Cleaning and maintaining the convertible top
#31
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On the 986 and 981 I just used a drop cloth over the trunk and windex on the glass but on the Spyder I’ll probably tape off around the top and use the thin, disposable plastic stuff you can buy at Lowe’s / Home Depot that you would use to protect your furniture when you paint. It’s cheap, easy to work with and a lot easier to tape off then cleaning up overspray.
Last edited by mjw930; 03-06-2021 at 12:13 PM.
#32
RL Community Team
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One the 986 and 981 I just used a drop cloth over the trunk and windex on the glass but on the Spyder I’ll probably tape off around the top and use the thin, disposable plastic stuff you can buy at Lowe’s / Home Depot that you would use to protect your furniture when you paint. It’s cheap, easy to work with and a lot easier to tape off then cleaning up overspray.
#33
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On the 986 and 981 I just used a drop cloth over the trunk and windex on the glass but on the Spyder I’ll probably tape off around the top and use the thin, disposable plastic stuff you can buy at Lowe’s / Home Depot that you would use to protect your furniture when you paint. It’s cheap, easy to work with and a lot easier to tape off then cleaning up overspray.
As for the plastic rear window, I believe that less is more, a gentle rinse before a gentle wipe with a very soapy microfiber mitt at the beginning of a wash to guarantee no contaminants, even with this careful routine I only wash it every once and awhile only rinsing it during the regular wash. The top itself gets washed maybe every 5-6th time, never scrubbing and only in the direction of the fabric, like the rear window most times it just gets a rinse.
I have been using this process sucessfully for the past 15 years on the Porsche's in my care.
Last edited by Westcoast; 03-06-2021 at 12:46 PM.
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mjw930 (03-06-2021)
#34
IMHO, the best thing you can do for soft top longevity is to make sure it’s clean before putting it down. Dirt and road vibrations will abrade the sections of the top that nest together when folded.
#35
Rennlist Member
Additionally use a roller sticky tape lint brush to remove any loose debris/dust between washed. Only works when dry.
#36
Rennlist Member
For 15 years of owning Boxsters I’ve cleaned, protected the roof 1x/year. Full detail of car 1x/year. Then just touchless carwashes followed by 5min quick detail/protection, in between, as needed. Has worked like a charm with minimal hassle, and we have rain here in the NE too. The less you touch and fondle both the top and the car while keeping them clean, the better. More time left for driving, too.
Not sure how the 981/718 Spyder top would handle a touchless carwash. The 987 Spyder top couldn’t.
Have used both the Porsche top cleaner and protectant and Raggtop. Haven’t noticed a difference. Both work well.
Not sure how the 981/718 Spyder top would handle a touchless carwash. The 987 Spyder top couldn’t.
Have used both the Porsche top cleaner and protectant and Raggtop. Haven’t noticed a difference. Both work well.
Last edited by hf1; 03-07-2021 at 08:26 AM.
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#38
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The OE supplier to Porsche for the cabriolet top coatings is Wolfsteins. Wolfsteins is the parent company that owns the brand RaggTopp. The Porsche protectant is just re-branded RaggTopp.
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lee_337 (05-16-2022)
#39
Instructor
For the Porsche-branded spray:
IMHO take your time. Tape / mask off very carefully. Do not get overspray or drift on any surrounding surfaces. Not paint. Not glass, plastics or seals.
Follow the instructions. Even strokes at about 1 ft/sec. Slight overlap. One can is good for a full application on two tops. And do not breathe the VOCs. Nasty stuff.
I'm a big 303 fan. But I'd only use that product after the spray has been on for a while.
Beyond that - horsehair brush. I got two Foloda brand - Amazon. Perfect.
IMHO take your time. Tape / mask off very carefully. Do not get overspray or drift on any surrounding surfaces. Not paint. Not glass, plastics or seals.
Follow the instructions. Even strokes at about 1 ft/sec. Slight overlap. One can is good for a full application on two tops. And do not breathe the VOCs. Nasty stuff.
I'm a big 303 fan. But I'd only use that product after the spray has been on for a while.
Beyond that - horsehair brush. I got two Foloda brand - Amazon. Perfect.
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johnbplus9 (08-28-2022)
#40
Rennlist Member
I used the 303 fabric guard applied with a 4" paint roller. I taped off around the windows and wing areas first with blue painters tape. I bought the gallon size on Amazon.
#41
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Thread Starter
Bumping the thread since I have my car and it's due for it's first wash.
I reread through all of the posts and I noticed many people are saying to use a soft brush and basically just water to "wash" the convertible top if you get something like bird poop on it. Does anybody have a specific soft brush they can recommend? Is there one that is specifically used for convertible tops that I don't know about?
Just ordered a bunch of stuff from Griot's Garage but can't say that I saw anything for a convertible top brush but at the same time, I didn't know to look for one.
Update: I found these brushes. Any opinions on them?
boars' hair brush and horse hair brush
I reread through all of the posts and I noticed many people are saying to use a soft brush and basically just water to "wash" the convertible top if you get something like bird poop on it. Does anybody have a specific soft brush they can recommend? Is there one that is specifically used for convertible tops that I don't know about?
Just ordered a bunch of stuff from Griot's Garage but can't say that I saw anything for a convertible top brush but at the same time, I didn't know to look for one.
Update: I found these brushes. Any opinions on them?
boars' hair brush and horse hair brush
Last edited by halfmonkey; 07-15-2021 at 01:59 PM.
#42
Rennlist Member
I used roller brush to apply two coats of 303. When I wash I don't put any soap on it but when I rinse I make sure to give it a quick once over with water. When I dry I just drag my drying towel over it once and it's done. Comes out great with minimal touching of the fabric. I would avoid brushing.
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#43
Instructor
I used 303 on my 986S Boxster top for years - had purchased the car used and it had been neglected... 303 did a marvelous job restoring the canvas to a like new condition. I had used it for years on my sailboat canvas with great results - will probably continue to use it on the Spyder - when it arrives.
#44
Bumping the thread since I have my car and it's due for it's first wash.
I reread through all of the posts and I noticed many people are saying to use a soft brush and basically just water to "was" the convertible top if you get something like bird poop on it. Does anybody have a specific soft brush they can recommend? Is there one that is specifically used for convertible tops that I don't know about?
Just ordered a bunch of stuff from Griot's Garage but can't say that I saw anything for a convertible top brush but at the same time, I didn't know to look for one.
Update: I found these brushes. Any opinions on them?
boars'
hair brush and horse hair brush
I reread through all of the posts and I noticed many people are saying to use a soft brush and basically just water to "was" the convertible top if you get something like bird poop on it. Does anybody have a specific soft brush they can recommend? Is there one that is specifically used for convertible tops that I don't know about?
Just ordered a bunch of stuff from Griot's Garage but can't say that I saw anything for a convertible top brush but at the same time, I didn't know to look for one.
Update: I found these brushes. Any opinions on them?
boars'
hair brush and horse hair brush
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#45
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Ditto. No matter what one uses just be gentle when cleaning it and just use water or something like ONR. I use one of the old-fashioned lint brushes that are Red, which one can get at Walmart or even the Dollar Tree.
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Mikey K (09-11-2021)