New soft top... Care input ?
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: PA
New soft top... Care input ?
New soft cloth top is on. Any precautions for the new top ? Should I use a soft pad for the window when I put it down ? Should I leave it up when stored for long periods ?
Team Owner
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Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
If the top fabric is a vinyl/plastic material, you need to apply a good polymer protectant on it regularly. Use Nu-Vinyl or a similar product made by Meguiar's (for plastics) every few weeks (monthly) after washing/drying the car.
DO NOT USE ANY PETROLEUM-BASED 'stuff' on a vinyl/plastic fabric top.
If the top fabric is made of some other kind of material (canvas, etc.), use what the manufacturer recommends to protect the material from UV ray degradation.
DO NOT USE ANY PETROLEUM-BASED 'stuff' on a vinyl/plastic fabric top.
If the top fabric is made of some other kind of material (canvas, etc.), use what the manufacturer recommends to protect the material from UV ray degradation.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Google RaggTopp. Mine is a Haartz StayFast canvas top and you will see a kit for it. Normally they are not "tight". What do you mean by that? They are not temperature sensitive like vinyl.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 22, 2011 at 07:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: PA
I mean it's hard to latch and the rear studs are maxed out on length. I still have an 1/8" gap between the rubber seal and rear deck. I was told it will stretch over time. Mine is a Robbins soft cloth top.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
I don't have that problem and do not know that product. I would have a word with the installer. I suspect he can do better than "stretch over time".
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: PA
Don't tell me that being tight is not typical when new. I'll reserve my judgment until I talk to the manufacturer tomorrow. If I paid to have a top installed and it's not right i will self implode.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
I've had my Electron top on for 1 year now. It was and still is quite tight. And yes, store it up and latched. I would think the best place for use and care is right from Robbins.
Team Owner
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From: Ontario
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: PA
i spoke to the installer and Robbins for advice. my installer did not want to overtighten my worn latches on the rear deck so that i could not get it open. Robbins wants a tight seal for about a week for the top i have to "stretch" into place. i fiddled with the rear latches and got the top to fit almost perfect. I am planning on ordering a pair of rear latches (if i can find them?) to make it perfect. the top is nice and tight like a drum and i hope it stays that beautiful over time. it really added an unexpected level of class ! ill post a pic when i get a chance to mess with it. this site does not make it easy...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: PA