Top canvas life

[the_lonely_guy]

I have and 04 986 base. The water no longer beads on the top. It beads for a couple of seconds at the most and gets absorbed (even in light drizzle). My question is can this be rectified by treating the top with something like raggtop or something. Also the top shows a lot of stress marks which make those spots really thin like its wearing off. What can I do to prevent this from happening? Also how long do these tops last with proper care in a southern climate

[djantlive]

Porsche dealer sell a spray to protect the top from sun and water. If the top is dirty, buy a top wash from dealer also and use a soft brush. I use a lint roller to clean up the top when it's dry. If top isn't too dirty, rinse with stiff water when you wash the car. Never wash cab in auto car wash.

Keep the top from sun and water exposure. I use a car cover if it has to be parked outside of a garage.

Are those stress marks near the "C pillar"? That's normal if so. Keep the top up when it's parked for a few days or stored in winter. If your rear window is plastic, don't forget to condition it to avoid yellowing. Dealer sells that.

Raggtop is also good. I just like Porsche's stuff as it's readily available at dealer and it's cheaper than Raggtop and works real well.

[the_lonely_guy]

The mark can be seen (atleast the ones I know of) mostly towards the rear end and around the glass window of the car. I had the dealer check for any sharp objects or the support rods that might be causing this. They found nothing. They suggested that I use some kinda foam pads at the points where the support rods are present to reduce the stress to the canvas material itself. Other than that they said that it was usual wear and tear issue.

And I didn't know that Raggtop was that costly. The last I checked it was about $20 for a can.

[djantlive]

Porsche wash is $8 a bottle and spray is $14. It's a little cheaper than Raggtop esp since you'll have to pay postage. Not a big savings but I actually prefer Porsche stuff as it's designed specifically for the fabric and approved.

If you can post a pic of the stress mark, that would be easier to visualize. I don't think it's normal around the rear glass. I'd take the top to be looked at by another dealer or a convertible specialist. It could be wearing from the mechanism that folds on top of the glass when top is down. If so the outside of the top would show wear mark which you can avoid by putting a flannel or cotten towel on top of the glass b4 top is lowered completely. Do this when you drive the car for a long time with the top down.

[CA_Boxster]

I used the raggtop stuff and the top beads like waxed paint. It's great. You may be able to buy it at a local upholstery shop that does tops. It's not all that expensive, and a can will last a long time.

Wear at the rear corners is normal. Just don't leave the top folded when you don't need to (i.e., overnight in the garage) and you can minimize it.

[the_lonely_guy]

These are two stress marks that are really visible. The others are a little hard to see. they look a bit worse in person than in the pictures

[djantlive]

I have that on my cab but it's just wrinkles and no real wear in fabric on mine. If you have war in fabric, it's probly something rubbing against the top when it's stored. Keep the top up more to keep it tight and see a different dealer / top specialist to for second opinion.

[djantlive]

BTW, anyway to remove the wrinkles? The protectant spray didn't help.

[the_lonely_guy]

I haven't yet resprayed the top. I just ordered the raggtopp top cleaning yet. Will do it over this weekend and post pics of how it turns out.

On the stress marks ... what got me concerned was that these marks didn't follow the wrinkle mark trends. They seem to stand out. Just have to do more of top up driving and there is just one dealer here in New Mexico so have no choice unless I plan a road trip :(

Edited June 8, 2005 by the_lonely_guy

[djantlive]

One dealer? That must be why you are the lonely guy!

Have some uphostery shop look at the wrinkle. Get a lint roller - it's a must have for a new looking top.

[CA_Boxster]

I've seen the typical fold patterns on tops, and yours doesn't look typical. The extra fold marks and the pressure points make it look like there's something off with the way your top is folding into the well.

Edited June 9, 2005 by CA_Boxster

[HEDDOK]

While on the topic- how often should one re-waterproof the top?

Brad

[the_lonely_guy]

CA boxster I have checked the way the top folds and didn't notice out of the ordinary fold patterns. There are a couple of stains on the top (the car had 4k mi on it when I bought it. dont know what the previous owner did with it. He was 80 !!!!!!) That's was started me on this stress thingy. Cause I dont find anything that might have caused them. One body shop I went to suggested I use some foam pads where the support rods were, that way I reduce the stress on the canvas and also the sharp folding. I was going to try that. The weather here is really dry and he said that that might definitely cause this. Hopefully reconditioning the top and using the foam pads should take care of this problem ... I HOPE

Djantlive Not soo lonely .. they do sell quite a few cars around this area. Just not that many where I live !!!! ;) So I'm not that lonely after all. But where I live (about an hour drive from the dealer) I am the only one with this car. Makes it real difficult to evade the cops ... THEY JUST KNOW WHERE I LIVE :((

[djantlive]

While on the topic- how often should one re-waterproof the top?

Brad

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It needs to be conditioned when the water doesn't bead. For most, this is every 6-10 months depending on how much your top sees the sun and rain. The spray also repels dust and dirt.

Wash it thoroughly with a top cleaner. I have hear normal car wash may not always be good for the top so I bought the Porsche top cleaner. At $8, it's cheaper than anything I've gotten from the dealer!