Is the cabrio roof supposed to bead water? - Page 3

Padawan · 07-03-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

I had planned to treat mine Spring and Fall. Now, I'm baffled as to why my roof is different from almost everyone else's, and am not sure what I should do. Several of y'all have said it's nothing to worry about if it isn't leaking. But, I don't like that it doesn't bead anway. Just doesn't seem healthy.

I would try several different products. To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing applied to the fabric from the factory, since it's synthetic and not canvas. It certainly doesn't sound as if you received some sort of "defective" top, so just experiment until you find a protectant that provides the results you're after. Raggtopp is good and well-known (sort of like the Mobil 1 of top care), but there are definitely others and each has slightly different properties and results.

Periclaws · 07-03-2009, 07:13 AM

info@wolfsteins.com

The Rigger · 07-03-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headless

Ahhhh, the sun, we had that once here too, back in the heatwave of 1984, it was visible behind a layer of light cloud for 15 minutes, pheeeewww what a scorcher that was

So John Lucas does the sunlight in England too?

The Rigger · 07-03-2009, 07:28 AM

NCC: For what it's worth, my top doesn't bead water either.

NCC1701 · 07-03-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

Does it not bead after a constant rain or does it not bead when dry, then splashed?

I haven't tried 'splashing' it. Like a light sprinkle from a garden hose? I don't know. But, so far as a normal rain shower which would wet the ground, or a normal rinse when washing the car ... no beading, just wet surface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

I would try several different products. To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing applied to the fabric from the factory, since it's synthetic and not canvas. It certainly doesn't sound as if you received some sort of "defective" top, so just experiment until you find a protectant that provides the results you're after. Raggtopp is good and well-known (sort of like the Mobil 1 of top care), but there are definitely others and each has slightly different properties and results.

When you say the fabric is synthetic ... does that mean canvas with some kind of polymer coating, or the fabric itself is some kind of synthetic fiber? Maybe the roof needs the treatments which are designed for vinyl roofs??

Someone suggested a visit to a marine store for a suggestion for waterproofing treatment.

Can anyone explain the fact that some here report their tops have repelled water from day one without treatment, and others don't ... before or after treatment? Doesn't that seem peculiar to anyone else? Someone may say it doesn't matter. Some don't have any curiosity.

BELJO · 07-03-2009, 02:22 PM

Got my 2009 Brabus Cabrio in March. I have never owned a convertible before so I did a little reseach as to its care. The smart cabrio as you know has a fabric top as opposed to vinyl. RAGG TOPP convertible top Cleaner and Fabric Protectant did a great job. All I do now is hose off the top and dry with a dark colored towel so as to not leave lint. It always looks great and beads water. Just be sure to follow the directions for thsy warn it can be harmful to the paint.
My top never beaded water before treatment.

NCC1701 · 07-03-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BELJO

RAGG TOPP convertible top Cleaner and Fabric Protectant did a great job. All I do now is hose off the top and dry with a dark colored towel so as to not leave lint. It always looks great and beads water. Just be sure to follow the directions for thsy warn it can be harmful to the paint.

Please read post #1 in this thread. If RaggTopp had done the trick for me, I wouldn't have started this thread. Thanks anyway, glad it worked for you.

Padawan · 07-03-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

When you say the fabric is synthetic ... does that mean canvas with some kind of polymer coating, or the fabric itself is some kind of synthetic fiber? Maybe the roof needs the treatments which are designed for vinyl roofs??

The outer layer is "polycyclic fabric", which is a synthetic weave. Canvas tops are normally some sort of treated cotton blend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Someone suggested a visit to a marine store for a suggestion for waterproofing treatment.

That's a good suggestion. Protectants for marine fabric tops would be a good choice, and are often less expensive than the boutique automotive top care products.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Can anyone explain the fact that some here report their tops have repelled water from day one without treatment, and others don't ... before or after treatment? Doesn't that seem peculiar to anyone else? Someone may say it doesn't matter. Some don't have any curiosity.

My guess is that it's a combination of factors such as how much water is hitting the top (a bit of rain, or a soaking, or something in between), as well as how long the car was exposed to the elements before delivery, the way the car is washed, if it's garaged, etc.

Today, for example, I washed All Ball and the flat portion of the top beaded up, but the sides and back surrounding the window were exposed to more water for more time, which saturated them to the point where it was not beading at all.