Hi guys!

Just purchased an SRT6 with 25,000 miles on it as a convertible. Previous owner had the roof replaced in March of this year through the company in the UK. Looks fantastic.
I reached out to them and asked about caring instructions for the soft top and they said as it's been treated by the factory it won't need to be treated again for a year.

That being said, how do you care for your top in the meantime? When washing your car do you use the regular car soap on it? Are you supposed to use a special soap for it?

Can you send the car through an automatic car wash or is that not a good idea?

Also, I guess when times comes in a year. How do you maintain the roof? Any products you use and how often?

When there are bird droppings what do you use to get rid of them?

Thanks for any tips.

Nick

 

Great find, what color? I use 303 on my top.

 

My favorite...Graphite, 25,000 miles only garage kept like new. Always been my dream!

I need to look into 303 products. Do you wash the top with that product Everytime you wash your vehicle?

Like I said manufacturer told me to not "treat" it for a year as it was treated from the factory. I just never owned a convertible so I don't know if regular car wash soap would strip the "wax" or whatever substance these tops were treated with and whether it can just be washed with that soap or needs special attention.

 

You can wash with regular car soap; it will be fine. 303 makes a cleaner product if you had tree sap, dried-on bird poop etc., that the car soap did not remove adequately. Be sure you get the 303 top protectant for a fabric top NOT vinyl. You will need to mask off the windows, body and anything else you don't want the repellent on; it comes in a spray bottle. You could also put it in a small plastic bowl and use a paint brush to apply, my approach. Here are the 303 UPC's; Fabric Protectant: 082043006164, Cleaner 082043005402, it may also come in a combo kit.

 

Just ordered!! Thanks. So you can use regular car soap when washing just like a regular roof? I'm assuming just make sure to get it all rinsed off well so nothing adheres to the fabric.
Also was told to not treat it for a year since it came treated from factory and the roof is from March of this year. Gonna follow that, then use the 303 solution and paint brush like you explained. That sounds like the best option.

Are car washes ok sometimes or should be avoided at all cost? I assume if car wash then just regular soap and water wash and not their wax solutions as they would probably not be good for the top? Or does wax not affect the fabric?

 

Yes, you can use regular car soap on the top, just be sure to rinse well. You will know when to retreat when water no longer beads. I usually retreat annually in the spring before the first drive after winter. Car washes are definitely a NO, too much water pressure and I don't want anything to damage paint or top. No wax on the top just 303. Just hand wash, I use Griots garage car soap. You can find at Advance Auto and other online stores.

 

I avoid car washes because of scratching, emblem and lettering coming off and potential water intrusion, especially the trunk area.

 

All good points! So far I have only used water on the top and I recently purchased 303 convertible top cleaner to use every once in a while when the top is dirty.
Early next year will mark the convertible top being a year old, is when I'll start using the 303 coditioner to treat it.