Convertible water tightness

[Rogues Gambit]

Sounds promising! It's my first convertible, so not sure what to expect. When I was closing the deal with the finance guy back in May, he told me his last convertible (a Mercedes no less) leaked each time it rained. And last December when we had a lot of rain here, I noticed some folks covered their convertibles (including an older Mustang) with a tarp. Was hoping I wouldn't have to worry about it this winter.

Believe me, if a Mk1 TT with the convertible top bones exposed could keep you dry, then a 2016 Mustang would be the same

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[mikef523]

Absolutely no leaks. Granted, I am in So Cal and rain is scarce, but we have had some. Plus, I wash the car at a high pressure self wash and nary a drop inside yet.

As for products on the top...upon advise by an experienced upholster who does convertible tops for a living, nothing but H20 baby! Never any soap or products on the fabric and it will last the longest. Now, I'm not in the snow and ice either, but. He also highly suggests putting the top up every night, not leaving it down for too long a stretch. I used to leave my 2000 Vert's top down from about March to Christmas, but it was vinyl. I'm putting this one up at night.

I use soap specifically for autos when I wash my Stang. So, Do you think it is a bad idea to soap up the vert top when I wash it? Will it affect its ability to repel water? I keep it in the garage, and it is typically not my DD, and I rarely drive it when it is raining. No leaks at all, and I would like to keep it that way.

 

[Rough Hollow Man]

After having many convertibles through the years, some with vinyl and many with cloth, I believe that the secret to keeping them looking great is to making sure to GETTING ALL THE AUTO SOAP OFF after washing. And you must remove bird droppings pronto...that crap stains! Good Luck all.

 

[DaleH]

mines not leaking, that being said I don't drive in the rain if I can avoid it and keep it garaged in bad weather, I have a second vehicle that stays parked outside and since it'll get wet in the rain anyway whether I drive it or not I drive it instead.

Go ahead and put Aerospace 303 fabric protector on the roof, that stuff works. Water beads and beads and doesn't soak into the fabric

Make sure the roof is absolutely dry before lowering the top otherwise you'll be lowering water into the whole contraption

I'd second the use of 303 Fabric Guard. This is my first convertible and I applied this stuff with a paint brush (rather than spraying and risk overspray on the paint). Really gives that added level of protection.

 

[MagneticMan]

I use soap specifically for autos when I wash my Stang. So, Do you think it is a bad idea to soap up the vert top when I wash it? Will it affect its ability to repel water? I keep it in the garage, and it is typically not my DD, and I rarely drive it when it is raining. No leaks at all, and I would like to keep it that way.

I dont put soap on my top but don't freak if I get some on. The 303 aerospace kit has soap for a deep cleaning, once the repellent is on it'll repel water, so just use the hose to rinse it off

 

[Starman]

the Stang has the same top material as the S2000 and Miata. You guys should visit those sites and look to see whet they have used and how it held up over the past 20-15-10 years.

I had 3 S2000's and I never did anything special to my top and there never as much talk about doing anything more then washing it by hand with normal soap.

 

[altjx]

People have told me in the past that they've known verts to leak, but I've never experienced this with mine thus far.

 

[Rob00GT]

No leaks here. In my book the best way to preserve the top is to park it indoors when not in use. In the years ahead the sun will do more damage than you think.

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