convertible tops

I have two questions...

One, what is the best way to clean these tops? Armorall, just plain soap and water? This Speedster I bought is practically brand new. I've put the top up and down a few times and I already see stress marks...I'm sure this is normal...but I just wanted to know if there's a trick to making the tops look a little better?

Also, what do you guys do in the rain, just not drive it? I did not realize how not so air tight these tops are? Rain could get in so easily. Any suggestions?

John, Is your top vinyl or sta-fast cloth? I have a sta-fast cloth top that is tan in color. I've only had to wash it once in the past year. I keep my car in the garage when not driving it. I used oxy-clean powder in warm water and a soft scrub brush....after it dried it looked like new again. You'll have to work at making your car water tight...It's nearly impossible....but you can make it alot better. It really is a fair weather car....I never drive mine if I think it's going to rain.....You will get wet...for sure.

Michael, when hearing his top woes, your statement of "don't give up "rings loud and clear, I can't stop waiting for the IM with roll ups

Thanks for the tip, Michael. I'll try that. It's just got a few stress marks I'd like to get rid of if I take it out somewhere special or something. Most of the time, I think I'll have the top down, so it won't matter much. I also store this in my garage. I put a car cover on it as well.

Is that plexi-glass that they use for the back window and side windows? It sure does scratch easily.

Didn't these used to have roll ups and then they stopped making them for some reason.? I can't imagine why they would stop. I guess some have had roll up windows installed these days?

I put a strip of weather stripping on to top where it meets the windshield as suggested by another speedster owner...works good, kept air and water out.....I'm still having problems with water getting in behind and under the seats as well as moisture on carpet in front of seats.I took back wheels off and filled in where the body meets the frame and under neath also....still need to investigate.

I have the sta-fast cloth top by the way.

John I have the Sta-fast and I bought a kit with two products called Ragg Top that is sold especially for canvas tops. I got it at Mid America Motorworks for somewhere around $19 or $20. One of the products is a spray cleaner which you scrub the top with and rinse with water. You let it dry and then apply a waterproofing product that uses some sort of silicone to keep your canvas watertight. I clean the top once every 6 months. With black ones especially you don't notice the dirt that's in there until you rinse the cleaner off and see that black gunk coming off.....

Thanks Ricardo. I will have to try this.

John,

Regarding your question about roll-up windows: The originals had side curtains much like those in most replicas. A couple of the replica manufacturers offer roll-up windows as either standard equipment or options.

Ah heck, gettin' wet is just part of the "charm", right?

ha ha. Thanks for the info.