Re: New top question?

2001 Boxster S

Today I had a new German cloth top with clear plastic window installed.
Is there any info I should know about "break in" time and the like?
Can I begin putting the top up and down immediately?
Should I Raggtop is right away?

I noticed it was very hard to latch today, needs to stretch out?

It was raining today and I noticed the rain water was really not "beading and running off" all that much.

Appreciate the advice!

If the top is difficult to latch closed, if possible, let the car sit in the sun for a few days in the fully closed position. Driving it around with the top up will have a similar effect but the surface of the top will not get as hot and thus take longer to have the same effect. That will allow the canvas to stretch and the top will become gradually easier to latch closed.

If the water is not beading off the top, an application of RaggTopp is a good idea.

Regards, Maurice.

What kind of top did you get? Was it from GAHH? Do you have full access to the engine compartment? I've been thinking about getting a new top, but with the glass rear window.

I actually don't know exactly the brand of the top as the whole thing was coordinated via my mechanic. He sub contracted the job out to a top specialist he has used exclusively for years and I don't know who it is. I have been busy so I was happy to not have been really involved and let him handle it. I probably should have converted to a glass window but I let that one slide and the new one is clear plastic. It looks great, nice and clear. The cloth top material looks really beautiful and the install seems great other than what I wrote in my post (hard to latch). So I will take Maurice's advice and park it in the sun, let it dry out and stretch and then Raggtop it. I am a little surprised it needs Raggtop right out of the gate but, not a big deal I guess.

(based on long experience) is to always clean them before putting the top down. Wipe with a wet cloth and pat dry (paper towel OK, but be careful not to rub, just pat). My '02 window is still clear and I only need to use Plexus two or three times a year.
Fine dust gets on the outside of the window and when down, the outside bottom half of the window is folded against the upper half. Guess what happens as you drive?

Does it look OEM? Do you have full access to the engine compartment?

Yes and yes. It looks really great.