Convertible Top Moisture Absorbsion?

[Boleador]

Question for the group: what should the convertible top look like after a day of rain?

I carefully washed, brushed, and treated my top recently with RaggTop products. After applying three coats of the water repelling RaggTop treatment, water would bead up and roll off the top with zero absorbsion. In fact, the top appeared hyper aquaphobic; water would roll off comically fast!

Now, a couple weeks and 500 miles later the car is seeing it's first FULL day off rain since I've owned the car (road trip to Sacramento for Christmas) and the water is not beading up on the canvas. Is this normal?

[BoxsterSteve]

I’d call it normal.
Mine does the same thing.

Oh, and Merry Christmas too.

[Geof3]

I use the Porsche top sealant, got caught out in a major thunderstorm this summer and mine was pretty much “dry” afterward. Didn’t absorb a drop. Next time look to see if it’s just surface moisture or if the fabric is actually saturated...

[SC-986]

I used the Raggtop product years ago with ok results. Water beaded up well after initial application but seemed to lose it’s effectiveness after a few months.

Switched to the 303 Fabric Guard product and have been very happy with results. Easier application - you can apply with a paint brush which ensures even coverage and no overspray to deal with.

My last application was in July of 2017 (car is garaged) and water still beads up and rolls off as if l had just applied the protectant. YMMV

https://www.autogeek.net/303.html

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by SC-986

I used the Raggtop product years ago with ok results. Water beaded up well after initial application but seemed to lose it’s effectiveness after a few months.

Switched to the 303 Fabric Guard product and have been very happy with results. Easier application - you can apply with a paint brush which ensures even coverage and no overspray to deal with.

My last application was in July of 2017 (car is garaged) and water still beads up and rolls off as if l had just applied the protectant. YMMV

https://www.autogeek.net/303.html

I did this today to my car with the 303 and using the paint brush. Wow what a nice tip on using the paint brush. Top looks great and I'll be waiting the full 24 hours before I put any water on it.

I did use Raggtop product before and wasn't really happy with it. Hope this 303 does better.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

I did use Raggtop product before and wasn't really happy with it. Hope this 303 does better.

Likewise. Applied the Raggtop product, meh. Maybe you can post your "review" of what you believe/perceive to be the differences. Thanks!

[10/10ths]

....both Ragg Top AND the Porsche top product.

They both work fine.

I think the Porsche stuff works a bit better and does not require as much product to be as effective.

Just try different products and see what works best for you.


Cheers.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Likewise. Applied the Raggtop product, meh. Maybe you can post your "review" of what you believe/perceive to be the differences. Thanks!

I keep records on everything I do to the car, so I will let you know how long the product works.

[Boleador]

Good tip, thanks!

[Paul]

The top has two layers, a cloth layer and a waterproof rubber layer below. No need to waterproof the cloth.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Paul

The top has two layers, a cloth layer and a waterproof rubber layer below. No need to waterproof the cloth.

Good to know. So, the product serves more as a UV filter.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Paul

The top has two layers, a cloth layer and a waterproof rubber layer below. No need to waterproof the cloth.

I don't care what is in between the top cloth and headliner., it's not sealed off to keep the dampness out of the car. I watch the rain hit my car, the top soaks up the rain like it's drinking it. My windows fog up, no water on the carpet, so it's not clogged drains and when I pull my seat belt, it has a damp feeling to it. Putting a top protection on the car stops this.

[Paul]

It is supposed to soak up the rain and pass it through to the rubber layer below. I hate having the top bead since it drips on my neck as I get out of the car.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Paul

It is supposed to soak up the rain and pass it through to the rubber layer below. I hate having the top bead since it drips on my neck as I get out of the car.

I never have an issue with the beading water dripping on my neck. The the dampness in the interior from rain is an issue and the top protection stops this issue.

[Paul]

Perhaps you need a new top.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Paul

Perhaps you need a new top.

Considering it's 16 years old it may have lost some of it's ability to keep the dampness out of the car (I'm talking heavy duty rain, not every time it rains), but the top looks perfect and when I clean and protect the top it looks brand new and the dampness issue is gone. I see no reason to spend the money on a new top.

[mcmike27A]

By far the 303 cleaner then the top sealant is the the best product. I use the small foam angled brushes and the small foam rollers to apply it. Two coats and it LASTS for quite some time. Water just beads up and runs off. Plus the 303 product has the UV protectant in its formulation. I use the 303 products everywhere.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by mcmike27A

By far the 303 cleaner then the top sealant is the the best product. I use the small foam angled brushes and the small foam rollers to apply it. Two coats and it LASTS for quite some time. Water just beads up and runs off. Plus the 303 product has the UV protectant in its formulation. I use the 303 products everywhere.

I used that product last time I treated my top... and like it.

Raggtop? IMHO, over-rated. If I'm putting a sealant on my top I want it to ****************ing seal... not piss out after a couple months.