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    Mar 11, 2007 8:14:59 PM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005

    Soft-Top essentials

    Those of you with soft-tops, this is the stuff you need: Porsche Convertible Top Conditioner. Such a difference!!

    I applied the conditioner last weekend and in cleaning my car today the resulting soft top was covered in tiny beads of glistening water droplets.

    So much so, that after I had finished drying the bodywork and waited 30 mins the top was STILL wet. I took the car round the block to squeeze out the brakes and when I came back the roof water had simply relocated all over the back of the car.

    Dandruff? You need Head and Shoulders...

    Mar 11, 2007 8:15:41 PM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Up close:

    Mar 11, 2007 8:16:33 PM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    The magic spray:

    Mar 11, 2007 9:00:03 PM

    Circe
    Co-Pilot
    Circe
    Loc: NH, USA
    Posts: 157, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 26, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Is that the stuff the dealer sells for about 40bucks (30 Euro +/-), a can?

    Mar 11, 2007 9:02:31 PM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: Circe

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    7.86 GBP plus VAT available at any good OPC.

    Seems ok value compared to other Porsche products if you ask me

    Mar 11, 2007 9:09:50 PM

    Circe
    Co-Pilot
    Circe
    Loc: NH, USA
    Posts: 157, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 26, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Quote:
    Alex (UK) said:...Seems ok value compared to other Porsche products if you ask me



    Agreed. How often will you treat the top, 1-2X per season?

    Mar 11, 2007 9:38:55 PM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: Circe

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    That's my first time in over a year. But I think I will be doing it maybe 3 or 4 times per year in future. I'd say a single canister would last you at least a year.

    Mar 11, 2007 10:17:14 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    There's this product line called "Raggtop" which is highly acclaimed by Porschephiles with cabs.

    Here's a link for an excellent "How To" essay:

    http://autopia-carcare.com/inf-cabrio.html

    Mar 11, 2007 10:46:30 PM

    Circe
    Co-Pilot
    Circe
    Loc: NH, USA
    Posts: 157, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 26, 2005
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Quote:
    MMD said:
    There's this product line called "Raggtop" which is highly acclaimed by Porschephiles with cabs.

    Here's a link for an excellent "How To" essay:

    http://autopia-carcare.com/inf-cabrio.html



    Thanks.

    Mar 12, 2007 1:12:52 AM

    MMD
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    MMD
    Loc: usa
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    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: Circe

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    The other thing? When you brush the top to loosen dirt think like a microscope.

    Don't run the brush back and forth because that's cleaning the ridges of the fibers. Use a rotational motion as much as possible. IOW, make bristles contact fabric and then make 2-3 inch diameter circles with the brush handle. This way bristles will work circularly and loosen dirt deeper down between fibers (where it all collects anyway) and less abrasion is suffered by the uppermost fibers of the fabric.

    Just my opinion

    Mar 12, 2007 3:14:20 AM

    Orient Express
    Co-Pilot
    Orient Express
    Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts: 222, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 31, 2002
    Reply to: MMD

    One other thing

    After you have scrubbed your top, and rinsed it, there is still dirt and grime in the top material. The superior way to get every last bit of grime out is after the last rinse, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the residue water. It will also pull out the remaining grime.

    Then give the top a good coat of either the Porsche soft top protectorant, or the product Ragtopp. I prefer Ragtopp because it gives the top a nice sheen, and covers the wear marks that the top can get, especially on grey material.

    Mar 12, 2007 5:19:13 AM

    kevinm
    Junior
    kevinm
    Loc: california , United States
    Posts: 114, Gallery
    Registered on: May 2, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    I use the porsche conditioner as well-works great. I use it about two the three times a year. I also use the porsche cleaner about every third or fourth wash. Always mask off the car well you definitely do not want any of that conditioner on your paint. cheers

    Mar 12, 2007 9:24:15 AM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: kevinm

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    The cleaner is apparently just car shampoo according to the guy in Porsche Parts that I spoke with.

    I actually use a water power jet with shampoo mixer to clean the roof. It works really well. No scrubbing required.

    Although saying that, now the material is extremely hydrophobic perhaps the power-wash won't work in future. Will have to see.

    Mar 12, 2007 3:38:02 PM

    Dan L
    Expert
    Dan L
    Loc: Santa Barbara, CA , United States
    Posts: 1957, Gallery
    Registered on: Jan 2, 2006
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    You can also use a couple of cans of Scotchguard.

    Mar 12, 2007 4:52:57 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: Dan L

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Quote:
    Dan L said:
    You can also use a couple of cans of Scotchguard.



    IM_H_ O, this stuff is probably your best bet. Why? because it is quality stuff well-known in the marine and aviation business. Unlike the other stuff, it explicitly states it has UV protection. As you know, UV protection is really nice if you're parking in the sun alot. This product is also well known by Porschephiles.

    Check the website for more specialized Cab maint products:


    http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=home


    Here's website for outdoor fabrics info:

    http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_id=19

    Mar 12, 2007 5:43:36 PM

    Dan L
    Expert
    Dan L
    Loc: Santa Barbara, CA , United States
    Posts: 1957, Gallery
    Registered on: Jan 2, 2006
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Thanks! Will check it out. I washed mine yesterday and noticed it wasn't beading up finally.

    dan

    Mar 12, 2007 6:08:10 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: Dan L

    Re: Soft-Top essentials

    Quote:
    Dan L said:
    Thanks! Will check it out. I washed mine yesterday and noticed it wasn't beading up finally.

    dan



    Glad to help.

    Besides, the more "particular" (some might say "fussy") I can make other people appear, the more normal I seem to be.
     
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