Hi forum members,
I am looking for some info and help. I purchased an 07 machine silver vert with a black top in January. The car only had 4700 miles on it when I got it so the top is in like new condition. What is the best way to leave the top when I am not driving it, up or down? Would appreciate any advice and roof care. Thanks

 

Up...down just makes more wrinkles...and never put it down after washing until it is thoroughly dry. Up also keeps the interior less dusty and protects it a bit more from UV damage and critters. I have a local cat who likes to jump in when the top is down. He is very lucky I haven't caught him yet!

 

100% on all three counts....only difference is I had a yellow Labrador that jumped into mine when the top was down....how could I get mad at him....

Scott, the "bugman" has lots of good info including top maintenace, with pics at his site here. http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
Click on the RaggTopp link on the left.

 

up for sure

i only use filtered water (mr clean auto dry on the auto dry setting) to rinse the dust out of mine ever other wash or so and then as needed maybe every 5 washes or every time you plan to wax use a top cleaner

 

Unless it's wet, you're okay leaving it down overnight but I wouldn't do it more than one night at a time. Depending on where you live, the heat and humidity can grow mildew pretty rapidly on the cloth tops. I'd recommend cleaning and treating with Raggtop products, at least 2x a year. Good luck and have fun.

 

Definitely invest twenty bucks or so in a RaggTopp cleaner & protectant kit.

 

+1 on raggtop from autogeek.net

It comes as a top cleaner and top protectant package

 

Leave it up for sure. I too am a perfectionist (damn!) and I actually vacuum the top with a soft upholstery brush. Using water will set in the dust and dirt.

 

+ one more for Ragg Top cleaner & protectant. I don't do mine all that often. I figure if you clean it well and treat it real good, then it should last a couple of years if you park in a garage and your car is not a daily driver. It it is a DD, then you might need to treat it once a year in my opinion.

 

i talked to the people at RaggTop last year and he said that most people "overkill" their product. light dusting is what will work the best. it is not necessary to totally saturate the material. he said "most people use too much product as the protection is achieved by the produce attaching to the material. after that you are just putting material on top of material, not "adding" protection". a GQ only needs it every two+ years. if the car sits outside and/or is DD they said that one time a year is enough.

as for the top up or down. overnight is o.k.. the guys on the assembly line told me to always cycle the top and park the car with the top up in the garage. this was a hard habit for me since i don't drive my car with the top up - ever. my C5's had their tops perminately down. FWIW

 

Hey Guys...thanks for the help and advice. my car is mostly a garage queen, when I am not driving her she is in the garage and under a car cover. During the winter months when she was in storage I left the top up, but now with better weather coming and hopefully getting her out every few days for a drive, wasn't sure if I should be the roof up every night or not. Seems like it is probably best to put the roof up after a drive.

 

Leaving down for long durations (multi-days) is not good.

 

A burlap bag and a river will take care of the cat problem....

 

Actually, I was thinking a Wrist Rocket and a nice heavy ball bearing!