Fabric Soft top Waterproof/protectant suggestion?

[Keifersmith]

So after all the rain I determined that my canvas fabric soft top needs some sort of waterproof protectant. Autogeek has a couple of products from 303 and RaggTop that look pretty good:
http://www.autogeek.net/303-fabric-combo.html
http://www.autogeek.net/racotopcakit.html

I use the 303 Aerospace protectant and really like it so tempted to try the 303 product. Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions or advice for protecting fabric tops?

[sammm]

I've been a fan of 303 for a long time. I put it on my top, but its not canvas.

[eliandi]

I use the 303 Fabric guard on my canvas top. Makes water bead up nicely. To keep the coat on, I never use soap on the top, but when washing I do hose the top down then just use my microfiber towns to dry the top. 99% of the time that is all it needs. But once in a while there is something stuck on, and the 303 will take it off. Then 2-3 times/year I treat the entire roof.

[gabkwong]

303 is the way to go. They make one specific for fabric. Wash the car with shampoo with wax in the same bottle helps keep the water proofing better. s a bonus, the wax helps the black plastic parts look new. My canvas top never get wet unless in heavy rain and not moving or I spray it hard with a garden hose when washing.

[Keifersmith]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to give the 303 a try. eliandi, do you or have you used the 303 fabric cleaner before you treat with the 303 protectant? my top is black and seems to be relatively clean. Not sure if the cleaner is really necessary or not.

[eliandi]

I did not as my top was already pretty clean. You can always clean it with a car shampoo and brush before if needed. Just make sure its dry before the 303

[Keifersmith]

Oh, one other question. I read in some of the product reviews that some people were applying it with a small foam roller as opposed to spraying it on. I think partly for better application and partly to avoid having to avoid overspray onto paint/etc. Do you guys just spray it on?

[sammm]

I have a small microfiber towel I use for 303 only. Spray it on the towel, wipe it on the top.

[gabkwong]

I have a black canvas top and had no idea how clean or not clean when I got the car from the PO. I used the 303 cleaner. I could not tell the difference. The first time I used a nylon brush to "soak" the top. It took more than half a bottle! Being a TCB, I use a foam applicator the next time (a towel soak up too much of the 303). I can not tell the difference in terms of water repelling property. I hate the spray, as it gets over the glass and paint which takes some elbow grease to take off.

[Bob_MX5]

I used RaggTop for my boxster top (2004-200. Loved it.

B.

[Keifersmith]

Brown Santa just dropped off my 303 fabric cleaner/protectant kit that I ordered from autogeek. Looks like a good project for this weekend.