A renewal would be prudent because I believe (but can’t prove) that the waterproofing of the top will deteriorate with time and through exposure to the sun, water, etc. How often? Mine is completed every two years or so and receives exposure similar to yours.
The guidebook states:
Never wash the convertible top along with the rest of the car. Typically, washing the convertible top in fresh water will do. Never use sharp edges to remove snow or ice.
With a gentle brush, remove dust from the convertible top following the weave. Use a sponge or soft brush to gently rub the convertible top after moistening it with warm water and a convertible top cleaner only if there is severe dirt buildup. Clean water should be used to completely rinse the convertible top of the washing shampoo and cleaner. Porsche recommends Porsche Equipment’s auto care products.
After washing, use a convertible-top maintenance product to treat the cover at least once a year. Avoid letting the care product for convertible tops touch glass or paint. Remove it at away if it does come in contact with paint.
A specialized convertible-top care product can be used if there is leaking in the convertible-top cover or at its seams and folds. Please pay attention to the labels on the containers. Porsche recommends Porsche Equipment’s auto care products.
Eliminate bird waste right away. Because of the acid in this, the rubber swells and the convertible top begins to leak.
To avoid stains and abrasion damage, only open the convertible top and convertible-top part when they are entirely dry.
Use a soft rubber sponge to gently scrub away stains from the convertible top material.
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When I wash my automobile, I hose off my top. Dry it out. On it, apply 303 Aerospace Protectant. That’s all there is, and despite being a 15-year-old top, it still looks brand new!
Plus one for the 303 Aerospace material. I apply the 303 Fabric Guard after letting the 303 Fabric Cleaner dry for 48 hours after using it once a year. The top has a brand-new appearance and is just as water-resistant as paint. Great product!
I can buy it up here at Northern Performance in Burlington, Ontario. Given that their goods are highly regarded for boats, RVs, truck covers, and other items, I’m sure that many RV or vehicle accessory shops carry it.
100% utilized 303. However, avoid using a hard, stiff brush; doing so only leads to wear and tear. Instead, get a good, soft brush. Considering that it has always been garaged and always been covered at night when on vacations, my car appears to be brand new.
I use a brush made of horsehair that I purchased from Amazon. Ragg Top Cleaner appears as a related product when you search for it. I changed from using 303 fabric guard to ragg top protectant.
This year’s Cottonwood is terrible. Every day, my roof takes on the appearance of my teenaged chin when I first tried to grow a beard. In between washes, I’ve been using a lint roller. It appears brand new in only a few minutes.
The top, in my opinion, needed to breathe. Is that a dated rumor? My top has been washed, but I’ve never treated it with repellent.
My top held up well even during Austin’s 17+ inch rain month. I suppose it was simply well washed?
A great pricing can be found at a Stuart, Florida-based business that sells a complete set of cleaner, brush, and conditioner. Since they are a McQuires dealer, finding them should be simple.
danieldolin
You can buy a cleaning and sealer combination of Raggtopp. The cleaner is applied wet to the top of the surface, worked in with a bristle brush of some kind (not supplied), and then hosed off. It comes in a standard pump spray bottle. Make sure the brush you use is not too soft but won’t leave bristles all over your top either. If it occurs, you’ll need to remove them all by hand or with a lint roller before applying the sealant.
The sealer is then applied in a few coats, allowing each coat to dry for 30 minutes. When finished, the top will have a gorgeous black matte finish that is uniform. Depending on usage and sun exposure, water will continue to bead for at least a few months to a few years. After application, hose off any dirt to remove it rather than washing with soap. It’s time to start over when the water stops beading.
How is the convertible top on a Porsche Boxster cleaned?
Although you won’t need to wash fabric tops frequently, they do need maintenance to keep them looking beautiful. In most cases, regular brushing is sufficient to get rid of dust and light filth. Use a soft brush and brush in the direction of the weave of the fabric.
If the top has become particularly dirty, you can wash it with a dedicated convertible-top cleaner or simply spray it with warm, clean water. The cleaner should be removed with a soft brush or sponge (a cloth will leave lint), and then the area should be thoroughly cleaned with lukewarm water.
Additionally, you ought to re-proof the top with a fabric protector once a year.
There are alternatives to Porsche’s own Wash-Shampoo & Convertible Top Cleaner products from companies like Autoglym and Renovo.
How should a convertible top be cleaned?
A convertible car is frequently an exhilarating blend of beauty and performance, giving it bragging rights with horsepower. Owners of convertibles enjoy driving their open-air vehicles on pleasant days, but when bad weather arrives, a convertible top is necessary to protect from the elements.
These prestige symbols may be enjoyable and aesthetically beautiful, but if the fragile convertible top material is not well cared for, it can seem ragged and old, detracting from the elegance of the car. Convertible top materials, whether made of fabric or vinyl, shouldn’t be treated with the same level of care as a car’s painted surfaces. It needs to be handled delicately and protected because it is less resilient than the fiberglass or painted steel of the rest of the vehicle.
