I've been reading several posts regarding care for our convertible tops and I think some of them are incorrect. Many refer to a "canvas" or "fabric" top when recommending products. I'm sad to report that our top is actually vinyl!!
I work for the world's largest producer of convertible top fabrics. All of the fabrics we produce are made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic fiber. This type of fiber is extremely UV resistant (particularly black) and will easily hold up for 5 to 10 years of outdoor exposure. This fabric is used on virtually all domestic convertibles along with a long list of European models. The top on the S2k is not made with this fabric.
Last week I met with one of our customers (country's largest convertible fabric combiner) and asked some of their technical staff about the S2k top. They responded that it was a vinyl product from Japan (and complemented their competitor for doing such a good job). The fabric look is achieved via a new embossing technique.
Therefore, using the Porsche top cleaner and 303 Hi Tech Fabric Guard is actually a mismatch. Porsche tops (yes, we make their fabric also) are fabric. Hi Tech Fabric Guard is a great product (we recommend it for retreatment of awning and marine fabrics) but once again it is for fabric.
I'm currently using 303 vinyl protectant on my top. It works well, but will partially wash off (and down your windows!!) during a heavy rain. I'm looking for something else with better performance.
Whatever you decide to use on your top, use it often! Vinyls do not hold up as well as acrylics in outdoor exposure and will require more maintenance. If you like the Porsche cleaner and Fabric Guard then use them. They certainly won't hurt the top, but they may not be giving you the protection that you thought you were getting. Happy car cleaning!!!

[Edited by jcoates1 on 06-03-2001 at 05:45 AM]

 

I had a feeling that the Porsche stuff didn't work with our tops since they are vinyl and not fabric.

I actually use the Meguiars #40 Vinyl Cleaner/Conditioner. It makes the top look really black after I apply it. I haven't experienced problems with it washing off, since I don't drive the car in the rain.

What do you think of using the Lexol Vinylex???

 

This is definately news to me ... any opinions on jcoates1's information? I always though the rop was fabric and have acted accordingly ...

Have fun,
Derek

 

s2ki.com seems to think it is cloth - and everyone (well, almost everyone) seems to be perpetuating this. I am really irritated that Honda wasn't specific about the material in the manual or something to that affect. I have a bottle of P21S bodywork shampoo which (supposedly) works well on both vinyl and cloth. Guess I'll find out when I wash it.

 

I use the P21S Bodywork shampoo on my top for a quick clean. It doesn't seem to leave the top as black as a the Porche top cleaner does.

 

I've used the porsche top cleaner once... it's left the top really clean and black. The thing about the top that makes me believe it's cloth is if you look at it from the inside and feel like... feels like cloth...

but I don't know for sure...

-Shing

 

perhaps some unfortunate who has had their top vandalised might tell us more ...
JM

 

Just got back from the top combiner in Boston. I asked for their recommendation on cleaners and treatments. They do not recommend any type of cleaner or treatment for their vinyl tops! They have a cleaner, but after a little questioning they admitted that it was simply a mild detergent and water. As far as a preservative they don't think it's necessary (just don't use Armor All). I asked about the 303 vinyl spray but they had not tested it.
When asked about the Porsche cleaner and 303 Fabric Guard the response was "It won't hurt, but your just wasting your money."

Shingles,
There is fabric on the inside of the top. Virtually all tops are multi layered with some type of cloth on the inside. Help's the look and w/ noise.

My company has offered to have an acrylic top made for my car. I would love to do it, but it will have to be a custom job (glass window???). I'm going to talk with the top manufacturer in the next week or so to see what may be involved. Who knows, maybe we can get a group buy going.

 

I bought the Porsche soap to wash my top, and while it made it nice and black again, I still couldn't get rid of some of the dirt stains. I'm on my wits end with this one

 

Even though you don't drive in the rain, does it improve the beading noticeably when you wash/rinse your car normally? That is, in the way the top beaded for a couple months from new?