Care of the soft top

Jlangmd · 11-18-2007, 10:07 AM

I have not owned a fabric topped convertible previously, and have a TT Cab on order. My current vehicle has a retractible hardtop, and the care of that is obvious. How do people clean the fabric roof? Does it need care in terms of waterproofing or other protectant?

Thanks.

marky522 · 11-18-2007, 12:15 PM

Once a year have it resprayed/waterproofed.

Mark

gota911 · 11-18-2007, 12:59 PM

Ragg Topp protectant is very highly rated.

Convertible Top Products

limey940 · 11-19-2007, 11:36 AM

Dont do what i did and use a sponge mitt to clean it. The top looked like it had very very bad dandruff.
Most of it blew off when i drove and the top dried of, he rest came of by me using tape, was a huge PIA, lesson learned.

cheers

wross996tt · 11-19-2007, 11:57 AM

Use a Shmitt (black one) for the top...leaves no "leftovers"...RaggTopp is the bomb (although it is kind of a PIA to spray the sealer on...you need to tape the windows and body.)

Edgy01 · 11-19-2007, 02:55 PM

Avoid washing the top in the usual manner. It actually will stay relatively clean without handling. But once or twice a year use a special raggtop cleaner and treat it. More if you are in an area where it weathers faster. The ultimate test is water beading on that top and when accidents occur (like the bird variety) that stuff comes off without a mess behind. ALWAYS stay ahead of it. More treatment is better than skipping one.

cable · 11-20-2007, 12:55 AM

Formula 303 is also a good alternative to Raggtop and can be found at marine stores. The 32 oz. container will do about 3 tops for $25.

500 · 11-20-2007, 02:10 AM

Keep soap off the top when washing the car as it will dry out the top and remove the protective coating. A good strong spray of water when washing the car is normally all that's needed...a good brushing (in the direction of the fiber) is also ok. Apply a new layer of protective coating as mentioned above.

Deanski · 11-21-2007, 12:38 AM

Raggtopp products and light washing with mild brushes, no synthetic brushes.

http://www.raggtopp.ca/raggtopp.html

Read this as well from another Porsche owner who runs Autopia.

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detai...-top-care.html

Deanski

Le Chef · 11-21-2007, 09:48 AM

According to the dealer the latest edict from Porsche is "Do Nothing". Apparently all the treatments do is make the top lose it's flexibility and crack.

You tell me....

Deanski · 11-22-2007, 12:15 AM

Doing nothing is not the correct way to care for a fabric top.

Read the thread I listed from Autopia. Dave is also a Porsche "Cab" owner as well.

Simple washing will always be the best way to keep it clean and free of dirt. But now and then, it does need to be treated once the water does not bead off.

Deanski

Edgy01 · 11-22-2007, 01:47 AM

One more thing,--no automatic car washes for that car! The brushes will destroy the top in no time. Once is too much.

Deanski · 11-22-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edgy01

One more thing,--no automatic car washes for that car! The brushes will destroy the top in no time. Once is too much.

How very true! No mater if they are "soft touch" or "no touch" doesn't matter. The soap used can also wreak havoc on the top and it's treatment.

Just wash it, mild soap, no synthetic brushes. You don't want to grind the dirt into the top, you want to float it off.

Deanski

mdrums · 11-22-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500

Keep soap off the top when washing the car as it will dry out the top and remove the protective coating. A good strong spray of water when washing the car is normally all that's needed...a good brushing (in the direction of the fiber) is also ok. Apply a new layer of protective coating as mentioned above.

Yes keep the soap off of it. Although I get soap on the rear part of my top around the rear window and so far no ill effects and the water still beads up.

JMAGOLAN · 11-23-2007, 05:19 PM

Since nobody has addressed this part of the care process, let me add my 2 cents. Dry with a microfiber cloth (I use a BueMax that is only used on the top). This prevents the "dandruff" and lint from cotton towels.

Jerry

11-18-2007, 10:07 AM	#1
Jlangmd Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 373	Care of the soft top I have not owned a fabric topped convertible previously, and have a TT Cab on order. My current vehicle has a retractible hardtop, and the care of that is obvious. How do people clean the fabric roof? Does it need care in terms of waterproofing or other protectant? Thanks.

