Kappabrella

[jrarant]

Has anyone purchased a Kappabrella? I was wondering if it would keep the interior cooler than putting the top up?

[akinmb]

I bought one in anticipation of getting my car back in December... I haven't taken it out of the box... I just don't anticipate ever using it. If you're interested, make me an offer.

[keiffer6]

Looking at the install instructions it seems to me that you might as well put the top up. Seems like you are doing as much work putting this on as you would putting the top up.

[SpecRaceM5]

keiffer6: I do agree, if you are looking for something quick, it would be just as quick to put the top up. One reason many people have gone with the Kappabrella is that they don't have to put the top up. It sounds strange at first, but by leaving the top in the trunk you protect it from sun damage and wear from moving up and down. Now that may seem silly, but if you look at a convertable that is say 10 years old and see how ratty the top can get, it is deffinitely nice to have a solution to save you some top life. The Kappabrella is deffinitely not for everyone, but for some it's a life saver! For their top anyways.

Cheers,

Brian

[keiffer6]

Originally Posted by SpecRaceM5

keiffer6: I do agree, if you are looking for something quick, it would be just as quick to put the top up. One reason many people have gone with the Kappabrella is that they don't have to put the top up. It sounds strange at first, but by leaving the top in the trunk you protect it from sun damage and wear from moving up and down. Now that may seem silly, but if you look at a convertable that is say 10 years old and see how ratty the top can get, it is deffinitely nice to have a solution to save you some top life. The Kappabrella is deffinitely not for everyone, but for some it's a life saver! For their top anyways.

Cheers,

Brian

Thanks for explaining Brian. I can see what you are saying. It definitely is a neat idea.

[Gunny's GXP]

Another plus is if you have a black top it will absorb heat into the vehicle while the brella being a silver will refelct the heat and keep it cooler inside. Plus the top up does not protect the dash from direct sun light damage. So now your putting the top up and setting the sun shield in the window.

[keiffer6]

All good points that I had not thought about.

Please don't think I was cutting the product down saying it wasn't worth anything. I just wasn't sure why you would use it rather than put the top up. The install of it seemed like it would take just as long as putting the top itself up.

[jrarant]

Originally Posted by Gunny's GXP

Another plus is if you have a black top it will absorb heat into the vehicle while the brella being a silver will refelct the heat and keep it cooler inside. Plus the top up does not protect the dash from direct sun light damage. So now your putting the top up and setting the sun shield in the window.

This is what I needed to know. I live in Columbia, SC where the heat index can get to be well over 110 during the summer. Talk about a hot seat and steering wheel after the car has been baking in the sun for even 30 minutes. My top will be black again, but the seats will be tan. I am looking for anything that will protect my Sky and my skin at the same time.

One more question. Is this something that I could leave attached in the trunk and just roll it up when I am driving or does it need to be pulled all the way off? I am just trying to think of some time savers.

[Sierra Shark]

Originally Posted by SpecRaceM5

keiffer6: I do agree, if you are looking for something quick, it would be just as quick to put the top up. One reason many people have gone with the Kappabrella is that they don't have to put the top up. It sounds strange at first, but by leaving the top in the trunk you protect it from sun damage and wear from moving up and down. Now that may seem silly, but if you look at a convertable that is say 10 years old and see how ratty the top can get, it is deffinitely nice to have a solution to save you some top life. The Kappabrella is deffinitely not for everyone, but for some it's a life saver! For their top anyways.

Cheers,

Brian

Just orderd one Tuesday and got my shippment info today. Looking forward to having it. We live where the sun shines everyday and it's really hot. The car can sit in the parking lot for 8 hours at a time. And besides, I'm as lazy as the next guy. I don't want to hassle with the top if I don't have to. That's one of the reasons for owning a convertable. Because this cover is silver and air can circulate through it, it should keep things cooler and help protect the leather. I'll post the results after it arrives and I've had a chance to use it. If it holds up here, it will hold up any place on earth.

Brian is right about your top lasting longer with less sun rot. When your top in stowed the fabric remains loose and doesn't get streched out as quickly as having the top up all the time. I have another convertable and when I store it during the winter I leave the top down. It's 9 years old now and it still looks like brand new. No fading, no fade lines, no ripped fabric.

Hey Brian, still out there? How's the work coming along on a luggage rack for cars with spoilers? SORRY!

[akinmb]

I park in a secured garage at both home and work, so the kappabrella has ended up not being that useful for me. Again, if anyone's interested...I've never taken it out of the box.

[SpecRaceM5]

This is one of those products that I take no affense to when people don't see the purpose. I was a little unsure myself when we first started working on the Kappabrella. There was another good point that Gunny's GXP mentioned about it covering the windshield. I would say it will keep the interior a little cooler for a few reasons. One it covers the windshield. Two the material breathes so heat can escape easier then with the top up and windows up. And three, when you remove the Kappabrella to get in the car it will release the head instantly. With the top you would have to get into the car to put the top down in order to get the same affect.

Luggage rack should be mid to late July!

And you can leave it attached from what I recall wich saves time in putting it back up and protects the top from rubbing on the trunk lid!

Cheers,

Brian

[lostcause]

Reading the description on the website, it doesn't look like it will keep rain out will it?

[SpecRaceM5]

Depending on how you have it installed, it might keep out a light drissle, but it's not made to keep out a hard rain. It is the same material as our weathershield cover so it is weather resistant.

Brian

[Mad4MySky]

This would be something worth considering. How hard is it to put on and take off and what is the time for doing the same?

[JRinKY]

I was impatient, and made an interior cover before Kappsphere released theirs for sale. I therefore have no experience with the Kappabrella specifically, but I am absolutely a supporter of the concept.

I have found that, with practice, I can put the cover on a bit faster than putting the top and the windows up. And, as mentioned, using the cover saves wear and tear on the top and windows, and keeps the sun off of the dashboard and the top.

If your car stays outside on sunny days, this is a great idea.

[xmicro_Redline]

It is great for putting your car away or parking and you have the windscreen that you have to take out to put the top up. I may have to get one!!

[Sierra Shark]

Originally Posted by Mad4MySky

This would be something worth considering. How hard is it to put on and take off and what is the time for doing the same?

Well I got my cover today and tried it on the car while at home for lunch. At noon today it was 104 F. After the initial fit and adjustments I found I could take it from the bag to fully installed in about a minute and half. Even my wife could do it that quickly and she not very mechanically inclinde.

As far a heat is concerned, I left the car in the sun for an hour. Took off the cover and climbed in the seat. It was warm but not hot and the steering wheel was the same. After that I just left the hooks in place and pulled it back over the top of the folded roof. Makes the next time I use it even faster.

Great product. Meets all the manufactures claims.

[Mad4MySky]

Sweet! I'll be ordering one post haste!

I see you're from Bishop. I used to live in Ridgecrest and still visit often as my brother still lives there. Maybe I'll cruise on up once my baby arrives.