Long term appearance of lighter colored tops- Opinions?

[teacher]

Originally Posted by Wret

I'll need to decide on a new top for my seal grey boxster soon. It came with a grey top which I like, but it seems it's always dirty. Keeping it clean requires intense scrubbing, then waterproofing. My prior car was also a convertible with a tan top on a black car. I really liked the color contrast but it seems to me that lighter colored tops show more stainsand wear over time than black tops. Anyone have experience with both light and dark colored tops? Is black easier to maintain?

I'm really not happy about how the convertible tops leave etchings over time. I look at convertible tops on other cars and they look good after years of use, yet mine is flawed with frayed marks, you know what I mean. I'm just glad I didn't buy my car new and I knew what I was getting into (expected to pay for a new top which will also become blemished). I even looked at a 2002 boxster with 5,000 miles on it, still tainted? A big drawback on this car.

[Wret]

Thanks guys. I think I've about made up my mind on black for the next one.

[Perfectlap]

Navy is nice too, particularly against a dark grey...and it Keeps clean just like black.

Rinse it weekly if its parked outdoors allot. Helps get the dust out, which is the big culprit in breaking down the fabric.

[jmatta]

Second on the Ragg Topp...my '02s top looks almost new, except for creases where it folds. Disclaimer: My car is garaged, weekend driver and rarely gets left outdoors, except when I drive it to my Wisconsin home (no garage, yet).

[Quickurt]

Thanks for the info on Ragg Topp. I'll take the seconded endorsements here to heart.
They also have a product I hadn't considered, the convertable leather interior cleaner and protector. I've had several rag tops over the years, but the boxster is my first with hide interior. Makes too much sense that the leather is going to take way more of a beating in the convertible than in a coupe.
Just ordered their fabric top kit and leather kit.
I also got Aerospace 303 vinyl cleaner/protector for the seals. It arrived today from Campmor. They were the only supplier that came up on google who had it in 8 oz bottles (and the best price on all sizes). I hate to buy a big bottle of something to try it. Like everyone else, I'm sure, I have a couple of shelves with stuff I bought and used once. From reading their supplied information kit, I'm going to use the 303 on my dash. Maybe the sand beige shows it more, but the dash seems to really pick up crud from top down driving.