Can I use an upholstery protector on my soft top?
You can do, it wouldn't do any harm, and we have seen upholstery protectors sold as for use on a soft top.
However, we advise against it. They are not quite the same thing. Some of them are water based and just stain protectors, they will offer little protection unless you are prone to spilling red wine on your hood. Others are spirit based and hydrophobic, but they are not formulated for outdoor use* and don't contain the mould inhibitors that keep the green at bay.
The prices of a good quality upholstery protector and proper soft top protector are comparable, so there is no money to be saved. You might even find that soft top protector is cheaper when you consider that you need to be generous and really soak it in. And it is not cost effective if it doesn't last nearly as long.
Conversely, it's probably not a good idea to coat your upholstery with a soft-top protector as the chemicals they put in it to prevent the growth of moss, algae and lichen, while not famously toxic, may not be good for sensitive skin. You should always read the label, follow manufacturer's advice and use the right tool for the job.
*We have had our own hydrophobic coatings made for us, going back twenty years to a time when we dabbled in coatings for boats and aircraft. So we have a little understanding of how they are formulated. Like many things in life, a trade-off has to be made, as you can't have your cake and eat it. There is a balance struck between thin (so it soaks in and gives a nice finish), super slippery, mould inhibiting and durable.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 30/08/2022 15:22