OEM Top Maintenance - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tonyg · 06-13-2006, 07:21 PM

OEM Top Maintenance

The top on my '03 Boxster looks just fine - I have never used anything on it but plain H2O. I know that the "car wash" soap that I use doesn't belong anywhere near the top and I'm very careful when I wash the car not to get the suds on the top. My question is: Does the top need to be "water proofed" routinely or only when there appears to be a problem? My service manager told me that the top looked just fine and that I could have it "treated" at the dealer (Champion) in a couple of years. I don't want to play with the top if it's not necessary. Also, what is the life of a well maintained top?

Marc Gelefsky · 06-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyg

OEM Top Maintenance

The top on my '03 Boxster looks just fine - I have never used anything on it but plain H2O. I know that the "car wash" soap that I use doesn't belong anywhere near the top and I'm very careful when I wash the car not to get the suds on the top. My question is: Does the top need to be "water proofed" routinely or only when there appears to be a problem? My service manager told me that the top looked just fine and that I could have it "treated" at the dealer (Champion) in a couple of years. I don't want to play with the top if it's not necessary. Also, what is the life of a well maintained top?

If water no longer beads on your top it should be treated with product like Raggtop or I had very good luck with Renovo.
My 2001's top was just about perfect until it was vandalized Sunday, now it's being replaced but it had plenty of life left in it.
I use Porsche Top cleaner to wash it.

06-14-2006, 04:01 AM

Ragg Topp is great stuff, and a do it yourself project. One can will give you at least 5-6 coats. I put 3 coats on my top the first week after bringing it home. It beads for sure now. FYI- the factory coating offered no beading whatsoever.

If you park outside for extended periods of time, you might want to purchase a convertile top cover. They are about $65 on e-Bay. This will also help extend the life of your top...and keep it clean(er)!