cab owners - when do you put your hard top on?

not sure whether to put some proofing on the soft top and leave the hard top off for another few weeks or put it on and suffer when the indian summer arrives? what do others do and what about the proofing idea, anybody got any views on a decent one to use to keep the hood looking good, anybody tried renovo water proofer - i read good reviews about it but i'm nervous to try it out in case i make a lash up of it. cheers, Craig

I used renovo on my old cab - works brilliantly, easy to apply. Buy the cleaner, some paint brushes, and the proofer. And then have a word with yourself for wanting to put the hardtop on. Unless its raining, top down and heater on! Edited: Buy the cleaner, a shoe brush, the proofer and a paint brush.

I usually treat my roof in the spring, but didnt this year so I am in the same situation as you. Go to the trouble of treating it then fold it away for 6 months to see the fold lines show through again next spring. As the previous poster said, there is no time limit to putting the hard top on, nothing better than belting around with the heaters on full and the wind deflector up. I sometimes wonder if the 911's you see for sale without a hard top is because the owners sold them on rather than have them hang in the garage for years..........Anyone want to buy a speed yellow hard-top?

If you're down in the south, then this week you won't have to put your hardtops on as we are apparently getting up to 24C. If you live in Scotland, then you'll need to fit your snowchains. ~ Maxie

I had the hardtop on my 996 and used to use it from about November to Early March - more bcos I had rather than a need to use it. On the 997 I don't have one and doesn't bother me in the slightest (helped that the car lives in a garage though ), and it's nice on sunny winter days to put the roof down (and the heated seats on :wink: )

When the clocks change seems to work for me in these balmy southern climes

I didn't bother putting the hardtop on last year. As it was very cold, there were plenty of dry days with clear blue skies, so drove open topped on many days during the winter. For treatment, I was bought Autoglym roof treatment as a gift. I didn't use it for a while, then noticed it got a top review in one of the motoring mags, so gave it a go. It has no colour in it, bit seemed to bring the colour out on my hood and water 'beads' on the surface even 12 months afterwards. Was a doddle to treat and I have enough for 2 treatments from the bottle.

I didn't bother putting the hardtop on last year. As it was very cold, there were plenty of dry days with clear blue skies, so drove open topped on many days during the winter. For treatment, I was bought Autoglym roof treatment as a gift. I didn't use it for a while, then noticed it got a top review in one of the motoring mags, so gave it a go. It has no colour in it, bit seemed to bring the colour out on my hood and water 'beads' on the surface even 12 months afterwards. Was a doddle to treat and I have enough for 2 treatments from the bottle.

Plus +1 AutoGlym was great, but make sure you wash all the excess off the paint work after applying the 2nd bottle, I didn't and it took ages to remove the excess waterproofing from the cars paint, the wax stains the paint Lots of rubbing but finally got there in the end.... in future FTFM

I have wondered exactly the same thing. Having bought my cab in May I only hard the hardtop on to bring it back from the dealer. Collecting dust in the bedroom I am sure I could use the space but afraid though to miss out on a nice sunny day. Met one cab with hardtop on in July though, thats just a pity? :? Bought Renovo kit as well due to good reviews. Got it off ebay for great price. Much cheaper than Renovo direct. I just need to find a good cabrio brush or shoe brush, any recommendations? I was looking at doing this weekend however weather forecast looks a bit tricky, especially with no garage. Just imagine a nice British shower once I managed to clear of the weatherproofing and started to primer the roof

Another vote for Autoglym and for leaving the roof off all year. I spent a lot of time getting mine to fit nicely last year. I had it on for about a fortnight before I realised the error of my ways. There was a reason I wanted a cabrio! Top off in the snow, delightful. The tops never look like they are fitted properly anyway. Mine will be staying in storage until I sell the car!

Previous car was an A4 cab which had no hard top, and the memory of driving roof down one bright crisp sunny new years day will stay with me for a while. I did re-proof the roof a couple times - not that it leaked, but the top layer of fabric would get wet in the rain and you couldn't then put it down until properly dry. After reproofing it, rain water beaded and ran off, making it all much quicker. My top tip would be to apply the liquid with a washing up sponge instead of a brush - much easier to apply quicky but in a controlled way. Have elephant bog wipe (aka kitchen roll) ready to catch any runs that make it off the roof onto a window. Rain-x the windows all round too, and your whole topside will shed water like a ducks proverbial.

I have the same problem and have seen the marks on the hood from when the car has had the hard top on over a long duration. I think I am going to wait until we get a full two weeks rain, then the hardtop can go on! Don't wanna miss any sunny days!

Forgot to mention, driving topless late at night is also something to experience. Get a few odd looks mind !

I am not suprised that you got some odd looks with no top on! Driving a porsche!....