Soft top Preservation

[Old Dude]

Hi guys
Does anyone know what is the best stuff to use on your soft top, to keep it looking good and lasting longer.

Thanks guys

Old Dude

[JBT]

Clicky for info at Waxit

[Hammer]

Depends who you talk to.

I know a few guys here in the forum have said they use 303 Aerospace Protectant, and swears it's the bomb. But Meguiars do not recommend you use anything on the softtop. They simply say to wash it with the same car wash you use for the car. Then simply chamois off excess water and let dry.

Apparently what ever you put on the roof afterwards will simply wash onto the car body the first time you drive it in the rain - which makes sense.

[toymx5]

Hey Old Dude,

The benefit with 303 is that it has no silicone in it so when your car gets wet there's no silicone to wash odd onto your paint work. I used some last week on my black softtop but wasn't really happy as it doesn't give a nice dark finish, it doesn't do anything to the appearance much at all.

If you just want something to protect your softtop it's ideal but if you want a nice shiny balck softtop like I do we'll have to keep looking !

Regards,

toymx5

[JBT]

Use boot polish if you just want to make it look shiny.

[sliq]

JBT's advice is another alternative to the pricey 303.

shoe polish.

[Old Dude]

Thanks guys

I use 303 on the inside of the car and it seems to work pretty well ant isn't greasey, but I just want ed something to help make the soft top last longer

At present I do what Hammer said and just wash it down and shammy off the water and it looks good. I just didn't want to use something that ends up stuffing the top...

Regards

Old Dude

[lukey]

I use the autoglym vinyl and rubber care. it works well and lasts if you manage to have 3 or 4 days without rain then it is fully absorbed and doesnt wash off and run all over my car.
The autoglym absorbs in fast but mind you the girl before me never seemed to use anything as it was not very good before.

I also tryed boot polish and hated the end result

[Szemen]

I use the autoglym vinyl and rubber care. it works well and lasts if you manage to have 3 or 4 days without rain then it is fully absorbed and doesnt wash off and run all over my car.
The autoglym absorbs in fast but mind you the girl before me never seemed to use anything as it was not very good before.

I also tryed boot polish and hated the end result

I'm currently using that as well. Keeps the top shiny! I respray it every month or so.

[Jace]

for plastic rear window


for roof itself


works a treat.
if only my rear window didn't have weird caked on garbage stuck to it...

[Moto]

Anotherr +1 for AutoGlym!

The result is nice and shiney! Except it can make your rear window greasing if you put the roof down just after treatment, nothing a wipe with a rag can't fix though.

[MX5CHIC]

The standard vinyl top on my NB8A was never looked after by the previous owner and as a result it had shrunk from all those years in the sun, the end result was 2 X 6" inch tears at either side of the rear window. I think a regular application of a product that has UV protection would be a very wise choice.
My new top is Canvas and without protection it soaks up water, using 303 on it makes the water bead off. I only re apply it once every 2 - 3 months.

[1blue5]

I use 303 when the hard top is off-repels water pretty good, and gives it the fresh black appearance.

[CheyneX5]

x3

[Old Dude]

Hey JBT
I had a look at that Waxit site and saw the soft top cleaner, do you recon that is just for cleaning then you go over with 303 protectant, or do you think its a protectant as well just for soft tops
Regards
Old Dude