11-18-2007, 12:59 PM	#3
gota911 Newbies Hospitality Director Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Currently in Dallas, going to...??? Posts: 12,799	Ragg Topp protectant is very highly rated. Convertible Top Products __________________ Tim K. Still Lurking About! I used to own a 996. Really...... I DID!! SIG by Programmatore

11-19-2007, 11:57 AM	#5
wross996tt Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boulder & Santa Monica Posts: 3,519	Use a Shmitt (black one) for the top...leaves no "leftovers"...RaggTopp is the bomb (although it is kind of a PIA to spray the sealer on...you need to tape the windows and body.) __________________ Statman 04 996TT Cab (pics) Go Buffs! Fight On!

11-19-2007, 02:55 PM	#6
Edgy01 Poseur Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 9,275	Avoid washing the top in the usual manner. It actually will stay relatively clean without handling. But once or twice a year use a special raggtop cleaner and treat it. More if you are in an area where it weathers faster. The ultimate test is water beading on that top and when accidents occur (like the bird variety) that stuff comes off without a mess behind. ALWAYS stay ahead of it. More treatment is better than skipping one. __________________ Dan 06 997S PCCB Hard-Top Cabrio Turq. Blue, Nat. Brn Leather http://www.rennteam.com/photopost/sh...00&ppuser=8756

11-21-2007, 12:38 AM	#9
Deanski Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norwalk,CT Posts: 1,786	Raggtopp products and light washing with mild brushes, no synthetic brushes. http://www.raggtopp.ca/raggtopp.html Read this as well from another Porsche owner who runs Autopia. http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detai...-top-care.html Deanski __________________ DR SHINE PorscheLess 4 now Swanky Shine (tm)

11-18-2007, 12:15 PM	#2
marky522 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cary, nc Posts: 1,847	Once a year have it resprayed/waterproofed. Mark

11-19-2007, 11:36 AM	#4
limey940 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 457	Dont do what i did and use a sponge mitt to clean it. The top looked like it had very very bad dandruff. Most of it blew off when i drove and the top dried of, he rest came of by me using tape, was a huge PIA, lesson learned. cheers

11-20-2007, 12:55 AM	#7
cable User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 28	Formula 303 is also a good alternative to Raggtop and can be found at marine stores. The 32 oz. container will do about 3 tops for $25.

11-20-2007, 02:10 AM	#8
500 User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,646	Keep soap off the top when washing the car as it will dry out the top and remove the protective coating. A good strong spray of water when washing the car is normally all that's needed...a good brushing (in the direction of the fiber) is also ok. Apply a new layer of protective coating as mentioned above.

11-21-2007, 09:48 AM	#10
Le Chef Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,502	According to the dealer the latest edict from Porsche is "Do Nothing". Apparently all the treatments do is make the top lose it's flexibility and crack. You tell me.... __________________ 997S Cab Seal Gray

11-22-2007, 12:15 AM	#11
Deanski Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norwalk,CT Posts: 1,786	Doing nothing is not the correct way to care for a fabric top. Read the thread I listed from Autopia. Dave is also a Porsche "Cab" owner as well. Simple washing will always be the best way to keep it clean and free of dirt. But now and then, it does need to be treated once the water does not bead off. Deanski __________________ DR SHINE PorscheLess 4 now Swanky Shine (tm)

11-22-2007, 01:47 AM	#12
Edgy01 Poseur Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 9,275	One more thing,--no automatic car washes for that car! The brushes will destroy the top in no time. Once is too much. __________________ Dan 06 997S PCCB Hard-Top Cabrio Turq. Blue, Nat. Brn Leather http://www.rennteam.com/photopost/sh...00&ppuser=8756

11-23-2007, 05:19 PM	#15
JMAGOLAN Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 264	Since nobody has addressed this part of the care process, let me add my 2 cents. Dry with a microfiber cloth (I use a BueMax that is only used on the top). This prevents the "dandruff" and lint from cotton towels. Jerry