Question about new top

[marsmann]

I got a new top installed on my car back in 2014. My car is not a daily driver and I seldom take it out in the rain. What I am wondering about, and hopefully someone here works at a dealer or can confirm, is do the new replacement tops automatically have the fabric seal/protection on it?

Or do they require to be sealed and treated once installed?

I was washing my car the other day. Normally I do not wet the top. This time, I felt it was due for a cleaning. So after wetting it I noticed water wasn't beading on it. It wasn't soaked necessarily, but I expected it to bead similar to a 303 or raggtop protectant provides.

so, is there a default protectant on tops when they are shipped to dealers? Or do new tops need a protectant applied? I'm going to go ahead and do it anyway but it made me want to know. More importantly it is good to know for others who may have their tops done in the future. This way folks know to request that of dealers as part of the replacement.

thanks!

[EM1/SS]

I have mine replaced and I treated as soon as it was put on. I did the same for my original top. The water on my new one still beads off, and it's 2 years old.

[marsmann]

Originally Posted by EM1/SS

I have mine replaced and I treated as soon as it was put on. I did the same for my original top. The water on my new one still beads off, and it's 2 years old.

So that tells me your new top didn't come treated from factory, and they require treating after install then. Interesting. I'd like to hear from others.

I guess just assumed that it would be done with the new top replacement, or when you buy the whole car new from the dealer. Kind of sucks if that is not being done as the average person may not necessarily know they need to do that.