Potential purchase

[Honda Rush]

Partner is considering the purchase of an S2k and wondered if anyone can give some guidance with regard to care of the softop? At the moment our garage is full with other vehicles so it may be that the S2k will have to spend some time on the driveway. How will the softop cope with being exposed to the elements? Is it likely to start growing mould and if so, how quickly? What can it be cleaned with, both in general use and if it has to be kept outside?

Any other considerations before she completes the purchase? Any pointers would be gratefully received.

[Serg2K]

Look for wear above drivers shoulder. This is caused by a burr on one of the elbow shaped frames, It is not the obvious looking elbow, it's the one bellow it and does not touch the roof when its up.

Re maintenance its basically just a gentle shampoo followed by some vinyl protectant like Aerospace 303 or similar. I'm not aware of mould growing on these roofs, mine has been outside since its birth (08) with no mould... Probably more likely to grow mould if kept in a garage after a wet drive.

cheers
S

[jsl20]

mine's out all the time and hasn't gone mouldy. its a vinyl roof, so use something like AG interior shampoo on it followed by their bumper care. the already-mentioned 303 aerospace is also highly rated. you'll be fine. alternatively get a GT with a hardtop for the winter, your roof won't see any rain that way November through March.

[Busa mav]

Honda Rush said:

Partner is considering the purchase of an S2k and wondered if anyone can give some guidance with regard to care of the softop? At the moment our garage is full with other vehicles so it may be that the S2k will have to spend some time on the driveway. How will the softop cope with being exposed to the elements? Is it likely to start growing mould and if so, how quickly? What can it be cleaned with, both in general use and if it has to be kept outside?

Any other considerations before she completes the purchase? Any pointers would be gratefully received.

Our S2000 has never seen the inside of a garage in over 7 years and the soft top is fine.

The hardtop does get fitted if we know snow is coming .

I wouldnt worry about it too much at all.

I just wash the top with autoglym bodywash , just the same as the rest of the car.

[havoc]

Mine was outside for 3 years - hardtop in winter though - and I had no problems at all.

Couple of pointers:-
- When erecting/lowering in winter, run the internal heater for a while first to 'warm things through' - the vinyl DOES contract slightly.
- DON'T park it under a tree for any length of time - one of the girls at work has an MCS convertible and the roof appears to be going mouldy (she doesn't wash it much though).
- Use a silicone grease on the seals once/twice a year - Honda 'Shin Etzu' grease is the OE product if you can still get it.


Edit: Re cleaning and preservation, 303 is the usual preserver but it will change the appearance of the material slightly. If the hood is still in good nick, just keep it washed regularly with usual car-wash (Meguiars, AutoGlym, etc.) and it probably won't need much other attention.

Edited by havoc on Wednesday 3rd August 22:14

[havoc]

Good question, don't know. I had a hard-top so never needed to find out. Frost is probably a good sign you shouldn't move it though!