Hi All,
Have a question about my new-to-me 2014 f-type convert. I am seeing some wear on the convertible top that has me somewhat concerned. Fabric is starting to fuzz in a couple of places on both sides. The areas of concern are small, eraser head size, are between the support frames where you would expect the top to fold. Not too severe yet, but getting a little fuzzing and can feel the fabric is weaker in these areas. Maybe normal or from significant use by the PO? Car has 23K miles. Top mechanism mileage unknown.... If there is something I could do to slow the progression, I would like to know about it.

Thanks!
Bob

 

Tops can wear out quickly if not taken care of. Make sure you clean and protect it. A lot of guys recommend 303. Should be cleaned with light stream of water from hose, and a soft brush regularly and apply protectant as needed. Dust and dirt will collect on the material and hold moisture. A lot of it will depend on driving and parking conditions. Also, never leave your top down for extended periods, they are made to be stored in the up position. I always put mine up when parked, even in my garage.

 

Likewise, I store top up even when parked in a garage.

Generally, most top wear happens when it is down. If you minimize that, you will delay when you have to replace it. Generally, tops rarely last more than 15 years on a car that is used. On my classic convertibles, soft top replacement is probably one of the more common repairs.

Don't forget to also clean top rubber seals, replacing these when they get old and brittle is truly an undertaking.

 

Thanks. I read the advise about storing.parking the car with the top up and do so. No idea what the PO did. Also read somewhere on here that Jag issued a SB to move and protect some cabling to minimize top wear. I couldn't find that in my search today but don't think that's my issue given the location of the wear.

Understand that periodic replacement is part of the cost of doing business on a rag top. Just trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible. I didn't see an aftermarket top source for the f-type in my quick Google search, maybe too new? I know the factory top cost is astronomical.. Looks like XK8 and earlier tops are readily available and reasonable. I've done replacements before, but after the 968, I will likely trust the job to professionals on this car!

Thanks, Bob

 

Replacement top very expensive before labor! I'm showing a mark on each side similar to yours but no fuzz. I due use a top cleaner a couple times a year and it still looks pretty good. In Vegas lots of top down days and nights so they've added up over 6.5 years!I guess if I have to replace so be it.

 

Mine was purchased in Portland and immediately relocated to Scottsdale so same sort of exposure I expect. I think the original owner wintered there so likely top down most of the time and maybe stored that way. Here in Bend it will spend most of it's summer driving time with the top down and stored in the winter months. Trying to keep it alive and presentable until a cost effective replacement is available. The rest of the car is quite nice, though it has taken a few rides through the car wash I expect. Normal challenges for very fine, but used automobile!
I will look into the 303 products. Appreciate the tips!

 

Car wash!
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Don't ever ever ever take a half decent car through a car wash, not unless you really love masses of scratches, swirls and holograms in your paintwork!

 

I recommend RaggTopp to protect the fabric top, and Mother's Back to Black for the rubber seals. The fabric top will eventually have to be replaced, no matter how well you protect it. Use your fabric top until it's time to renew is probably your best bet now. There are 3rd parties that can replace your fabric top for a decent price.

 

Also I read somewhere on here about who provides the tops for Jaguar and what they recommend. Not all tops are the same, canvas, vinyl, etc. I'm too lazy to do a search and post. Well, not really. I'm supposed to be listening in on this teleconference though...

 

Roof supplier...
https://www.haartz.com

 

Thanks. I ordered the Raggtopp kit as recommended by Haartz. My wear areas are at the points where the top folds over on itself. Upon further examination, they aren't as serious as originally described. Maybe I'm OK for awhile.

 

I’ve used Raggtop twice over the last 4 years. Works well and keep the top up when parked and certainly garage the car. Cleans up easily and still looks like new.

 

When you order Haartz you get oem fabric but just the fabric, you need a very good interior shop to replace. Find one the dealers use! There is a top one in Vegas that gave me a quote less than the price of the top alone fron Jag. Told me might as well wait till a real problem. I think I might make a color change at the time from black to grey for my Stratus , if I still have car.