Greetings Jaguar Forum Peeps!


Two years ago I bought my 1999 XK8 convertible. I immediately joined this forum and greatly appreciate all of the information and help.


When I first bought Kitty, I noticed the top was canvas and started searching for a good water/UV protectant. I read on the forum about all kinds of applications and how they would last a good 6 months or so, which didn't seem that long to me.
I had purchased a can of 3M Tent and Tarp waterproofing spray for a different project and decided "what the heck, I'll try it." I sprayed it along the bottom edge of the top just behind the rear window to see what happens.


I live in the Puget Sound region of the United States where we are known for constant rain. For two years I watched that 2"x7" area remain dry while the rest of the top became saturated with rain. At about 1 1/2 years it stopped actually beading and just appeared and felt dry compared to the rest of the top.(Two years is a long time I know. I wasn't too worried and kept an eye on the top)


This last weekend I bought two cans of the 3M Tent and Tarp waterproofing and went to town on the top (cleaning, masking off the car blah blah blah). I discovered that one and 1/8(?) can is enough to give the top a good coating, and now I am confident that my top is protected for a minimum of two years with this one application.


3M-very reputable company, been around forever, located in Minnesota/U.S.A


The can is green with a graphic of a campsite if you decide to look for it.


Six months? Nah, I'll take the two years, thanks anyway

 

Did your all over effort show up any issues of discoloration, clouding, etc?

 

Unless I'm looking at the wrong product, I see no mention of UV protection - which is half the reason for treating the top.

 

Did you clean the test spot over the test period with anything, soap/water, top cleaner, etc?

 

Over the last 2 years, I've washed kitty religiously every two weeks, weather permitting, and washed the top first/separately with a canvas top cleaner and a soft scrub brush. On the last wash, that 2"x7" "dry spot" was still there until the top dried.


My over all treatment of the top shows no discoloration, no clouding and no raised "fuzziness" such as I've read on here that was caused by some products. In fact, my top looks like there's nothing on it...until I sprinkle it with the hose

 

I am just South of you in Vancouver Wa, our rain is your rain. I have 2001 conv and have not wanted to test any cleaner on the top. I will give 3M cleaner a try, thanks for the info.