Hard top fitting hack - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Xpit77 · 10-03-2015, 05:42 AM

Putting the hardtop on again.I read somewhere but cant remember where, to put a thin coat of car wax on the rubber seal . Apparently it gives a better seal and doesn`t hurt the finish. Anyone done this ?

leftfield6 · 10-03-2015, 10:46 AM

Wax on rubber seems the opposite of a good idea. Wax hardens as it dries, so it seems like it does exactly the wrong thing.

Now, a coating of a quality rubber treatment I can understand. I use Griot's Garage Vinyl and Rubber Treatment.

Vinyl and Rubber Dressing - Griot's Garage

rfuerst911sc · 10-04-2015, 03:14 AM

Gumiphlage I hope I have the spelling right. Go to any local drug store they will have it. It's what has been used for decades on rubber weatherstripping.

rick3000 · 10-04-2015, 08:21 AM

I have never heard of using wax. It would be a good idea to wax the paint where the hardtop seal touches the car, but I wouldn't put wax on the rubber.

For the hardtop rubber/seals use Gummi Pflege, around $8 on Amazon. It is the absolute best thing you can put on seals and rubber to keep them from getting worn out, and it actually helps make the rubber a bit fuller, which helps avoid squeaks. I coat all the seals I can find 1-2 times a year with it.

Porsche9 · 10-04-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

I have never heard of using wax. It would be a good idea to wax the paint where the hardtop seal touches the car, but I wouldn't put wax on the rubber.

For the hardtop rubber/seals use Gummi Pflege, around $8 on Amazon. It is the absolute best thing you can put on seals and rubber to keep them from getting worn out, and it actually helps make the rubber a bit fuller, which helps avoid squeaks. I coat all the seals I can find 1-2 times a year with it.

I second this. Makes a big difference with the annoying squeaks.

Porsche9 · 10-04-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

I have never heard of using wax. It would be a good idea to wax the paint where the hardtop seal touches the car, but I wouldn't put wax on the rubber.

For the hardtop rubber/seals use Gummi Pflege, around $8 on Amazon. It is the absolute best thing you can put on seals and rubber to keep them from getting worn out, and it actually helps make the rubber a bit fuller, which helps avoid squeaks. I coat all the seals I can find 1-2 times a year with it.

I second this. Makes a big difference with the annoying squeak that you can get with the top installed.

Xpit77 · 10-05-2015, 03:44 AM

Thanks. I installed it dry. It fit great with just a little adjustment.

DarkStar · 10-06-2015, 11:48 AM

I'm soo interested in this lol. I'm already tired of the squeeks in the car now 2 months in of having a hard top permanently installed.

Xpit77 · 10-11-2015, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkStar

I'm soo interested in this lol. I'm already tired of the squeeks in the car now 2 months in of having a hard top permanently installed.

The easiest way to get rid of the squeek is to increase the RPM.

rick3000 · 10-11-2015, 09:12 AM

Have you tried adjusting the top?

Do a search for my comments, I have posted a few times over the years how to do it. The short, short version is, you need to adjust the top every month or so for the first few months it's on the car until it 'settles'. Use the allen bolts above the spi locks, and have someone push the top forward and down as you retighten the bolts to get a better and less squeaky fit.