I think it might ball-up trying to brush it out smooth. I use it on my travel trailer and I can't get it smooth, seems to dry too fast. Try it on something else first. Al

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

Flex Seal is good stuff, but I think it might ball-up trying to brush it out smooth. I use it on my travel trailer and I can't get it smooth, seems to dry too fast. Try it on something else first. Al

I'm wondering if the out of the can Flex Seal can be thinned???

[HOTRODPRIMER]

My Deuce sedan is still sporting the original top and the original vulcanized running board although they are showing their age the top looks surprisingly good,

I have been using a product called Flynn's on both the top and the boards and it enhances the look and keeps the material supple,best thing I have found to date. HRP

[HOTRODPRIMER]

This is how they use to do it. HRP



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[barnfind08]

I have DuPont soft top dressing in Vintage cans. $10.00 plus $7.00 postage. Still real nice and I have used it.

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Flex seal is more of a rubberized coating. I would worry that it may change the appearance of the top, then in the long term, or short, it may peel off in sheets. I would definitely want to do some thorough testing. Or hear from someone who has actually tried it.