Top color considerations

[Nicketts]

Hey folks. Trying some image posting, here's hoping. Will need a new top sometime soon. Will also have to clean up and paint the frame, likely. Like my '82 stock all the way, but I came across a color from one of the top suppliers in canvas. I know it's tougher to clean but my summer car is garage stored and almost never driven with top up. Of course, the tan is stock, and pardon the amateur photoshopping. The green is very dark, maybe more black than the photo shows. That said, opinions welcome. Thanx.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Great question. My opinion (worth what you paid for it of course): The original tan top doesn't quite look right against the car body color. But, I'm kinda mixed on the greenish top. A deeper green could look really cool, but if it's too "bright" (think Kelly Green), it might look weird.

That being said, all my tops have been black Haartz Stayfast or the equivalent. So have you considered black?

-Bryan

[TX82FIAT]

+1 on a black top. Classic.

[RRoller123]

Yep, Black

[aj81spider]

I'll be odd man out. I like the tan better. I think the black or dark green doesn't offset the car color as nicely.

That opinion and a couple of bucks will get you a coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm still mixed on this, but I will say my preference for black tops is simply due to the fact that all my spiders have completely black interiors. Since the interior of the OP's car is tan, it gets more complicated as a black top with a tan interior might not look right (although it is fairly common).

My best advice: Pick what you like.

-Bryan

[dinghyguy]

tan,
less clash with the interior
less clash with the exterior
more Dior than Dockers

cheers
Dinghyguy with one Dior and one Dockers on my fiats

[F16Waldo]

+1 on tan top given interior is tan.

[TheBender]

I like the tan top myself. But I don’t hate the green either. I am a big fan of the cloth top though and it’s not that hard to clean. Sounds like you are like me and the top is up when stored/parked. So the question is...... What color will the boot cover be?

[RRoller123]

How does one clean the cloth tops? I have a vinyl one on my Spider, and soap and water, then Armor All, have kept it near perfect for 10 years now. But I have a cloth top on the Jaguar, and it has some spots that need attention. How do you clean cloth tops safely?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

How do you clean cloth tops safely?

I think the answer depends on what the "dirt" is. In other words, tree sap requires a different solution than bird poop. Do you know what is dirtying your top?

-Bryan

[RRoller123]

Some of it looks like hand dirt smudged in, and then there are few gray spots that look like dirt, that are sitting on top, not ground in.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'd start with a toothbrush and mild soap and water. I'm not sure if a strong soap could discolor your top, but I'd not want to find out after scrubbing on it for a while...

-Bryan

[RRoller123]

I know, there is risk, and this bloody top isn't a 500 buck installed vinyl FIAT top like I had done 10 years ago! hahahah, More like 3 grand I would guess. Gotta be verrrrrry careful. Woolite with warm water is probably a good start.