9 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAdvice on Soft Top Conditioning
Leading reported evidence
Use on my seats
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I tried shoe polish and black leather dye that I used on my seats.
Leading evidence: 'Use on my seats' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean /conditioner won't do it can it be dyed' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion · Original poster
If a cleaning/conditioner won't do it can it be dyed?
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
It looks like it could be some kind of compound/substance scrubbed on by PO in a cleaning effort, might come out with good cleaning product.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
There are clean ones out there with good maintenance records .
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion · Original poster
From my recent research it appears that the stains must be removed by the cleaning process, not the conditioning process.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
9 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T135432Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I am looking to purchase a 2000 996 cabriolet with a black top that is discolored (Attached photos). The fabric is in good shape, just discolored. Can anyone recommend how to best recondition the fabric to restore its black finish?
If a cleaning/conditioner won't do it can it be dyed?
I hope you get a good answer! A bird pooped on my top and it left a white mark. I tried shoe polish and black leather dye that I used on my seats. It did cover up the stain, but it is now shiny so it still looks like a bird pooped on it, only it pooped black poop. I realize I can't use the correct term for poop.
Raggtopp.com is great for cleaning and you might start there.
Do you know why it is discolored? It looks like it could be some kind of compound/substance scrubbed on by PO in a cleaning effort, might come out with good cleaning product.
Have you tried hitting it with some
303 Top cleaner
?
I haven't purchased the car yet. I may be able to get the ok to try cleaning a small area as a test. From my recent research it appears that the stains must be removed by the cleaning process, not the conditioning process. So, I need to determine the most effect cleaner.
Is the rear window starting to delaminate in the bottom right corner? It looks weird in the picture. Once that plastic window glue starts to delam, the whole thing will start to go due to the stresses in the top.
Overall, I'd say that top looks to be in horrible shape.
My 2 cents: call around to local detail shops and share the pics with them . Can they fix it ? If yes how much ? If no then call around to get estimates on top replacement . In either scenario use the $$$ estimates to negotiate lower purchase price .
If the seller is not interested then I say walk away . There are clean ones out there with good maintenance records . Just need to be patient and diligent in your search .
If you choose to have a new top, I would suggest going online and looking at Robbins Auto Top: Replacement Convertable Soft Top with upgraded Glass window. Around $1,400 is a rather fair price.
They are canvas, this was recommended by guys in the UK, I bought the black and plan to do my top from grey to black when weather get warmer in the spring, I also got the top cleaner.
Amazon
Amazon
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
