I don't see a thread for aftermarket soft top care.

Lets all share what we use to keep soft top clean and protected from damage and fading !

 

Aftermarket is a vague term. Either way, you take care of it the same way you would for any other top. If it's vinyl, you use the stuff for vinyl. If it's cloth, you use the other stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TapwHkRLBI

 

Since we're supposed to be sharing, what do you use? I missed that when I read your post.

 

The only stuff I'll use is Raggtop vinyl cleaner and protectant kit on my S2000 top. My top looks like new after ten years, the previous owner used it and I've continued using it. Some guys use 303 Aerospace which is a good product but it can tend to run off in the rain, Raggtop tends to bead water from what I've seen on my car.

 

I used the vinyl Aerospace 303 for my top. Like Jfusion said it can run off in the rain, but from my experience heavy rain causes the run off. Either one works great though. My top has zero signs of wear, fade, or tears.

 

The top on my '09 seemed to be a bit faded. I could tell the last owner didn't use any type of protectant. I used some Raggtop I bought about 5 years ago, but didn't seem to do anything. Does this stuff have a short shelf life?

I ended up picking up some 303, and it made the top look great.

 

I'll let you know if I get an aftermarket top.

 

You're not looking at all then. There are countless threads recommending 303 and Raggtopp. Both are excellent choices.

Neither product is designed to address fading. Those products are for cleaning and protection. If you want to undo fading you'll need to look into an appropriate product.

 

^ as he said. Some products may give you more of a wet look but that is usually short lived. Raggtop definitely doesn't change the appearance of the top , it will just give you a clean look and offer good protection against the elements. A faded top will still look faded with this product.

I know someone that used Back to Black fom Mothers, and they liked the look of the top with that product, I don't think it protects much but it might give you a better appearance. If you like the look of 303 keep using it, it is a great product but you might just have to apply it more often ?

 

I know 303 has a UV blocker so that will help slow down fading over a long period of time. I'm sure raggtopp has UV protection as well. You have to be proactive and keep up on it. I clean and protect my top about once a month, but my s2k is not a daily so YMMV.