Cover for Speedster Convertible Top ?

ALWAYS KEPT MY JPS SPEEDSTER AND COUPE COVERED. WOULD USE A CALIFORNIA CAR COVER DUSTER TO DUST IT AND THEN COVER IT. NEVER HAD ANY SCRATCH ISSUES. EVEN IN MY GARAGE IT WAS COVERED. HAD A CALIFORNIA WATER PROOF CAR COVER FOR OUTSIDE VERY LIGHT WEIGHT AND A COSTCO CHEAP CAR COVER FOR THE GARAGE

 

Have you considered putting the top down and sealing it up with a full tonneau?  I only use my top if caught out in the rain.  The full tonneau was one of the best things that I added to the build,

Z - as Tom mentioned, I keep my full tonneau in place with split zippered sections folded behind the seats while driving. When parked, I pull the zipper sections into place and keeps the interior (and contents) out of site, and keeps seats cooler from direct sunlight.

 

I've also seen a top cover as you're looking for. It's basically a cover in the same dimensions/contour as the convertible top with bungee straps that hook onto the wheel wells at each corner. Maybe Google for it?

To add to Jim's point, unless I have a passenger, I drive around with only the driver's side unzipped.  Less work & when there's a nip in the air, it holds the heat in some.

Ditto what the other have said, but to add one thing, I use car covers that have flannel

on the inside when their stored in the garage..the car should be relatively clean of course, but for inside their perfect....the cover I use outside is parachute material, which is so lightweight that it barely touches the car, and I use  it more for camoflage (sp) than to keep the car clean ......

But thats me....

 

 

Any suggestions on car covers. Is a california cover the way to go and if so which model. My tub is garaged and just need to keep dust and kid finer prints off it. 

Joe, IMHO a california cover is overkill for a garaged car.  I dust my car off with a california car duster & sometimes wipe down with detailing spray while engine is getting warmed up.  I bought a cheap cover for winter storage from the local auto parts store.

Z, you are obviously out of your frickin' mind. You need to cover a car that's inside a garage? But you're afraid of scratching it?

 

Don't ever drive it now, old boy! That'd sure mess it up!

 

Now anyway, turns out there is a product made especially for your ilk: http://www.carcapsule.com/

 

Shouldn't be too tough to get ye self a flatbed with a good inverter and mobilize that rig. Ya know, so you can go cruisin' with the car still sealed in the bubble.

MY 2 CENTS ON THIS IS THAT WITH A COVERED CAR U WASH TWICE A YEAR

 

folks,

 

thanks for the feedback,

 

I have omitted to mention that the car is BLACK and that the manufacturer told me that using a California Duster is a no - no.

 

 

The car is in a common garage and I have construction next door...so all elements are there: potential for scratches, hand prints, dust etc....

 

 

so not too sure how I can use a full cover on a daily basis....thought a partial one covering the top would do...

 

did anybody on this forum use a car capsule ? my building management would probably not allow...

 

 

Thanks Again

Z

 

Note for Gerd: I saw the pics of your blue coupe (beautiful by the way) - but what is the color of your speedster?

 

thanks again

 

z

 

 

 

WAIT U HAVE JPS SPEEDSTER AND JOHN TOLD U NOT TO USE A CAL DUSTER?

ILL CALL HIM IN THE MORNING AND EDUCATE HIM

WAS BLUE ALSO

PICS ARE ON THIS SITE

 

congrats Gerd - amazing car !

Z

I never cover my car and it has over 18,000miles on it.  I picked it up new from Vintage in late 2007 and in the nearly 5 years I have had it, I have only actually washed it with soap and water about 4 times (maybe 5).

My theory is that washing it is bad for the paint, especially if you can't get the water off before it dries.

My process is this.  Since the car does not have a choke and needs to warm up for a minute or so before driving, I start it, back it out of the garage, go over it with a California Duster (takes about 1 minute), I sometimes use a wet towel on the windshield, wheels (or front end if there are a lot of bugs), I get any other spots off with a Mother's detailer and microfiber cloth, hop in, put on a SEG and drive away.  If I'm heading to a show or somewhere special, I will spend about an hour with the Mother's detailer and maybe once per year I will wax it.  That's it.

The only time I ever cover my car is if it has to be outside overnight, like at Pismo or Morro.

I don't know, Troy, that kinda borders on neglect........

Does my car look neglected?

Z,

 

Go to the local fabric store and look for something you like that will let the car breathe, keep out dust and not scratch the paint.  Plenty of colors to choose from so you can get as conservative or wild as you want to.  You can just lay a piece over the car or sew a more fitting cover.  My wife sewed a cover for one of my cars using red (for a red car) muslin.   

