Hello, I have applied 303 high tech fabric guard to my top a couple of times now. When I have washed the car the following week, the water does not bead up at all. I think I am really laying on enough product, but I have to admit that I am nervous about getting the fabric guard on the back window and the paint.
I'm wondering how the rest of you apply the fabric guard and remove the over spray.

 

I used Raggtop, but I masked everything - such a PITA that I consider it a once-a-year thing.

 

I use 303 and BRUSH it on instead of spraying. Make sure I use overlapping strokes and get it good and wet (use a lot of product). Works GREAT.

In my experience, the top will repel water a lot longer than the back of the roof... it gets so nasty back there with road dust in the weave of the fabric, that it seems to negate the water repellency of the 303 - but I think it's still protecting from UV, etc.

 

Blimey, what kind of brush do you use for this?

 

+1 on what Blimey said. I have sprayed it a few times, but by far brushing it on is more controlled and you get more of the product worked into the weave. I just use a stiff paint brush. BTW, products like the 303 work better the hotter the temp they can cure in. So apply in direct sun on a warm day and it will be optimal. I do my top twice a year; spring and fall.

 

Yeah, what he ^ said.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone. I can't wait to try the brush application.

 

The back of the car doesn't get near the level of UV load that the top does because of several factors: the different angle to the sun; the fact that the car is always facing a different direction, etc. As you mentioned the dirtier the back of the car gets the worse it repels water. But the same dirt is also blocking UV rays, so from that perspective it is another advantage.

On a different but related topic is there any concern with putting the top down with the back being dirty, or wet for that matter? Can this damage anything? I'm pretty **** about keeping Nilla clean, but it seems like every time I drive the car there is a new level of grime on the back of the her.

 

The only thing I can think of that putting the top down while dirty MIGHT hurt: the rear window may get some scratches. In fact, mine has some pretty healthy scratches in it now - but I have no idea whether they got there by themselves, or whether I did it when wiping off the rear window at some point (more likey, I think).

Everything I've read suggests you should NOT put the top down while wet... and I try not to... if I do, I make sure I don't store it with the top down when wet - put it back up when it's in the garage to let it dry out...

 

Is 303 better than Raggtopp?

 

I use RaggTopp, but it's probably all the same. Don't worry about overspray getting on the windows or paint. I just quickly wipe it off when I'm done - I usually use a quick detailer product on the paint, and glass cleaner on the glass. Very simple. Been doing this for years, on the MINI and my Z4. Although the brush idea sounds tempting...

Of course it is annoying to spray, wipe off, let dry, spray, wipe off, let dry, etc, but... oh well.

I've also never really worried about putting the top down when it's wet. As long as you don't leave it down for days I don't think its an issue.

I'm surprised to hear about scratched rear windows. It's glass. A little dirt or dust should not scratch it. Again, my car can get pretty dusty and even muddy where I am and the top and window get dirty; but I put the top down all the time like that and so far never have scratched it.

 

Yeah, I'm surprised, too - but I've heard of others having the same problem with MINIs. Wasn't a problem with my last convertible (also with a glass window)...

 

Do you keep your car in the garage with the top down? Being new to the vert scene for only a couple of (colder) months I never would have thought to do that. My car gets dirty just sitting in the garage, which could be CO thing, but I would have thought keeping the top up when not in use will keep the inside clean longer.

 

Yep - if it's warm enough to drive top-down, my top stays down in the garage. I'm sure it gets a *little* dustier inside that way, but doesn't seem to be a problem for me... I just have to dust/interior detail every week or two, anyway...

 

Can someone explain to me what a Cabrio is. I just purchased a new 2008 Chilli Red 6Speed Convertible S Model Mini What is it? Newbie here!!! Hayman4353

 

"Convertible" and "Cabrio" are used interchangeably when it comes to MINIs.

As far as putting the top down while wet, I follow the owner's manual guidelines - it's okay to put it down while wet, just don't leave it down for more than 24 hours. I'll often put the top down and go for a drive right after washing the car, but I park outside overnight, so at the end of the day, the top's always back up.

I haven't had any problems with the back glass getting scratched, but I have a sticker on the bottom third of my back window that's gotten rubbed/dirty from the fabric resting against it with the top down.

As for the treatment, I use RaggTopp twice a year, but I'm probably going to try 303 once just to see how I like it.

 

Glad this got ressurected as the weather is almost conducive and I'm rapidly approaching my first top treatment. What do you guys do to your top prior to treating it? Anything beyond a normal rinse and dust off?

 

Short for Cabriolet,

AKA Convertible,

AKA Vert.

 

I use a feathered wheel brush and some 303 Fabric Cleaner and scrub it down. Then rinse and let it dry. Before putting the 303 Fabric Guard on I use a lint roller and then just paint the stuff on in direct sunlight.
I'll probably wait another month before doing this to my replacement top. Give the sun a chance to get nice and hot.

 

Yeah, I clean mine with 303 Aerospace cleaner... the only REALLY good washing my top gets is right before I treat it... Wash it well with 303 cleaner, rinse well, put it in the sun to dry. When it's very dry, I apply 303 Fabric Guard.

 

Thanks for the education,I must have a Cabriolet,because I have a convertbile. Where is the best place to pick the top dressing you all are talking about? Bill

 

I ordered the Raggtop kit (cleaner and protectant) sold by Detailers Paradise (among others). Today was the day.

Here's before:



I cleaned with a cheap flow through car care brush from Target and plenty of Raggtop cleaner. It looked white and soapy but not big and sudsy. The yellow pollen spots came off. Rinsed off easily. My cheap brush did leave linty residue which I removed fairly easily with a cat hair/lint roller sticky tape thing. I gave it three coats over about three hours in the nice warm sun.

A breeze or two sent some of the spray onto the windows, but I cleaned it off quickly.

I didn't wet down the top to see my results. I thought the "before" looked pretty good so I'm curious about the "after." I, like the rest of South Texas, anxiously look forward to our next rainy day.

 

All good stuff, thanks gents. Very similar process between you except for the difference between 303 Fabric Cleaner and 303 Aerospace Cleaner. I assume either are acceptable. I already have the Aerospace cleaner and if I don't need to buy another product all the better. Do you paint the cleaner on like the treatement or spray on from the bottle?

 

The cleaner is all the same stuff... just packaged differently.

Cleaner works fine to spray on, then agitate (that's how I do mine, too)... no need to brush it on...though I don't know whether it will strip wax if you get it on the paint.. I always do the top before I'm getting ready to re-wax, so it won't matter if some top stuff gets on the paint.

 

As Saltwater Blimey (the pirate of NC) says the Fabric Cleaner and the Aerospace Cleaner are one and the same except for dilution. Cut the Aerospace Cleaner by 10 and it will be the same. As for wax - Epic is immune to the Cleaner; carnauba will come right off.
BTW, I use a brush to scrub because the boot end of the top gets so gnarly it brings to mind the scurvy of pirate scum.