The cloth? targa tops and back removable top on my 1987 XJSC is black in color but faded. How do I restore and recommended process or paint/coating or dye to use? Thanks. Rich

 

Hi Rich,

I notice no one replied, I'm a 'newish' member and sifting through this awesome forum and spotted your post. Did you ever get any answers to dealing with the faded cloth? Mine is Blue and although faded isn't too bad, I would imagine faded Black is more of a problem... a corner of one of my tops has a very small wear on a corner that I'm also not sure how to handle. Good luck anyway. Ken

 

I only had a 1986 XJ-SC for eight months, so I am not an expert. My experience with it was that virtually nothing related to the targa panels or the convertible roof is still available new. So the choices are either to find good used parts on eBay or find specialty shops that can rebuild stuff.

 

What ever you do never use Armoral on it, I did on a half vinyl top years ago and it fell apart in peaces in less than a week.

 

Yes I know about that stuff My cloth roof needs more of a 'stain' rather than a clean, it has been faded by the sun, but is not damaged and does not need replacing. It's almost like a pair of denim jeans that have faded slightly
- but then it is a 30 year old vehicle and is virtually 'mint' so I shouldn't complain.

 

If you were to stain it you might have to water seal it after, I think ?

 

yes, I guess you are right - didn't think it that far... it's such a rare model I guess there aren't that many people with this problem on the forum (5,013 models only)

 

Try detailing world for some assistance

 

You can use Leatherique dye, or Color Plus, which is the same thing. I just used Renovo, which I ordered from the U.K. They are all water based dyes. The Renovo only comes in black, so if you want a match to other colors like blue, you'll need to go with one of the former two.

 

I used Renovo on mine a few years ago.

 

How did the finish last? Does it still look good?

 

Thanks for the tip on 'Renovo', just searched and I can get the Blue (they do 4 colours plus black) - the Blue is a little darker than mine but will look pretty good I think! Here's a link for anyone interested:

Convertible Car Cleaner | Renovo Soft Top Reviver

 

Excellent! I also did the bit behind the windshield, the parts along the rain gutters, and then at the rear of the targa panels. If blue, you'll have to do everything so it matches.

 

Awesome dude!

 

It lasted really well for the 6 months before I sold it!

 

if you go on xjs-soft-tops.com and give them your vin and body number (located on the trunk gutter). they may be able to give you some info about your car. They are always after registering cabriolets and there locations throughout the world

merry christmas

eddie

 

Thanks for that info. I have an 85 xjs 3.6 manual white cabriolet that was imported from Canada and is really hard to find info on here in the U.S.

 

I used Leatherique and was really impressed.