The Ford Barn

Dan/Kzo · 05-29-2012, 09:31 AM

A club member asked me where to locate top dressing. I'm finding that it was disconinued a couple years ago. Does anyone know of a supplier for it, and if not is there a recommended substitute? TIA. Dan Cargo

Jim/GA · 05-29-2012, 10:20 AM

Which one were you looking for?

I got a bottle of black vinyl top reconditioner for my Town Sedan from Griot's Garage (on recommendation of someone on FB) and it worked very well. Kind of pricey, but I don't expect to have to repeat too often. Two light coats and the 15 year old top really looked new again.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

HTH.

FL&WVMIKE · 05-29-2012, 10:22 AM

Dan/Kzo .................................
Being from Michigan, you are probably familar with Black Stove Polish. You can't beat that stuff for tire dressing. I never tried in on a top, but I figure it would work well.
The rear tires on this car used to be white walls, before a treatment of Black Stove Polish.
MIKE
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE - Twice

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-29-2012, 02:20 PM

Mike,
I'm envious!! How many blocks will "THE BUG" lay rubber. (COUGH, COUGH!) Bill W.

FL&WVMIKE · 05-29-2012, 02:52 PM

BILL WILLIAMSON ...........................
So, you are familiar with the "BUG". This replica is not mine, but I did help in building it for about six months.
It is not as fast as the original, as we only used one carburetor and ran on gasoline, instead of alcohol. It does run and sound really well, though.
Dick Kraft, from California, who built the original, ran 121 mph, in the 1/4 mile, in the 1940s. It was the first, purpose built, drag car and the reason for many safety rules.
MIKE

Chris in WNC · 05-30-2012, 07:52 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I used satin black Rustoleum once, it looked great.
did not completely stop the leaks, but neither did the top dressing........

JD Miller · 05-30-2012, 09:09 AM

In addition to Griot's Garage, Mac's lists a top dressing.

Griot's is formulated to not only restore the color to the top but also protect and "feed" the material.

If your top is toast, then no mount of any quality top dressing will restore a top that needs replaced. Paint of any type or stove black is a band-aide fix that does nothing to extend the life of a top.

FL&WVMIKE · 05-30-2012, 11:23 AM

Dan/Kzo .......................
If you are trying to stop leaks, etc., I don't think that any kind of dressing will help. You would have to go to some kind of home roof repair cement, which would change the looks of your top.
I'm sure that there are several types of dressings, that would be good for your current top. Just ask your Auto Parts store employee, what he has.
MIKE

Dan/Kzo · 05-30-2012, 11:53 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. I will pass this information on.

Hicktick · 05-30-2012, 12:43 PM

Back in the day I used Aero wax came in a big round can for kitchen floors .

Made tops look good and was cheap. Doubt if they sell it anymore ??

supergnat · 05-31-2012, 07:07 AM

My leatherback is a driver so I bought a tube of water based (because is is paintable) black caulk and carefully rubbed it into the entire top filling all the surface cracks. I put a little extra where there were small cuts through the surface. Once thoroughly dry, I painted it with Sherwin Williams black oil based enamel paint. It turned out pretty good. Hope this helps.
Supergnat

05-29-2012, 09:31 AM	#1
Dan/Kzo Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 80	Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? A club member asked me where to locate top dressing. I'm finding that it was disconinued a couple years ago. Does anyone know of a supplier for it, and if not is there a recommended substitute? TIA. Dan Cargo

05-29-2012, 10:20 AM	#2
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,815	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Which one were you looking for? I got a bottle of black vinyl top reconditioner for my Town Sedan from Griot's Garage (on recommendation of someone on FB) and it worked very well. Kind of pricey, but I don't expect to have to repeat too often. Two light coats and the 15 year old top really looked new again. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks HTH. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-29-2012, 02:20 PM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Mike, I'm envious!! How many blocks will "THE BUG" lay rubber. (COUGH, COUGH!) Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

05-29-2012, 02:52 PM	#5
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? BILL WILLIAMSON ........................... So, you are familiar with the "BUG". This replica is not mine, but I did help in building it for about six months. It is not as fast as the original, as we only used one carburetor and ran on gasoline, instead of alcohol. It does run and sound really well, though. Dick Kraft, from California, who built the original, ran 121 mph, in the 1/4 mile, in the 1940s. It was the first, purpose built, drag car and the reason for many safety rules. MIKE

05-30-2012, 07:52 AM	#6
Chris in WNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spruce Pine, NC Posts: 1,458	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I used satin black Rustoleum once, it looked great. did not completely stop the leaks, but neither did the top dressing........ __________________ our next Model A is out there in the unknown......

05-30-2012, 09:09 AM	#7
JD Miller Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 139	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? In addition to Griot's Garage, Mac's lists a top dressing. Griot's is formulated to not only restore the color to the top but also protect and "feed" the material. If your top is toast, then no mount of any quality top dressing will restore a top that needs replaced. Paint of any type or stove black is a band-aide fix that does nothing to extend the life of a top.

05-30-2012, 11:23 AM	#8
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Dan/Kzo ....................... If you are trying to stop leaks, etc., I don't think that any kind of dressing will help. You would have to go to some kind of home roof repair cement, which would change the looks of your top. I'm sure that there are several types of dressings, that would be good for your current top. Just ask your Auto Parts store employee, what he has. MIKE

05-30-2012, 11:53 AM	#9
Dan/Kzo Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 80	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Thanks everyone for the input. I will pass this information on.

05-30-2012, 12:43 PM	#10
Hicktick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hickory Tavern , SC Posts: 422	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? Back in the day I used Aero wax came in a big round can for kitchen floors . Made tops look good and was cheap. Doubt if they sell it anymore ??

05-31-2012, 07:07 AM	#11
supergnat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Palmyra, NJ Posts: 475	Re: Top dressing discontinued. Recommendations? My leatherback is a driver so I bought a tube of water based (because is is paintable) black caulk and carefully rubbed it into the entire top filling all the surface cracks. I put a little extra where there were small cuts through the surface. Once thoroughly dry, I painted it with Sherwin Williams black oil based enamel paint. It turned out pretty good. Hope this helps. Supergnat