I've been looking for something to lubricate the seals throughout the top for a long time. The popping/cracking noises drive me nuts and it comes from the rubber and plastic sticking together then sliding apart as the top shifts. The problem is all of the lubricants in the auto parts store says not to use it on rubber or plastic. They also do not specify they are safe for rubber or plastic and it's not going on my Porsche unless it's explicit about being safe.
Anyway, I was in Lowe's last weekend getting some stuff for the bathroom I'm building in the basement. Next to the plumber's putty I saw a little jar of plumber's grease. Hmmm, what is this made of? I read the label and it says it's a simple silicone compound with no petroleum products and it is supposed to be used on rubber seals and plastic plumbing parts. Wooohooooo!!! I'll try it.
I opened the top so I could get into all of the joints in the top. Next I took a Q-Tip and put the grease in the joints and made sure I covered all of the rubber and plastic parts inside, but very careful not to put it where it could get on the fabric.
NO MORE POPS!! :dance:
I'm seeing how long it works now, but it should last at least several months.