Convertible tops that aren’t properly maintained or that aren’t protected can age much more quickly, perhaps developing leaks as well as an unattractive appearance. Fabric convertible tops are chemically treated to repel water and contaminants, whereas vinyl tends to survive the environment for a longer period of time. These shields, though, will lose their effectiveness with time. Your convertible top needs a protectant treatment if you see any wet areas where water has pooled or seeped through the fabric.
A convertible top protectant should be applied after washing your convertible top at least once each month. The delicate surface of your convertible top may be harmed by common household cleaning supplies that contain substances like bleach, alcohol, vinegar, and ammonia. Cloth or vinyl will soon disintegrate when cleaned harshly, and ammonia and alcohol will dry the fabric and give the vinyl a hazy, lifeless appearance.
Your convertible top should be cleaned and deodorized with a non-abrasive cleaner that won’t harm the fabrics or vinyl. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner effectively removes dirt and grime without the use of harsh chemicals, and it won’t leave behind any dangerous residue that could damage the protectant or fade the appearance of your top.
Always spot test a surface before using it, particularly convertible top back windows. Pre-wet the surface before cleaning heavy dirt. This makes it simpler to wash clean and helps the Simple Green penetrate dirt.
- Prepare your Simple Green mixture. In a spray bottle, combine about one ounce of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with one cup of water.
- Use the Simple Green approach. To prevent the surface of the convertible top from drying out too quickly before rinsing, spray it in small portions. If allowed to dry, rinsing will take longer.
- To assist in removing filth, gently clean with a soft bristle brush or non-abrasive scrubbing pad.
- Use clean water to rinse. If you’re washing the entire car, hose it off; if you’re only cleaning the roof, rinse by wiping down the surface with a damp microfiber pad or non-abrasive cloth.
- Dry with a fresh microfiber towel or a soft cloth.
- Put some protection on. Utilize a protectant made especially for convertible tops.
How is a Porsche cleaned?
Friedl washes the Porsche with water and then uses a concentrated pH-neutral shampoo diluted in a gallon of warm water to lather it from top to bottom. She works while the wet pad in her palm rises and falls. She never uses circular motions when cleaning a car. Always work in vertical or horizontal lines, she explains, is the first rule. We discover that the circular motions that cause the micro-scratches she despises are what cause them. Additionally, she discourages using regular sponges, saying that “the particles in the sponge generate small new scratches.” Instead, Friedl suggests using a sponge with a cotton cover.
The second rule is to always replace dirty cleaning cloths that are dropped on the floor with clean ones. The third, too? Throughout the washing procedure, keep the car wet. Friedl then rinses the vehicle and uses a rubber scraper to remove the water. Compressed air is used to remove any remaining moisture from the crevices before everything is dried with a clean cloth, again avoiding a circular motion. Prior to being dried with a cloth, the wheels are further cleaned using a cleaning brush and a dedicated wheel cleaner.
How frequently should a convertible top be cleaned?
There’s something seductive and opulent about driving down the road in a convertible. However, maintaining a convertible top isn’t quite as elegant or attractive. Convertible tops require a little more maintenance than the usual car, and how well you take care of your top will greatly affect its appearance and quality. Regular cleaning and protection based on the fabric of your particular convertible are required for proper convertible maintenance. Your convertible won’t last as long if you only use hand washing or drive-through vehicle washes. In fact, it may cause early deterioration that is unsightly and increases the likelihood of leaks and expensive repairs or replacement. Here are some tips for maintaining a convertible top so that it looks good for as long as possible:
Particularly if your convertible is not covered by a garage or covered parking structure, convertibles should typically be washed every one to two weeks. It is advised to wash convertibles more frequently in the summer because the hot climate is hard on the soft top. Care requirements for cloth and vinyl tops are very different. You must first ascertain the composition of your soft top before you can move on. To achieve this, consult your owner’s manual, get in touch with the automaker, or pass the test for vinyl or fabric convertibles.
A Porsche convertible can it be washed?
Stuart Fowle, the company’s communications manager, claims that the new Cascada convertible from Buick can handle automatic washes like an expert. “Car washes are loved by the Cascada. No restrictions. The top frame is extremely sturdy to be able to bear traveling up and down at up to 31 mph, so a car wash brush is no problem. Every car is quality-checked to assure water-tightness.”
Mercedes-Benz also affirmed that it’s okay to drive all of its convertibles through a car wash. The best recommendation is to consult your owner’s manual or contact the automaker’s customer care department.
However, this does not imply that you should immediately drive your vintage Chevrolet Bel Air through the Carz-n-Sudz in your neighborhood.
Wulf advised, “You need to make sure your top is in good shape, with no loose fabric or trim, or worn sections.
How frequently should a Porsche be washed?
It’s normally advised to get your Porsche washed every two to three weeks and detailed at least once every three months, depending on your driving patterns and lifestyle.