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It's A Raggtop Day (hummed to the Jimmy Buffet tune)
Nothing like a deep black cabriolet top that sheds water like the back of a duck. Cleaned the top using Raggtop cleaner and let it sit in the garage a couple days. Then mask the glass and paint with tape and plastic, use the lint roller, and spray (I used the wide heavy-duty plastic wrap from Costco). I do three coats, wait about five minutes, and the "squeegee" the sealant into the top with an old ice scraper. I wait about an hour between coats (temp was mid-50s in the garage). Going forward - no soap on the top, just water and a soft-bristled brush.
The top looks pretty black in these photos but it was *really* dark and solid after I was done.
Woo Hoo! Bring on the rain, Seattle!!! (like rain needs encouragement here)
Anyone know if the stealerships will do this as part of the maintenance program (10k or 20k mile service or annually) and how much? Looks like a pita to me! I have a can of Porsche cabriolet top conditioner and have applied it to previous 911 cab tops (only had this 2013 for one year) and it appears to be more of a water proof product than a color (black) restorer.
Anyone know if the stealerships will do this as part of the maintenance program (10k or 20k mile service or annually) and how much? Looks like a pita to me! I have a can of Porsche cabriolet top conditioner and have applied it to previous 911 cab tops (only had this 2013 for one year) and it appears to be more of a water proof product than a color (black) restorer.
Go to a local detailer instead.
DIY is pretty easy. All that taping and plastic is not really necessary.
DIY is pretty easy. All that taping and plastic is not really necessary.
Thx. This is what I used before and it says to not spray on plastic Windows (pre 2002 911 & pre 2003 Boxsters?), or use in direct sunlight. Also, it says to treat the seams 2-3 times.
Anyone know if the stealerships will do this as part of the maintenance program (10k or 20k mile service or annually) and how much? Looks like a pita to me! I have a can of Porsche cabriolet top conditioner and have applied it to previous 911 cab tops (only had this 2013 for one year) and it appears to be more of a water proof product than a color (black) restorer.
Im more than a tad finicky and concours my car in Street Prep class. It really isn't much of a job, but if you're not into two/three bucket washes, ceramic coatings, lint rollers on cab tops, etc. then a detailed is your best bet. Of course if you're trying to roll everything into prepaid programs as part of a lease that doesn't work.
Raggtop isn't a color restorer per se, but the end result of cleaning and revealing is a *very* black top.
Why all the tape and plastic? I have been using Raggtopp on my ragtop cars for many years. I have never used that tape/plastic method, nor have I had any problems with the paint or windows.
Belt and suspenders guy I guess. For me it was easier to mask and then do 3 or 4 coats than it was to spray and then spot clean 3 or 4 times so there was that aspect as well.
02-12-2016, 11:36 PM
It's A Raggtop Day (hummed to the Jimmy Buffet tune)
