My roadsters never been wet since I've had it. Was wondering how that ragtop will behave in a good rain storm on the interstate. Used to be if you touched the inside of a tent when it was raining you could depend on having a leak right there until it stopped raining. Does the Crossfire top have real rain proof qualities or am I gonna get wet?

 

Mine has been in heavy rain twice, and it couldn't ge much hevier, no problem! The second time while driving I got a droplet or two from the rubber molding - but I think it was because there wasn't a good seal between the rubber and the window. I broght the window down about an inch or two raised it back up and there were no more drops.

 

I must second SVO comments. I've had 2 XF before and now on my 3rd. First two were daily driven all year round - through rain, snow, etc. No issues in rain (or snow melting). Some drops may trickle down on the inside, but lowering and raising the windows usually does the trick.

 

The day I picked mine up I had to drive 6 hours home, and hit a Major rain storm, No problems fromt he top or the where the windows meet the top(that's where I had a problem with my 97 Audi). This car is my daily driver, unless there is snow in the forecast, and have gone thru a lot hard rains - have never had a problem - I have had the carfor a year.

 

I came home from a road trip thru the Canadian Rockies this weekend, Friday and Saturday was great, Sunday was a "PIG", rain for 6 hours .No leaks, drivers side wipper could be better ,but I will apply RAIN-X before the next trip.She handled well in the rain, 60 kph curves read 60 mph, even my wife didn't complain , and that is an understatment

 

My roadster is a daily driver, and I have no issues to report.

 

My '06 roadster, a daily driver, has never had any problems/leaks in the rain.

 

Ditto!!!!!!

 

Super, that gives me great comfort as am ostensibly heading for Indiana after the growing season....thanks guys

 

I live in BC were we are the professionals of rain . In fact there must be at least 30 plus words all to describe different types of rain in BC.
My roadster has never leaked nor be wet on the inside.
I can not say that of any other convertible that I have had.

 

Crossfire's fine in the rain but you might want to consider treating or top to help repel the rain. We did a bit of research and decided to use a product called '303 High Fabric Guard, Water and Stain Repellent' for about $26.

Stuff works amazing. We didn't find it at any of the car shops but check the local marine or awning stores.

First clean the top off. For any bird dropping use a fine brush before wetting to very lightly scrub off. After that wash the top with a little 'Woolite' laundry cleaner diluted in water. It's design for delicates and a very, very mild soap.

Next wipe the top off with a microfiber cloth. Let the top dry throughly and then follow the '303' instructions. Make sure to be careful not to have over spray on the car. It will come off with a little scrubbing but it's easier to be cautious.

After it dries if it ever rains it makes the water bead off. Unfortunately we live downtown with no garage every time it rains it rolls off. Pic attached showing the beading, unfortunately no before pic, just after.

Crossfire_303_applied.jpg

 

Interesting mate and thanks. How long have you had this product on your top? Also, how often do you lower your top to enjoy the sun? I'd be interested to know how this coating affects the creasing of the top while it is down e.g. does it cause the creases to stay longer after the top is back up? The book that came with the car is pretty specific on detergents and bird poop, but they are moot on any kind of scotch guard type chemical...be interested on how the top holds up over time vs a top without the coating ...

 

Ragg Topp fabric top cleaner and protectant is what I use.

Autogeek.net has a good package right now for $31.99 for the kit.

http://www.autogeek.net/racotopcakit.html


Just make sure to mask off windows and painted areas before applying the protectant. Makes the water bead up very well. The cleaner really gets the dirt and grime out really well too. I do this about once a year towards the end of summer / into fall to get ready for the wet winter months.

 

We lower the top every chance we get. We applied it about 2 months ago and have seen no creasing to date.

Forgot to mention that we vacuum the top before wetting too. Use the hand attachment that is sort of like a lint roller (not sure the exact name).

Without the coating our top was dry inside (no leaks) but the fabric was more absorbent on the outside. With the '303' it beads together like the photo, repelling the water.

The other day it rained and then cleared up and I wanted the top down in my travels. So I grabbed a micro fibre cloth, wiped the beads up and two minutes later the top was virtually dry. Top down and off I went.

Noticed someone mentioned RaggTopp and it's endorsed by the manufacturer (Haartz) of the fabric. I would have tried that but we couldn't locate it and I didn't want to wait for shipping.

I believe Haartz makes the fabric for the Crossfire. You can maybe learn more there.

Hope that helps.

 

The dealership applied a teflon coating to the vehicle and top - it really looks good but I could get the same body effect with wax. However it repels water nicely and protected the top on my last trip when some big birds used it for target practice.

Observation: Driving in rain with the top down. Driver stays dry, but rear windscreen gets some spatter. Most annoyingly, the windshield wiper on the driver side deposits the water in such a way that is rolls across the driver window, then the windstream takes it up and over to the inside of the window. Driver still dry, but water is running down the inside of the window.