Fatbob

When I bought my 2001 coupe,the original owner said the top hasn't been off the car in years. There are no squeaks, rattles or wind noise coming off it now. If I remove it,what are the odds that it continues to be quiet. Also what should I use to preserve the rubber to prevent squeaks in the future. Never had a Targa before and am impressed with how quiet it is now and don't want that to change.

nzcars33

I use mothers leather vinyl and rubber and mine has no squeaks, good luck.

ronwc

I take my top all the time depending on my mood and the weather, never had any problems with anything. I use armor-all to clean and condition rubber seal every now and then.

MightyMike

I use GM silicone. It comes in a red tube. Works great. I have been using it for years.

You need to take the top off. It would only be right.

Mastertvtech

GM actually recommends that you treat all of the weatherstripping with dielectric grease...I use it once a year and it actually stopped a slight drip I had on the pass window.

Evil-Twin

Absolutely correct...Its what I use, it can be bought at any auto [parts store.. FYI, as I've mentioned in the past.. the use of the wrong product could cost you, down the road . Things like Amoral, and even Vaseline Petroleum jelly, are supple, they have nitrates in them which will suck the life out of the natural oils in the rubber compounds. People can do what ever they want, but be careful what you use.
Bill aka ET



Any time you plug a wire into a spark plug, or plug a bulb into a socket on your car, use some of this stuff. to protect the connection from moisture.

frsr06

Just to clarify Bill, the grease does not go on the electrical connection itself, rather it goes on the exterior after connected. Dielectric grease is meant to prevent the flow of electricity but is great to keep the moisture out.

Evil-Twin

Like I said.. it goes " ON THE Connection " dip the tip of a light bulb in the grease then put it in the socket, there will never be a moisture problem at the connection, or connection contamination because of oxidation..
It goes directly on the tip of the spark plug, it keeps the connection moisture free, and also make it easy to remove the boots. Plugs should have anti seize on the threads. People can do what ever they want, I don't care... I offer my input and you can take it or leave it, I've been doing this stuff for 55 years... We use to use While lithium grease ( Lubriplate ) to effect the same results.
Bill aka ET

frsr06

Di-electric grease is an electrical insulating compound. Applying to surfaces prior to joining connections such as battery cables increases the resistance rather than providing a more conductive joint. While I use Di-grease - its not as a lubricant between electrical conductors.

Vetteman Jack

I use natural silicone lubricant on my weatherstripping and it keeps them in great shape. As mentioned earlier, dielectric grease works well too.

frsr06

:agree:

Works great on weatherstripping...

rx4arx

Dielectric for my vote. You'll need to wipe it clean a couple of times but works pretty well.

When you replace the targa top, check carefully that the various joins from the targa side weatherstrip are correctly into the slots. Especially at the halo bar. In my experience, previous owners were not careful doing that and I believe it will lead to the weatherstrip on the halo bar eventually deforming and or ripping. just replaced that weatherstrip last week. Now water tight and silent again.

001pewter

my interior trim on the passenger side is deformed from the top being sat on top of the hole instead of in it. Not sure if it was me or previous owner. I know I did it myself once.

Fatbob

70 degrees in North Dakota I had to take it off and go for a drive. Nice in town but we had a pretty good wind so it wasn't the best on the highway. Went back on without issue and was still quiet.