Im new to the vert gang.. I have Questions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bigtwan25 · 01-18-2018, 04:12 PM

I just brought a 2011 SS 8,000 miles

It came with the cover (no idea how to install) is it just for looks or is there a purpose?

Does the top need to be cleaned and water proofed? if so what do i use ???

Are there any things that needs to be lube and such ??

theragtopguy · 01-18-2018, 04:19 PM

First, welcome to the ragtop club!!

The cover is to use when you want it to look nice, piece of cake to install. For top care, I generally vacuum mine once in a while. I have not put any protectant on it, some have, but mine works fine without it.

As far as lubing stuff, you could use some CRC Power Lube spray on the pivot areas on the convertible frame to keep it going without binding over time.

The thing you need to watch out for on that year ragtop is the dreaded 5th bow disease. What happens is that the 5th bow bends and the top will sag in the back badly. When this happens, the bow needs to be replaced. The actual bow was redesigned in 2012 or 2013 I believe to prevent this from happening. You can do a search on the forum for more details on this issue.

Other than that, enjoy your ride!!!

bigtwan25 · 01-18-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

First, welcome to the ragtop club!!

The cover is to use when you want it to look nice, piece of cake to install. For top care, I generally vacuum mine once in a while. I have not put any protectant on it, some have, but mine works fine without it.

As far as lubing stuff, you could use some CRC Power Lube spray on the pivot areas on the convertible frame to keep it going without binding over time.

The thing you need to watch out for on that year ragtop is the dreaded 5th bow disease. What happens is that the 5th bow bends and the top will sag in the back badly. When this happens, the bow needs to be replaced. The actual bow was redesigned in 2012 or 2013 I believe to prevent this from happening. You can do a search on the forum for more details on this issue.

Other than that, enjoy your ride!!!

thanks man

13BRM2SSRS · 01-18-2018, 07:02 PM

Congrats on the new ride!

For cleaning and protecting both Raggtop and 303 make great products. I have used both but think 303 lasts longer. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner works on vinyl and fabric tops. Fyi 5th gen Camaro came with Fabric tops. 303 Fabric Guard is great and lasts longer than Raggtop protectant in my experience. Enjoy!

Moreair1 · 01-18-2018, 07:20 PM

Welcome and congrats on the new ride

Royal Tiger · 01-18-2018, 09:12 PM

5th bow was updated in the late 2012’s.

Congrats and share some pics!!

c-57d · 01-19-2018, 07:11 AM

There are a couple (ok, maybe one) of DIY's here on how to fix the 5th bow without removing the top.
Enjoy...

-s

Britewood · 01-23-2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

First, welcome to the ragtop club!!

The cover is to use when you want it to look nice, piece of cake to install. For top care, I generally vacuum mine once in a while. I have not put any protectant on it, some have, but mine works fine without it.

As far as lubing stuff, you could use some CRC Power Lube spray on the pivot areas on the convertible frame to keep it going without binding over time.

The thing you need to watch out for on that year ragtop is the dreaded 5th bow disease. What happens is that the 5th bow bends and the top will sag in the back badly. When this happens, the bow needs to be replaced. The actual bow was redesigned in 2012 or 2013 I believe to prevent this from happening. You can do a search on the forum for more details on this issue.

Other than that, enjoy your ride!!!

+1, welcome to the forums and to add a bit.

I always vacuum my top before I clean the car. This prevents dirt from getting embedded in the top. Upholstery tip for the vacuum will help to loosen items that might stick a little to the top such as hair and such, don't use anything with really stiff bristles it will damage the fabric and push stuff into the fibers of the top.

When you need to clean it because of something like Bird poop again, vacuum first then use a mild top cleaner, like suggested already and a fine bristle brush to gently clean the top.

I have never used a protectant on the top, the canvas has a natural resistance and after 3 years there was no evidence of fading. I had to keep the car outside for those three years too (she has a spot indoors now). There are mixed reviews on treating the top, if you choose to treat follow the instructions and the re-application schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

Tonneau cover installation varies by year, they made some changes but installation is similar you can use this to get started http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=381

Again welcome to the forums and enjoy the vert!

nexxis · 03-08-2018, 07:36 AM

I also use silicon spray to lube the rubber parts. Welcome to the club. You’re gonna love having that top down!

