Just picked up another stang today. An 88 GT vert. Looks as if it hasn't been washed in a year. There is mildew on the white top and in the paint. Any tips on products that will clean it up? Thanks!

 

I would think Wesley's Bleach White and a scrub brush would do the trick on the top, then of course a major wash, polish & wax would be needed on the body. Once the top is good & clean, apply a liberal amount of 303 Protectant to it.

 

Thought about going that route, I was just worried that a bleach based product would dry rot the top....

 

Any photos might be helpful... are you sure it's mildew? Or is it a fungus? Artillery fungus looks like it was blast with a shotgun... Google the following: artillery fungus car paint

For the top, first I'd look look for a surface cleaner at the supermarket that contains oxygen bleach (different from chlorine bleach), or check the marine/boating supply stores for products that remove mildew on vinyl. Westley's might be ok to use on the vinyl top sparingly, but you don't want to get it on your finish, and it's different than cleaning tires -- tires can take much more abuse, but again, using it sparingly on the top might be worth a try.

For the paint, I'd try polishes, an old clay bar, and then resort to a pressure washing if those didn't work.

 

Based on the smell I don't think Wesley's actually has bleach in it. I think that is just the name based on how well it works on white. I'll check the ingredients tonight.

 

Right, it does not contain bleach, and likely the reason for the play on the name: Westley's Bleche-Wite (not "bleach") -- it cleans, or "bleaches" whitewall tires. I've used it since I was a kid and we had whitewalls on the good ol' Country Squire wagon.

For those interested, its ingredients are: sodium metasilicat, isopropyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide and butoxyethanol.

It is recommended for use on tires and rubber.

Its warning label says: Avoid contact with MAGNESIUM OR ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WITH PAINTED SURFACES. Can cause permanent damage.

Now it doesn't warn against use on vinyl, but one should always be cautious using a product on a finish unless it's use is indicated on the bottle. So if you choose to try it, do so in an inconspicuous area and see how it goes -- just make sure it's used in a controlled fashion so that you won't get it on other finishes (and keep a hose handy for emergency rinsing).

But you might want to get a product specifically for addressing mildew (assuming it's mildew) on vinyl, and you might need to go to a marine supply house or online to get it.

 

Thanks guys. Used the Westley's Bleche-Wite and it came out pretty well. Still gonna take a few more scrubbings, but already looks 1,000 times better!!!!!!!