Is there any risk associated with using a quick detailer in large quantities (such as a Maguiars QD) to take the dust off, just before putting the cover on? Obviously concerned with scratches, discoloration etc

 

 

Thanks folks for the great advice

Z

My routine is exactly the same as Troy's, but I'm kinda lookin' for an excuse to repaint :-)  Seriously though, driving in good weather, dusting it off during warm up, and periodically wiping down with instant detailer keeps Natalie looking great.  At the beginning of the season, I do the clay bar, wax routine.  I just got a detailing DVD for my birthday from Griot's.  Now I'm pumped up to buy a better buffer and use their products next spring.

Z-

 

There's plenty of good advice on here regarding caring for and covering your Speedy. I learn something new every time I visit this site. As with anything concerning your car, do whatever satisfies your personal preference and peace-of-mind.

 

FWIW - I've had my VS for 15 years, use it as a daily driver and logged 85,000 enjoyable and relatively trouble-free miles with basic care and minimum fuss. So far, so good...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSBJIM : your car looks brand new, iconic pics too !!

MUSB doing something right.

Joe I cover my car because I just don't trust the wife and kids.  You know what I mean things like bikes, toys, landscaping equipment.  Better safe than sorry.  I have washed my car only two times since it was delivered March 2nd.  3000 miles so far.  The new spray wash and speed shine products do magic in between washes.  The indoor California car cover fits perfect.  The quality is first rate and it's very soft.

Marty, your must have a cover made out of Kevlar :-)

Tom its a psyche thing. When they see it covered they seem to be more careful.

Marty, ever read "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut?  You just need to make an example out of one of them :-)

I have washed my car once since May and hooked on Griots products. My kids are fine as they are used to it their friends however think it's a place to put their hands all over. If I go california car cover is it best to call them or just order online.

 

Marty found the cafe macchiato's 1/2 brother, what can you tell me about the german square weave carpet and haartz top. What a great look. 

 

http://cars.trovit.com/index.p...id./referer_id.1/t.1 

Marty - maybe you should cover your wife & kids! Well, maybe NOT Sandy, but the kids, at least!

LOL Jim.  Joe, my top and interior are darker brown.  That color is VW Harvest Moon beige, also a different color.  Nice car for sure, but it has a little peepee engine.    The carpet in my car is called Honey Brown.  It nice, but its expensive.  Its real wool and it is told to smell like a dog if it gets wet.  Henry does not like his cars to be built with the synthetic stuff.  For a non IM, SAS, or JPS Coupe car, I would go Synthetic.  The Haartz top is the only way to go if you change the top.  I think Lane upgraded his.  

Yup, and it was worth the hassle of installing the new top.

Ok so 1/2 brother from the shallow end of the gene pool.

 

Lane did you also go wtih Haarz tonneau cover(s) and did you order from Carey. thx. 

Joe. Sorry if I came of snobby.  Not my intention. It's very close to my colors.  I agree its the Speedster version of my car.

My paint was color sanded 3 years ago and it turned out like a showroom fresh paint job.

I never felt I was doing my paint a favor to not wash it with a high quality car wash product and drying it with a chamois. It seems that using the detail sprays is just sanding the finish with whatever dust and dirt that's on the car rather than lifting the dirt off with a heavy sudsy

wash.

 

The claybar treatment is another good practise at least once a year.  If you think you washed all the dirt off your paint, rub your fingers accross it after claying---if you've never done it you will be amazed at how clean the paint surface is.  Then polish and wax.

 

My car gets a cover when in the garage like some others because there is a lot of dirt and dust flowting around in there.  The only trouble with covering the car is that you can't see it!

 

I wonder how MUSBJIM cleans his car---it has high miles but looks brand new!

 

"Little peepee engine"  that's a good one. Been there, done that, got scared a lot.

Actually was screwing with you Marty.  I love your carpet and the darker color of your interior and agree your IM is the best I have ever seen. Was really wondering if the german square weave would work in a Beck, but sounds like a bad idea as I don't like wet dogs.

SNOB SNOB SNOB

Joe - I got the top and boot from Carey, but I kept my original canvas tonneau cover.  Be advised that putting a new top on a Beck is quite a bit more involved than on a Vintage, JPS, or pretty much anything else, because it is semi-permanently affixed at the rear.  You can certainly do it yourself, but it will be a bit messy, and not an afternoon affair.

I have both the stay fast top and tonneau.  I had the standard tonneau and after one year it was very faded.  Carey made me a new one out of stay fast and it's excellent.

Lane--congratulations on getting the new top on.  I am very damned impressed and don't think I could tackle that!  Especially on a beck whicgh has a far more intricate top for wx protection than some others.  I'll have to take a look when we're in the Smokies!