[sirwm]

Hi - I have seen many threads regarding the care of the
convertible rag top. But I have seen nothing on the care of the coupe soft top.

It appears and feels like vinyl.

How are you all caring for these soft tops ?

Raggtopp Vinyl or something else ?

:huh:

 

[Sly Bob]

303 vinyl. :lol:

 

[Seltzinator]

Here we go again.

 

[Shadofax]

Hi - I have seen many threads regarding the care of the
convertible rag top. But I have seen nothing on the care of the coupe soft top.

It appears and feels like vinyl.

How are you all caring for these soft tops ?

Raggtopp Vinyl or something else ?

:huh:

Everyone kinda jumped on the "what to spray on it for protection" bandwagon, and while I too use the 303, applied on a rag liberally first and then wiped on the top so there are no mess issues, the bigger thing is how you store the top. Always store it in the fabricated, ready to install condition to keep the shape of the top. Only put it in the vehicle "rolled up" when the hard targa is removed.

 

[ChopTop]

Pontiac developed a hard top storage bag which can double as a soft top storage bag. It has an embossed Pontiac and arrowhead on the vinyl exterior, along with a microfiber interior and sewn on canvas handle.
.
Removable Roof Panel Stowage Bag 19212675 $72.75

Pontiac Solstice Hard Top Convertible Targa Storage Bag GM 19212675 | eBay $45.00

When the bag is empty and the convertible top is stored in the boot it can also double as a convertible top blanket.

 

[SolNut]

I hope owners know that the top does not fit nicely in the rear storage area. :brentil:

Also, the F&R bows fit nicely in a King Size pillow case that has been sewn down the center. :thumbs:

 

[franknbeans]

I got the soft top this spring.. but it's still in the box. I bought it for any long trips. But if I'm just running for the day and know 100% it is not going to rain, I just leave the hard top in the garage.

I do need to figure out a better place to put it instead of on the floor though. What else is everyone doing with the hard top once removed?

 

[SolNut]

Mine is/are (I swap them) is sitting under a queen size bed. It is in a Naugahyde bag I made sitting on the underside of a square card table that I padded up. Slides in/out real nice awa keeps it out of the way.

 

[jeffgtx]

I had mine re-apolstered (I never spell that right) with sail cloth by a professional apols-- guy who does apohl-- a fabric person who puts leather and stuff on seats and sofas.

 

[DaveOC]

I had mine re-apolstered (I never spell that right) with sail cloth by a professional apols-- guy who does apohl-- a fabric person who puts leather and stuff on seats and sofas.

Repeat after me - - - upholster, upholstered, upholstery (google search is a pretty good spell checker, too. :thumbs: )

 

[jeffgtx]

That's where I always go wrong. My mind is convinced it starts with an a. And switching to another page to spell check on my phone was too labor intensive. Somebody should make a swipe down dictionary app!

But thanks for the spelling lesson.

The sail cloth is also nice because it alleviates the potential for those sharp corners to stuck through the vinyl.

 

[SolNut]

I noticed a FAILURE on mine the last R&R.
The plastic that slips into the F&R channels has broken/split.

I'll try a picture the next time I have it off. :brentil:

 

[SolNut]

Soft Top Failure

Here are the pictures of the broken/split plastic. So far :thumbs: only the rears have broken.

Good Luck-Steve

 

[TX08manualGXP]

I think all of those t-top bags from GM are the same. I had a new set for my 73 vette and also had a set for my 78 TA and the material and design is closely identical. only difference is the size so if you can find one cheap on ebay with the GM logo then it's probably the same as what the dealer has.

 

[Lar Bear]

I purchased one of those overhead wire mesh storage racks you suspend from the ceiling from Home Depot. I installed the rack in my garage over one of my other vehicles. I cut a piece of masonite larger than the over all width of the targa roof to allow either the hard top or the assembled soft top inserted in the storage bag to rest on a smooth surface.

I purchased one of those the Pontiac Solstice lined HD storage bags, available for the targa roof, and store either of the two tops in it. The "out of service" soft or hard coupe targa tops are then out of harms way safely stored until needed.

Laar Bear
"Cool" Man GXP Coupe purchased in April 2013

 

[9Y000008_COUPE]

I got the soft top this spring.. but it's still in the box. I bought it for any long trips. But if I'm just running for the day and know 100% it is not going to rain, I just leave the hard top in the garage.

I do need to figure out a better place to put it instead of on the floor though. What else is everyone doing with the hard top once removed?

when i bought my targa soft top, i used it once on awhile then i would use the hard top.. i bought a wall mounted bike rack (you can find it @ Lowes, Home Depot or Walmart....and installed in on the wall.. i keep my hardtop on that rack and currently have the soft targa top on the car, so it will keep its shape

the rack is mounted up on the wall in the garage, kinda up and out of the way, you can walk underneath it w/o crashing into it with your head...do this and your top will stay in one piece..