Ari Posted February 24, 2003 Report Share Posted February 24, 2003 Given the somewhat dubious forecast for this weekend, I just wondered, if it does happen to stop raining for ten minutes, is it OK to drop the roof, or are you supposed to let it dry a bit first? I'm assuming the bit it folds into must drain...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyoung Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 The manual says not to fold it if it's wet. It probably would not hurt for a short time, I think they are concerned about mold. However, you might get water into the top box and it seems like that would not be good. So far I have adhered to this guidance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hashluck Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 NO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A3Floyd Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 From experience, it's always better to let the roof dry fully before lowering as the material shrinks slightly when wet. If it's allowed to dry unstretched, then you'll have problems getting it back up again. I used this technique to cure my sagging roof on my MGF - works well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hants_Cruiser_UK Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 I noticed the other night at my Dealership that there was a Cab parked outside next to a TT roadster and the TT roof was quite damp with dew, but the Cabs roof seemed to be almost dry. The TT roof seems to be made of a much cheaper canvas type material and is only single skinned, so maybe hasn't got such good insualtion properties. It looked like the Cabs roof would dry a lot quicker than the canvas type. I read somewhere that the Cabs roof is welded together and not stiched, so it must be made of some pretty high quality stuff. So hopefully when the rain stops the roof will shed its water pretty quickly and be ready for folding in no time As a side note - does the cab have a 'top tint' windscreen ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 I would agree, I originally was going to buy a TTR but I thought for the money the roof quality was not that good, also the bars are exposed inside. I have to say the roof on the A4Cab is the best I have experienced it is so easy to forget you are driving a convertable car. It is very weel insulated and does not seem to absorb water, I use a synthetic shamy and wipe it off before folding it away if it has had a light dusting of rain. Also IMHO it does not have that horrible tent affect on the back like the BMW 3 series and the Saab's. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 Thanks guys, interesting response. [ QUOTE ] I use a synthetic shamy and wipe it off before folding it away if it has had a light dusting of rain. AZ [/ QUOTE ] I must admit I thought about this, carry a chamious and clear the water off before using, but the handbook states not to use one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 ARI My understanding was thas only leather chamious cannot be used, mine is one of the Auto Glym synthetic ones. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 Az, Just checking the handbook and it states "Chamois cloths are not suitable for drying the soft top". I can't see that a synthetic one would cause a problem though, I could imagine a real one leaving bits all over it... Just had another thought though, a sponge could obviously be used, after all you use one when cleaning it. Interesting point though, manual says always brush the sponge from front to back. Follows the "grain" of the material apparently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 ARI I am not sure if I am ok to dry the roof with the synthetic one I reckon I am as a leather would leave bits and may also transfer some oil from the chamous to the roof ?? As a rule I only was the bodywork and just rinse3 off the rood if it loks dusty. I tend to find using one of the clothes roller things with the pull off strips is excellent for keeping the roof clean, it removes all the bits and fluff etc. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCab Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 i only hose my roof and dry with the meguiars new super duper thingy to dry it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4dreamer Posted February 26, 2003 Report Share Posted February 26, 2003 [ QUOTE ] i only hose my roof and dry with the meguiars new super duper thingy to dry it [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, I was going to suggest this. The Meguiar's super-dooper microfibre drying towel is extremely absorbent - much more so than a chamois or synthetic chamois (when dry anyway), so this would be your best option. Also, it doesn't leave bits behind - which even my Autoglym synthetic chamois does occasionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCab Posted February 26, 2003 Report Share Posted February 26, 2003 yeah but my advise is buy 2, coz it gets soaked after drying the roof and then you still need to dry the rest of teh car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabster Posted March 1, 2003 Report Share Posted March 1, 2003 This might seem like a really stupid question but..... ....can you put cars with soft tops through a car wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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