Soft top prep before putting on hardtop

W

Wax2max

New member
I'm looking for suggestions on how I should prep the soft top on my car before using the detachable hardtop. I would typically like to use the hardtop in the hot summer months and the soft top during spring, fall & winter (Florida car just in case it needed to be said).



Car: 2002 Toyota MR-2 Spyder



Soft top material - Haartz says they don't make it, it has a pebble finish and is definitely some sort of vinyl or vinyl like material.



Local Toyota dealer is worthless as the hardtop is not a US option (must order from JDM supplier.



Barring a logical suggestion I expect to clean the top, put on some 303 (or similar), fold it carefully, and put on the hardtop.



Also would be open to suggestions on how often I should remove the hardtop and put up the soft top. This is the first time I ever owned a vinyl top, all my previous convertible experience has been with canvas.



and of course tia, Lee
 
You're pretty much on the right track. My experience is with RaggTopp, which makes excellent products for both vinyl and fabric tops. So, if you're sure your top is vinyl, then:

1. Clean the top good and condition it with a vinyl conditioner.

2. Clean the back window good.

3. Put a clean towel over the back window and carefully put the top down, making sure the towel stays in place so that the plastic/glass doesn't fold inward upon itself. As the top is folding down, make sure it is as crease-free as possible.

4. Put your hard top on.

Your convertible top should be good for months. If your hard top isn't that hard to remove/replace, take it off a couple of times between, say, May and September, and check the soft top. It should be okay. This worked for me with my last 'Vette and I live in Tampa.



______________________

E-Jag
 
I use Renovo Vinyl Cleaner and then Vinyl Ultra proofer. I'd say if you go with something similiar you should be fine. I actually rarely use the Vinyl cleaner as my top stays pretty clean as I wash the car (an MX-5) pretty much every week.



Sorry can't advise you on how often to put the soft top up as I don't have a hardtop. You might want to try the UK MR2 forum. http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/
 
thanks to you both.



derekz, I'm a member there, as well as on Spyderchat (the US equivalent). I will ask. Not to demean my fellow MR2 forum members, but I just thought there might be a wider experience base here.
 
I have a Miata. I use Duragloss #301 on my vinyl top. It's the best product I have used in 5 years of ownership.
 
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