13BRM2SSRS · 03-08-2018, 11:29 AM

Here's how the water beads with the 303 protectant.

bigtwan25 · 03-08-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13BRM2SSRS

Here's how the water beads with the 303 protectant.

Ok im sold

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

SharpOldNo7 · 03-08-2018, 08:46 PM

303 Fabric Guard is great. I rolled mine on for better coverage. Here is a link to the thread with pictures.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=481360&page=2

13BRM2SSRS · 03-09-2018, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharpOldNo7

303 Fabric Guard is great. I rolled mine on for better coverage. Here is a link to the thread with pictures.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=481360&page=2

Yep, rolling it on is the way to go!

christate1 · 03-16-2018, 03:56 PM

wow how does this stuff hold up

01-18-2018, 04:12 PM	#1
bigtwan25 Drives: 2011 SS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MARYLAND Posts: 75	Im new to the vert gang.. I have Questions I just brought a 2011 SS 8,000 miles It came with the cover (no idea how to install) is it just for looks or is there a purpose? Does the top need to be cleaned and water proofed? if so what do i use ??? Are there any things that needs to be lube and such ??

01-18-2018, 04:19 PM	#2
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	First, welcome to the ragtop club!! The cover is to use when you want it to look nice, piece of cake to install. For top care, I generally vacuum mine once in a while. I have not put any protectant on it, some have, but mine works fine without it. As far as lubing stuff, you could use some CRC Power Lube spray on the pivot areas on the convertible frame to keep it going without binding over time. The thing you need to watch out for on that year ragtop is the dreaded 5th bow disease. What happens is that the 5th bow bends and the top will sag in the back badly. When this happens, the bow needs to be replaced. The actual bow was redesigned in 2012 or 2013 I believe to prevent this from happening. You can do a search on the forum for more details on this issue. Other than that, enjoy your ride!!! __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

01-18-2018, 07:02 PM	#4
13BRM2SSRS Drives: 13 Camaro 2SS Vert L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 632 View My Garage	Congrats on the new ride! For cleaning and protecting both Raggtop and 303 make great products. I have used both but think 303 lasts longer. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner works on vinyl and fabric tops. Fyi 5th gen Camaro came with Fabric tops. 303 Fabric Guard is great and lasts longer than Raggtop protectant in my experience. Enjoy! Attached Images __________________ Black GFX / Dynatech Supermaxx LT Headers / FR Black Chrome ZL1 Replicas 275/315 / RDP Tune / CAI / VMAX TB / MBRP SS Catback / Gtechniq CSL & EXOV3 / VTC / RX Catch Can / Valentine 1 / Halo DRL / LED Fogs

01-18-2018, 07:20 PM	#5
Moreair1 Drives: 2011 ss convertible Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,329 View My Garage	Welcome and congrats on the new ride __________________ Cai intake and a few other mods😎

01-19-2018, 07:11 AM	#7
c-57d Drives: 14 2SS/RS Triple Black Ragtop LS3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: California Bay Area 95008 Posts: 305 View My Garage	There are a couple (ok, maybe one) of DIY's here on how to fix the 5th bow without removing the top. Enjoy... -s __________________ Come see the violence inherent in the sysadmin.

01-18-2018, 09:12 PM	#6
Royal Tiger Account Suspended Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 3,873	5th bow was updated in the late 2012’s. Congrats and share some pics!!

03-08-2018, 07:36 AM	#9
nexxis Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 36	I also use silicon spray to lube the rubber parts. Welcome to the club. You’re gonna love having that top down!

03-08-2018, 11:29 AM	#10
13BRM2SSRS Drives: 13 Camaro 2SS Vert L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 632 View My Garage	Here's how the water beads with the 303 protectant. Attached Images __________________ Black GFX / Dynatech Supermaxx LT Headers / FR Black Chrome ZL1 Replicas 275/315 / RDP Tune / CAI / VMAX TB / MBRP SS Catback / Gtechniq CSL & EXOV3 / VTC / RX Catch Can / Valentine 1 / Halo DRL / LED Fogs

03-08-2018, 08:46 PM	#12
SharpOldNo7 Drives: 2015 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Mississippi Posts: 298	303 Fabric Guard is great. I rolled mine on for better coverage. Here is a link to the thread with pictures. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=481360&page=2

03-16-2018, 03:56 PM	#14
christate1 Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Convertible 6spd Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 63	wow how does this stuff hold up