Rookie washing mistake - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

TerryB · 08-22-2005, 02:02 PM

I washed my new Boxster today for the first time. I used a Meguiars wool mit with their car wash. The mistake is that I used this combo on the convertible top. It left lint all over the top. I couldn't even rinse it off. Ultimately, I removed all the lint with a clothing lint remover. It looks fine as well as the rest of the car.
What is the alternative? Just rinse it off and then wash the rest of the car?

SD987 · 08-22-2005, 02:15 PM

From what I understand, car-wash soap and the treated canvas top don't work well together. I made the same rookie mistake as you with the same problem solver. Since then, when the car top is still wet (you should rinse it off without soap) I've used a synthetic chamois along the top to "brush" the water off which has seemed to work well and reduces drying time.

lexuspilot · 08-22-2005, 02:16 PM

Read some articles on the different car detailing sites like http://www.autopia.org/, so that you don't make too many rookie mistakes. No need to reinvent the wheel.

xclusivecar · 08-22-2005, 02:44 PM

Only hose down the top most of the time and use a chamois or micro fiber towel to just "soak up" the excess water. The top will be dry in minutes. Shampoo the top only occasionally with an approved top cleaner and protect the top with an approved protectant. The water and dirt will just bead off!

TerryB · 08-22-2005, 03:13 PM

Perhaps then I inadvertently removed some of the protectant.
Would it be a good idea to reapply?
I've read that Raggtopp is good.

gschiener · 08-22-2005, 03:30 PM

Does water still bead up on the top?... If so I think you're okay... the Meguiars wash is pretty mild... when you do need it I think Raggtopp is excellent.

Rail26 · 08-22-2005, 04:18 PM

Raggtopp works like a champ!

fab · 08-23-2005, 04:06 AM

I second that! Raggtop is an excellent product.

Perfectlap · 08-23-2005, 05:51 AM

Try to rinse the top thoroughly with a stiff stream of water. Use an OXO feathertip brush with the water to make sure all of the soap detergent is out of the canvas.
Those soaps attract dust when they get into the canvas and dust is the biggest enemy of the soft top. Especially during summer when it doesn't rain as much and the sun acts like a magnifying glass. Don't use soap on your rear window either.
Use a damp towel to clean debris and follow up with a glass cleaner or Plexus and Renovo if you have a plastic window. I recommend Sonus waffle weave towels that have tufted loop ends instead of split microfiber threading which can scratch glass and plastic.