TPW 2/7 - convertibles & coupes!

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by Drago77

Various sellers on Ebay- gills came out great, side markers are decent, not sure if they'll hold up through a car wash tho- but the taillight tint was a royal.pain in the a$$!!!! Im concidering removing and getting the GTS covers (although I hate that their logo is printed on them!) The tint was really hard to apply properly and even after hours of work (and I concider myself good at graphic work) I still have bubbles..

I have had covertibles for the past 8 years. DO NOT run them through car washes.The high pressure can allow the water to leak through seals and the waterproofing sealant on the roof wears quicker. If you can't wash at home go to a car wash where you can wash yourself, but don't use the "foam brush", as it usually holds the last guys dirt and grit. Just spray it (the roof gentley) or bring your own car wash brush.

You will also want to use a top cleaner once a year, more if your car is not keep in a garage. The best I have found is:
303 Fabric Convertible Top Cleaner & Protector Kit
You can get it on Amazon.

[Drago77]

Originally Posted by Mandog

I have had covertibles for the past 8 years. DO NOT run them through car washes.The high pressure can allow the water to leak through seals and the waterproofing sealant on the roof wears quicker. If you can't wash at home go to a car wash where you can wash yourself, but don't use the "foam brush", as it usually holds the last guys dirt and grit. Just spray it (the roof gentley) or bring your own car wash brush.

You will also want to use a top cleaner once a year, more if your car is not keep in a garage. The best I have found is:
303 Fabric Convertible Top Cleaner & Protector Kit
You can get it on Amazon.

THANKS for the info- this is my first convertible so I was gonna start looking for something for the top! I didn't plan on using an automatic carwash- they used to make my t tops leak, I can only imagine what it'd do to a vert!

Gonna look for that cleaner now- thanks!

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by Drago77

THANKS for the info- this is my first convertible so I was gonna start looking for something for the top! I didn't plan on using an automatic carwash- they used to make my t tops leak, I can only imagine what it'd do to a vert!

Gonna look for that cleaner now- thanks!

I meant to add you want to use the sealer \ protectorant also. The one I listed is a kit with both the cleaner and protectorant. I would put the top up halfway, drape the windows with a cheap plastic painter dropcloth, the real thin ones (like clear wrap), then close the top down. the stuff is a pain to get off windows and paint.

303 also makes a great interior protectorant. It's like Armoral, but not as greasy. With a convertible, especially leather in FL you want to apply this or similar once a month to protect the interior from the sun.

[modawg2k]

Originally Posted by Mandog

I meant to add you want to use the sealer \ protectorant also. The one I listed is a kit with both the cleaner and protectorant. I would put the top up halfway, drape the windows with a cheap plastic painter dropcloth, the real thin ones (like clear wrap), then close the top down. the stuff is a pain to get off windows and paint.

303 also makes a great interior protectorant. It's like Armoral, but not as greasy. With a convertible, especially leather in FL you want to apply this or similar once a month to protect the interior from the sun.

Thanks Mandog. I know this question will come up a million times in the near future. If on there was a way that us vert owners could get vert specific information from this forum without sifting through misc info... hmmmm

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by modawg2k

Thanks Mandog. I know this question will come up a million times in the near future. If on there was a way that us vert owners could get vert specific information from this forum without sifting through misc info... hmmmm

Maybe we could suggest a Vert specific Forum. What a novel idea! I'll have my neighbor Nutbutt suggest it.

[Drago77]

Originally Posted by Mandog

Maybe we could suggest a Vert specific Forum. What a novel idea! I'll have my neighbor Nutbutt suggest it.

Been suggested, requested, demanded etc... numerous times!

Perhaps one if the senior moderators had a bird Shit on his head once upon a time, and has forever sworn off Verts and their owners!!!!

Would make life a lot easier for us though!

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by Drago77

Been suggested, requested, demanded etc... numerous times!

Perhaps one if the senior moderators had a bird Shit on his head once upon a time, and has forever sworn off Verts and their owners!!!!

Would make life a lot easier for us though!

I was being sarcastic. I have already put my vote in on Nutbutt's thread to the moderators. I'm sure there is a lot of advise owners of previous verts can pass along. DON'T PARK UNDER TREES WITH YOU ROOF DOWN. You think getting bird crap off your roof is tough, try getting it off you interior!

[modawg2k]

Originally Posted by Mandog

I was being sarcastic. I have already put my vote in on Nutbutt's thread to the moderators. I'm sure there is a lot of advise owners of previous verts can pass along. DON'T PARK UNDER TREES WITH YOU ROOF DOWN. You think getting bird crap off your roof is tough, try getting it off you interior!

Haha... I think we'll let Drago slide on missing the sarcasm... he's had quite a the roller coaster week

[Angella]

hey drago~ what company Gills do you have? i saw some pictures of other cars from various companies and they look shasty..... yours look pretty good~

[mikeec]

my car was bayed for its third time on 3/1. Maybe a rail car # soon.

[Drago77]

Originally Posted by Angella

hey drago~ what company Gills do you have? i saw some pictures of other cars from various companies and they look shasty..... yours look pretty good~

Hey Ang, i'll try to check tonight- wife got em for me as an X Mas gift... they're the "faded" not solid. From a few feet back it looks like real slits

Getting tint done as I type!

[Drago77]

Originally Posted by modawg2k

Haha... I think we'll let Drago slide on missing the sarcasm... he's had quite a the roller coaster week

My bad ... been a long week already, and the wifes been in a mood... ugh!!!

[modawg2k]

Originally Posted by Drago77

My bad ... been a long week already, and the wifes been in a mood... ugh!!!

Women.......

[dcfan22]

One other thing about auto-car washes - THEY SCRATCH RIMS! Any thoughts on invisible shields to keep the bugs from collecting on the front bumper? Looks, price, best?