Thanks for the information guys! If I'm doing a 3 year lease, is it necessary to put a protectant on the top? Is this stuff available at the local auto parts store?

 

FYI, not only is 303 one of the good products to protect your soft top, but I have had good luck with using it also to clear vinyl rear windows (if they are not so bad they are yellowing). For a cloudy vinyl rear window, I spray on some 303 and spread (not wipe off) with a piece of foam rubber. Then I let it sit for several hours. Then, I wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. Some smudges may remain, which I then remove with Plexus. Using 303, my s2k is now 4 1/2 years old and the top and vinyl rear window both look as new. Moreover, the rear window has remained supple, so as to avoid any cracking.

Hope this helps,
Richard

 

QUIKAG:

Sorry for posting after myself, but I realized the unanswered question --where do you buy 303? For some weird reason, car parts stores don't have it (at least not around here). One source might be your local BOAT dealer. Another is Performanceproducts.com. Maybe some of the sponsors on this board have it. The Plexus I mentioned (a must for vinyl rear windows) isn't carried much by car parts stores either. Your best local bet would be a motorcycle dealer. I think Performanceproducts.com has this as well.

Thanks,
Richard

 

BTW 303 is a brand. They make cleaner AND protectant.

 

jasonw:

I am unfamiliar with the 303 cleaner, but will attempt to find it ASAP. The 303 of which I have spoken is the protectant, with UV protection of SP 40. If their cleaner is anywhere as good as their protectant, it will be easy for me (and all of us) to keep the plastic, vinyl, and leather parts of our cars like new for decades.

Thanks,
Richard

 

http://www.autogeek.net/303vincontop.html

 

I've used 303 for several years on my boats--it's great----it goes on like Armorall but it's much less "slippery" and has a UV protectant in it (Armourall doesn't)
best place to get 303 if you can't find it locally is directly from the manufacturer--(usually the cheapest place)
here's their website :
www.303products.com

 

good thread, I've just ordered the 303 conv. top kit.

 

I first learned about 303 protectant when I bought a vinyl truck bed cover for my then-new 1998 Ford pickup. The manufacturer recommended the use of 303 protectant on this cover, but warned that the two year warranty would be void if I used Armorall. As I had used Armorall on car parts before, I was most curious about this, and called the bed cover manufacturer. I was told that the original Armorall made things quite "slick and greasy and shiny" --- at first. But then, after time, it had the tendency to dry out vinyl, leather, rubber, and such, causing cracks and failure. I was told that 303, on the other hand, actually soaked into and moisturized these materials, while protecting them from drying UV rays. I followed the bed cover manufacturer's advice, and it looks almost as good now, 7 1/2 years later, as when new.

I've added the 303 site to my toolbar, and will soon see what other products they make that will make my life easier, and things I own last longer!

Thanks, much,
Richard