Convertible Top Maintenance
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Convertible Top Maintenance
I will be ordering an 08 this month and I am considering a convertible, I have always owned a coup. Before I convert 
to a convertible I would like to know if anyone has any issues maintaining the top. Is it difficult to keep clean? Are there any fading issues with the black top? Is there anything else I need to know about the convertible top?
to a convertible I would like to know if anyone has any issues maintaining the top. Is it difficult to keep clean? Are there any fading issues with the black top? Is there anything else I need to know about the convertible top?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Norton Shores MI
From our experience with an 07 VR convertible we would recommend you selet the black top should you intend to actually enjoy the car on the road vs. it being a garage queen. This as our experience with an 05cashmere and 06 steel grey left us with faint dirt lines that were just impossible to totally remove.
That being said, the black top does have a few pitfalls as well. It will show fold lines just as the others and tends to develop a buff or polished look at these fold/contact areas. But heck, they are ment to be driven, so enjoy the ride.
That being said, the black top does have a few pitfalls as well. It will show fold lines just as the others and tends to develop a buff or polished look at these fold/contact areas. But heck, they are ment to be driven, so enjoy the ride.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 3
From: Hugetown Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Hussar555,
I have an 05 vert with power black top (black car). It is a daily driver and sits outside 5 days a week in our Hugetown sun. I use RaggTopp cleaner and conditioner about once every 9 months on mine, plus I wash the car at least once a week (usually twice). The top looks great and has no fading issues at all.
I have an 05 vert with power black top (black car). It is a daily driver and sits outside 5 days a week in our Hugetown sun. I use RaggTopp cleaner and conditioner about once every 9 months on mine, plus I wash the car at least once a week (usually twice). The top looks great and has no fading issues at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 827
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
all of my verts have had cashmere tops and no problems at all. it's all about the care. black gets just as dirty as tan...you just don't see it. ragg topp cleaner/treatment is all that i use. did my 07 with 2 miles on it. it was only outside for 30 hours from the time i left the factory (buyers tour) till it reached the dealer and it was dirty already
. now the water beads off.
. now the water beads off.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,845
Likes: 140
From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 1
From: Winnfield Louisiana
I definitely recommend Raggtopp. Cleaner works great, protectant makes the water bead up. I have a grey top on my 06 and it looks great. I live in Louisiana with lots of heat and humidity. It is a daily driver. Top is up all day at work and down most of the rest of the time. I wash the car at least once a week, sometimes only rinsing the cloth top. You will enjoy the vert.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Although I've read good things about the Raggtopp brand cleaner kits, I've never found it necessary to use anything besides a brush to keep my tops clean. I've always had verts and have never had any problems. I never put a top down dirty
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
Don't have to wash the Vert top
I brought my 06-C6_A6 Vert home on 1/3/07. Right away I treated the top with "high Tec 303 Fabric Protector" I could only find this stuff in a marine suppy store. 10 months later with one recoat my top still looks new and I have never had to "wash" it. When washing the car I only hose it off. Even dried bird poop rinses off. If I go to the spray car wash I only rinse the top to remove any soap from the body, never wash your top with a pressure washer. It performs so well I can blow the water beads off. The fabric does not get wet. This stuff is awsome.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
I used to use special stuff on my last vert, however, I really don't think it is necessary. I wash my car 2-3 times per month and I find that simply using water is fine. Make sure the top is totally dry before you fold it. I don't think you will find any fading with a black top (I live where it is always sunny), but you are likely to get wear marks (not holes). Also watch out for liner which for many (me twice) develops a hole on the passenger side rear seam. This will take a while to develop depending on how often you use your top. Obviously not everyone has this issue, but a lot do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
I definitely recommend Raggtopp. Cleaner works great, protectant makes the water bead up. I have a grey top on my 06 and it looks great. Top is up all day at work and down most of the rest of the time. I wash the car at least once a week, sometimes only rinsing the cloth top. You will enjoy the vert.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 185
From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
This has been my experience as well.
