New Top Pictures - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

dennizxxx · 05-23-2005, 07:57 AM

ddb, or anyone who would like to share...

I am currently in the position where I am reconisdering a GAHH top as well...

Couple of questions...

1) Does the top fit perfectly as the OEM one, any rattle noises...etc..??
2) I called a reputable top installer (NO AFFILIATION with porsche) and they mentioned to me that they were less than impressed with the GAHH tops...how does the quality and look compare to the original..?? Is there a difference..?
3) I am aware that for the after market tops, you need to "re-use" some of the screws, strips, etc..how difficult is this and can you purchase this seperately.

thanks

dennizxxx · 05-23-2005, 07:58 AM

by the way...your car looks GREAT....the color combinations work very well.!!!!!

Perfectlap · 05-23-2005, 09:23 AM

can't believe it took 8 years for someone to figure out how to do this.
I installed an aftermarket glass window for my old Miata ages ago.

I hope this glass top is one upgrade I never have to do. I cover my top religiously.
Basically if its sitting outdoors for more than three hours this goes on.
Replacing your softop is an entirely preventable expense

Pilot2519j · 05-24-2005, 06:42 AM

I hope this glass top is one upgrade I never have to do. I cover my top religiously.
Basically if its sitting outdoors for more than three hours this goes on.
Replacing your softop is an entirely preventable expense

Pefect Lap:
This is my first convertible and from what I read in your post you are saying that we should cover up the softtops all the time. I had not heard this at any time before. Does this apply to all the seasons? I live in NY. My car is usually garaged but I do leave outside, for up to 8-10 hours, since I use it for work everyday. Las year I used to leave the top down but the dust inside the car got to be terrible that's when I started to put the top up all the time while working.

Brucelee · 05-24-2005, 07:42 AM

In my experience, if you use Plexus say every couple of weeks, your back window will stay nice indeed.

Now, if lived in the desert, I would cover the window if I was leaving my car out all day. That sun is brutal.

Perfectlap · 05-24-2005, 10:51 AM

Pilot,
If we were talking about a vinly top I wouldn't bother taking any maitnenace precautions. Vinly is incredibly durable against sun, rain and dust.

But these canvass tops are a different story. If you leave your car outside when you're at work I would definitely cover it with one of the $40 top covers I use.
It only takes one minute to put on and protects the interior from fading. I also find it cuts down on interior cleaning significantly. Not to mention cleaner glass.

Dust is the big enemy, its the big culprit in causing tears where the top meets the bows. A weekly stiff stream of water will do you allot of good. No Soap though..
I'm on my second top cover after only one winter. You should see it, the threads were coming apart and the sheen from the cover is completely gone.
But actually, I think the summer is harder on the top than winter due to fewer rain fall and the accumulation of dust.

and Of course you should be using Raggtopp which will protect the exposed portion when the top is down. Personally I wouldn't leave the top down for more than an hour uless you have applied 303 to every inch of your interior.
I've seen allot of convertibles that look imaculate on the outside but the leather and dash looks about 10 years older than the car itself, which just ruins the whole experience, especially on a Porsche.

as far as my interior, I use 1Z Einzett Vinly and Rubber protectant on the dash (and tires) every two weeks and 1Z Einzett Cockpit premium every week. Klasse VLRP is good for the black plastic, makes it look new. I keep those little Meguiars and Black Magic brushes handy for getting in the vents an all the other dash crevices. Keeping a convertible looking new is easy if you do it briefly and frequently.

Pilot2519j · 05-24-2005, 11:28 AM

But these canvass tops are a different story. If you leave your car outside when you're at work I would definitely cover it with one of the $40 top covers I use.
It only takes one minute to put on and protects the interior from fading. I also find it cuts down on interior cleaning significantly. Not to mention cleaner glass.

Dust is the big enemy, its the big culprit in causing tears where the top meets the bows. A weekly stiff stream of water will do you allot of good. No Soap though..
I'm on my second top cover after only one winter. You should see it, the threads were coming apart and the sheen from the cover is completely gone.
But actually, I think the summer is harder on the top than winter due to fewer rain fall and the accumulation of dust.

Perfectlap
Thanks for your lenghty answer and I will follow your advice and get the top that covers the canvass top(like the one the porsche is using in another pic in this thread). It is quite dusty here since I work in an area which there is a cement, concrete plant, asphalt plant around the corner. The other day I bought a Zwiffer to dust of the interior even though now I leave the car closed and with the top up. I bet you in two days the car would be covered indirt & soot. Im sure that that is no good since I know the effect of sand on any kind of structure.
Many thanks!!!!!

ddb · 05-23-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennizxxx

ddb, or anyone who would like to share...

I am currently in the position where I am reconisdering a GAHH top as well...

Couple of questions...

1) Does the top fit perfectly as the OEM one, any rattle noises...etc..??
2) I called a reputable top installer (NO AFFILIATION with porsche) and they mentioned to me that they were less than impressed with the GAHH tops...how does the quality and look compare to the original..?? Is there a difference..?
3) I am aware that for the after market tops, you need to "re-use" some of the screws, strips, etc..how difficult is this and can you purchase this seperately.

thanks

dennizxxx,

Thanks for the compliment.

I haven't heard any (new) rattles or noises since the installation of the top. I think the quality of the fit is a function of the installers workmanship more than anything else, so results will vary. Properly installed the top will look and operate as original. I'm thrilled with mine.

I think the quality is excellent. I chose the higher quality, slightly more expensive material offered. I can't see a difference in the quality. My old top was black and the new one is gray, which complicates the comparison. My installer raved about the GAHH quality and installs a lot of their tops and interior kits. I saw many GAHH boxes and catalogs in his shop. I chose GAHH and then approached him, so he didn't have anything to do with my decision. I guess opinions will vary on quality on a item such as this. I didn't look at other tops nor did I have any experience in this area. Truthfully, they had a glass rear window top, and I could have it in 2 days. Maybe not smart, but hey.....

Sorry I can't help with question #3.

Hope this helps and good luck

ddb

Lux · 05-23-2005, 06:57 PM

That top looks great. Now you pre-'03 guys can enjoy the car without "chopping" the plastic.

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Perfectlap · 05-23-2005, 08:40 PM

actually if you do the chop early on the crease stays in the plastic and you don't have to do it anymore. The key is to lower it a bit slower as the final bend is settling in when you first start lowering the top. I've done the moving top down hack and use it every day. I haven't done the chop in months and I have no dents or sharp creases.
The larger plastic window seem more to my liking it stays crystal clear with Plexus. Although during winter a defrost would be nice! A hardtop will take care of that