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This is a topic that comes up periodically, generally when we see a wave of new owners. When I got both roadsters, I had to learn about caring for our first rag top cars. I just got some Raggtopp and after washing the car sprayed it on the top and went about my life happy. Little did I know . . .
We got into a raging, high intensity discussion of what was the BEST top treatment. So several of us went off and did research on convertible tops and learned more than we ever wanted to know! 0
I ended up contacting the owner of the company that manufactures the convertible top canvas material and learned a lot from him. They recommend only Raggtopp treatment. But more importantly I learned:
What kills a convertible top is mechanical damage and UV damage
Mechanical damage comes from small particulate matter like sand, which once deposited on the top material is washed INTO the weave of the fabric by water. Thus water repellency is very important. It helps to keep the damaging particles from being washed deep into the fabric where each flexure of the fabric, while driving and certainly when articulating the top, acts to grind through the treads that make up the canvas material. Keeping this matter out of the weave is very important.
UV damage comes from the sun! When ever your top fabric is exposed to direct sunlight, the UV energy is working to break down the structure of the top. Thus UV protection is very important. Good UV protection reflects the incoming energy and prevents or diminishes the damaging affects of direct sunlight.
So, to while both Raggtopp and 303 work equally well, and you will get very good results with either there are factors that may impact your decision.
To clean your top, first flood it with low pressure water. You want to create conditions where high a high volume of water goes down into the weave and LIFTS the particulate matter out of the weave and then carries it off the top where it cant remain trapped and damage the top. You may use a very soft brush to gently work any hard to clear areas but be careful you don't end up working the bad stuff deeper into the weave. The objective is to get as much as you can OUT of the weave. Then you let it dry fully. it needs to be dry for the next step to work properly. After it is dry, you vacuum it. Get your small easy to maneuver shop vac and run it over the weave of the top to PULL out any remaining particulate matter that you can work out of the fabric. Following a good vacuuming, its time to treat the top. I do this in the shade inside the garage. I prefer that the top is cool so the treatment of your choice has time to cure properly and increase its affectivity.
Now, as I have stated I believe that either 303 or Raggtopp will perform well. There are some differences of opinion but I believe the consensus is that once applied both perform their job. I use Raggtopp for one principal reason. It is quick and easy to apply. I don't have to mask the car. All I have to do is make sure the fabric is clean and spray the crap out of the top, let it dry and wipe down the areas around the top with detail spray and I am good to go. Because it is quick and easy to use, I use it more often and the end result is much better for me.
What is important is that you treat your top when it needs it. If you pour a small puddle of water on the top and it soaks into the top, it really needs to be treated. If it beads up and immediately runs off the top, you are probably good to go.:cheers: