Do we condition the top?
 

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if I should be using some kind of product to condition the top to keep it looking and feeling like new? :iono:

I don't put anything on my top and only rinse it with water, but my car is garaged at work and at home so it doesn't see much adverse weather/sun as if it sat outside.

I haven't done it yet but from what I've seen people use ragtop or sunbrella to keep the top from fading and maintain the waterproofing

I use 303 protectant once a year. Mine is a DD in the summer but does go in the garage every night and all winter.

+ 1 on the 303 protectant, the stuff is amazing. Bit expensive but really worth it. I "wowed" the neighbors showing them how the water just beads off the top.

Manual states to wash it now and again, which I did before applying the 303. Didn't really touch it other than blowing off debris until I got stuck in rain on the hwy for 100 miles. So I gave it good washing (the 303 was still there but nothing lasts forever). Anyways, I reapplied and all is well in the world.

For all you out there with dark color Camaros, there is some stuff out there called "Hot Sause" that actually works as stated. I had so many hard water spots I almost traded in the car, ha. The stuff is awesome.

i have a new 13 2 LT black vert. i bought Raggtop cleaner and protectant. the manufacturer, Haartz, has endorsed this product and their name is even on the can. both cost about $50 for the pair . the top is supposed to bead when water on it. so, make sure it does that and if not, apply the clearner and protectant.

I SECOND & THIRD the 303 product. I at first tryed the Ragtop products but thought they did a terrible job. So in my research I went with 303. The cost is a little more but so what, I own a Camaro and it will get the best. Michael in South Boston, Virginia

rangomr. what was it about raggtop that didnt work? i am surprised as Haartz recommends raggtop and they made the top. i even called haartz directly and spoke to a guy there. i figured since they made it that they would know what works best.

In my over 25 years of owning 4 convertibles, I have never once put anything on the top except water to clean it off. If however this is a daily driver, it wouldn't hurt to put something on it. My cars are only driven in nice weather, never see rain, snow, or any type of weather but sun.

303 is the best product out there ! My vert lives outside for almost two years and my top is like brand new ! Snow , rain , sun , pollution ( NYC) does not affect it !
One 32oz spray bottle is enough to apply twice a year and it costs less then $20 bucks !
Highly recommended !

Okay, can't resist 95birdible........ only drive in nice weather: no rain, snow, only sun........in MINNESOTA?

If I am doing the math right 25yrs/4 verts, =6.25 yrs each on average, and the above nice weather scenario, so each car was driven about a month each on average.........:bellyroll:

Maybe they are the ones making the Ragtop.....ha. If it works for you good, that is all that counts, but I am a believer in 303.............:thumb:

Do you guys use just the protectant or the cleaner as well?

Trying to figure out which to buy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/303-Fabric-Convertible-Top-Kit-Cleaner-Protectant-FREE-Shipping-030520-/221278655176?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item33853c52c8&vxp=mtr

Well, I just bought the 303 fabric protectant "water repellent", which was $16.95 at a boat shop near Seattle. Cleaning the top with a bit of soap, water and elbow grease should suffice.

Just did a search and here is the stuff I used. I didn't buy it via this venue, just showing you the product label.

Good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-3...3+fabric+guard

RAGGTOPP is what I use, beads water and has UV protection

Autogeek.net has 32oz 303 for $19.99 . Enough for two applications !

I used 303 on my old top and will use it again on the new top.

Thanks, it is a good price, even with the $7.95 shipping it is less than $16.29 a bottle I paid for 16oz size.

However, that link above from Amazon I posted has it for less but you have to order 3 bottles.... It's a conundrum I tell you. There is even some other re-sellers with a very low price and the shipping effectively doubles it.

Anyways, however you go, can't go wrong with 303!

i have used 303 on my interiors and on my boat vynal. it is a good product and i am sure it or Raggtop either works well. i bought raggtop as that is what Haartz told me to use. i think it important to use either one, whether a person uses Colgate or Crest, as long as you brush your teeth, it dont matter which product, just do it.

:word:

I paid $15 for mine at Ace Hardware.

I used 303 on my old top but two weeks ago I used the BMW convertible fabric protectorant on my new lid and I am very impressed. My boss had a 'vert BMW and he is very OCD about his cars. We discussed what he uses and that I had bought 303.

I think the application is much more robust so it protects better. First you take the entire bottle and dump it in 2.5 liters of water, park the car in the shade, make sure the top is clean and use a sponge to saturate the fabric. I kept doing this until all of the solution was gone. Then park in it the sun and let it dry. That was it.

Never got water to bead like this with spraying 303 on the cloth. Heck, it didnt bead up much when it was new! BTW my new top was 1 year old in August.

I took the 303 and put it in a bucket, I then used a sponge and sponged it on making sure it soaked into the fabric. After it dried it beaded water just like wax on the paint. You cannot just spray it on.

Thats what the manufacturer instructions state...:iono:

Yeah, the first time I applied the 303 I did it straight spray from the bottle, as the bottle came with a spray applicator........it worked fine but quite a bit of overspray on the body and windows.

So this time, last time, I used a sponge and it is as good as before, minus the overspray, but you do tend to use more with a sponge, at least I did.

Lastly, are you guys on the metric system in GA? How much is 2.5L ?

LOL, no but BMW is. Luckily the bucket I was using had liters marked on it, but it is basically a quart. 1 Quart = .95 liters. :cool:

To add to what Angrybird has said above:

I went a slightly different direction & used a 4" thick nap paint roller to apply the 303, and a 1" sash brush to get the tight spots, after having first cleaned the top using 303 cleaner & a horsehair brush. Went on very well, nothing got on the paint or glass. Spraying the product doesn't cover as well, gets overspray on glass and paint, that's hard to get off. I wasted nearly 1/2 of a 32 oz bottle spraying my first around in the Spring & got disappointing results.

I used Chemical Guys, cleaner & UV/Repellent. Fantastic results, beads water off fine. Spray applicator 4 passes, 1st one heavy, dry overnite, then 3 light passes, 20 mins apart. It was a snap adding the treatment, but hard time masking the car for over-spray. I'm good for 3 years. 2.5 yrs to go. :D
http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p...psjz7g4nrc.jpg