Soft top care?

[JasonC]

I have recently replaced my top and was wondering what I can do to take care of it. I've seen brushes to brush it off but any products to apply to it to keep it in tip top shape? Or do I just wash it off with water and let it dry?

[MoreMayhem]

I occasionally use a product called RaggTopp on the fabric and a product for plastic windows that I can't remember what it is called. Maybe a meguiars product.
I think the best thing that can be done for it though is to park it indoors as much as possible.

[g.ruff561]

There some commercial boating products made for marine use that are very good on canvas which is the same family of fabric our tops are made. They claim to water resist and condition.

I cannot remember the product I use because I put it in a generic spray bottle. Research and give a product a try. Report back....... G.

[Das Delfin]

I use raggtopp, and it works pretty well. I bought the whole kit with the cleaner, horse hair brush, and sealer, though you really only need the sealer. You want to reapply every 3 months or so, and one can will last you three seasons. The idea is you tape off everything you don't want sprayed with newspaper and coat the top twice, then let it dry in the sun.

It helps prevent UV ray damage and makes water bead off, which means water is less likely to soak into the top and leak through the seams, particularly at the two front corners.

As per the bmw owners manual you don't want to wash the top as often as the car; only every 3rd or 4th time (depending on how often you wash the car),

There are two types: one for fabric, and one for canvas. Make sure to get the type for fabric tops

[101]

Another vote for Raggtopp. It's what my local Volvo / Porsche / Maserati dealer used to sell. It's good enough for those guys - it's good enough for me. It really beads the water when first applied.

And like DasDelphin, I rarely wash my top. Granted, the 'vert sits in the garage except for sunny days, and I've gotten real good at washing it with the top down (the black paint shows dust one hour after washing).

The neighbors think I'm nuts ... I know I am.

[JasonC]

yeah I was looking around, and think I'm going to order the Raggtop stuff.

[TimeMachinE30]

RaggTop kit.

Get it very clean. I vacuum and wash it prior to application of the sealer.

I have also used a fabric specific rain and stain repellent product .. can be found at an outdoors store to refresh camping gear.

The plastic window I have polished back to life using a Porter Cable.

Once cleaned and protected, keep it out of the elements.

Also a good time to treat the rubber bits with a good clean and conditioning product like 303.

[JWHIII]

I've never tried it but I've heard good things about Renovo soft top cleaner and ultra proofer. Although it is a helluva a lot more expensive than the Raggtopp stuff!

[CorvallisBMW]

BMW makes a cleaner and protector, I've used it for a few years and like it a lot.


/fanboy

[Das Delfin]

Anyone have any preferences for cleaning/UV protecting the plastic rear window?

[allen_t]

Found this video when I looked up raggtop. Looks like the 303 stuff keeps the water off alot better but not sure as far as UV protection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPntcGKY6mM

[TimeMachinE30]

Tough to protect the window from UV. Products I use which provide UV protection would smear the visibility.

Window cover .. garage queen it.

[CorvallisBMW]

Anyone have any preferences for cleaning/UV protecting the plastic rear window?

I use the Griot's plastic cleaner on mine, but I don't know if it has an UV inhibitors.

[Das Delfin]

^ That's good to know. I'm torn between searching for an oem window cover (saw one on here 4 days ago for $40) or saving my money and throwing a towel over the window.

[JWHIII]

My vert stays in the garage and I put a hardtop on for the winter but I picked up the rear window cover and threw it in the trunk just in case I ever need it. I got lucky and found a new "out of the box" rear window cover on ebay for $35.