Cleaning Convertable Top

[m3lovah]

Ive just always hosed my top down and not really worried about it. Lately though Ive thought about trying to keep it in better condition. Anyone have a specific item they use if you have a convertable or anything youve heard about and would recomend? Thanks in advance.

[David]

Look at the chart in this link.

http://www.properautocare.com/imcon.html

This site also has some good how to articles. See if they have anything on convertible tops.

I recco taking any of their advice. They are one of the best detailing retailers.

[bmwpower]

Use the Porsche protectant and wash. Works really well. I've used it for a couple of years now.

[m3lovah]

Where do you get that? Currently im just washing it with with normaly and letting it dry but I dont want to have to replace it in a couple years.

[CruzrM3]

I just vaccum the top and use a corse brush to get rid of the dust. Then I do a final pass with a lint roller and it looks just like new.

Regarding washing the top, I figure the less water that you spray onto the top, the longer it will last without having to water-proof it again.

[m3lovah]

Ok well this is what I did the last time I washed it. I hit it with a spray hose then used car cleaning normal stuff on it. Then I let it dry and used a lint brush later that night to get little crap off it. It looks good but I just want it to last basically. Those suckers are expensive to replace.

[bmwpower]

The Porsche stuff can be found at any local Porsche dealer or www.carcareonline.com My Porsche dealer was cheaper.

I normally use it twice a year.

The best thing about the Porsche protectant is that it's an aerosol spray, which makes it easy to apply evenly. I believe the BMW brand is a pump spray. Stay away from pump sprays.

[m3lovah]

Alrighty. My gf is gonna kill me. I have about 150+ in car care stuff hahaha. Chamois, terry cloth towels, wax applicators, almost every kind of car cleaner made by Meguiars. Now to add one more!

[bmwpower]

Tell her the protectant is a new type of hairspray you'd like her to try. Just tell her to only use it twice a year... :biglaughb

[SilverStreak]

Also, www.z3solution.com has some convertible top care products (even if not specifically for a Z3 Vert, any BMW Vert top).

[m3lovah]

Yeah power..and when it starts to smell wierd and she cant wash her hair..what do I say then? Whoops hunny...wrong product!

[big A]

Amazing Roll-off http://www.properautocare.com/ro-32.html

I use it on the top and the wheels. I have been using it for a year with no problems.

[98///M-DROPTOP]

The parking lot at work has a few Boxters and I've really admired the way the water beads up on their tops.......heck, water beads better on their tops than it does on their wax jobs! :12: While I have yet to buy and use the Porsche product I have no doubt that it is effective and it's on my "to buy" list.
As for my own top, I just was it with the same Eagle car wash that the rest of the car gets. Soap it up with the lambs wool mit then hose it off.
After four years of parking outdoors, rain and shine, 5 days a week and a wash every other week the only fading is the stiching and I touch that up occasionally with a black permanent ink felt tip marker. :)
Mike