Convertible top up / down in garage? | FerrariChat
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Convertible top up / down in garage?

Discussion in '360/430' started by enzoformenh, May 18, 2017.

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  1. enzoformenh

    enzoformenh Formula Junior
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    Aug 26, 2004
    645
    NH
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    Mike F
    #1 enzoformenh, May 18, 2017
    This is my first spider and I'm wondering if other owners leave the the top down when parked in the garage or do you always put it up? So far, I have put it down and up every time I drive it. I wouldn't store it over the winter down. I'm thinking down on Friday back up on Sunday night. Seems to be a trade off between working the mechanics of the top versus winkles and stress on the top material when it is down. I would love to learn what others do and anything I have to worry about.
     
  2. jamie140

    jamie140 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 17, 2004
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    Jamie
    #2 jamie140, May 18, 2017
    Mines a 458, but I've had 2 360's, 2 16M's and another 430.

    I always leave my top up. Don't want wrinkles, mold or dust in my car.

    Plus, if an animal somehow gets in there, you don't want it in your interior.
     
    Themaven likes this.
  3. John_K_348

    John_K_348 F1 Rookie

    Sep 20, 2013
    2,753
    Boston, MA
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    John E. Kenney
    #3 John_K_348, May 18, 2017
    Yes top up! You want it taught, and the frame extended and locked for storage. I crack the windows in the summer even in the garage, covered and air conditioned. ;)
     
  4. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
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    Mar 27, 2006
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    Dan L.
    #4 whatheheck, May 18, 2017
    On my previous 360 - down when Im driving.

    Top up while in the garage to stretch the fabric.

    Crack the window down while in the garage to let the interior of the car breath.

    I also highly recommend you apply 303 roof protectant to waterproof & protect the fabric.

    Dan
     
    f355spider likes this.
  5. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    Aug 25, 2005
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    Campbell, CA
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    John Zornes
    #5 Skidkid, May 18, 2017
    I do both but I drive my car often when I am home. If I am going to be gone, I put it up. I don't tend to leave it down for more than a week. IF you leave it down for long periods it will shrink some and you will have to give it a hand to stretch and lock down. It will then stretch back out.
     
  6. enzoformenh

    enzoformenh Formula Junior
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    #6 enzoformenh, May 18, 2017
    Up it is! I didn't even think about the rodent factor. I have a nice garage but it's NH and we get mice every now and then.

    I do have the window cracked because of the plug for the battery tender.

    Thanks for tip on the roof protectant, I will check it out.
     
  7. HIO Silver

    HIO Silver Formula Junior

    Mar 12, 2016
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    Alonso C.
    #7 HIO Silver, May 18, 2017
    Yes, definitely up.
     
  8. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,678
    Silicon Valley
    #8 Need4Spd, May 19, 2017
    Up. But I use Ragg Topp, not 303.
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
    18,031
    USA
    #9 f355spider, May 20, 2017
    Last edited: May 20, 2017
    From 10 years of ownership of an F355 spider: Owners manual says to always store with top up. I only put the top up when I washed the car...and even then, not always ;) Even in winter, only if I knew I was not driving for a couple weeks would I attempt to store with top up. After ten years, no bad things happened, top was just as nice as when I bought the car (all original). I did one time, use some BMW convertible top water repellent treatment at about the middle of my ownership.

    Note: putting the top up or down and installing/removing the top cover is a time consuming and burdensome process on the F355 spider. The F360/F430 spider is so simple, that I would just put it up when stored. :)

    As far as rodents...I always have traps and poison around for transient rodents that happen by. Many years ago I had some minor damage to a Nissan Maxima that I had to fix...never again. ;) But I have seen friends with much worse damage...it happens, best to take preventive action.
     
    whatheheck likes this.
  10. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran
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    #10 blackbolt22, May 23, 2017
    Up unless I'm going to drive it next day or so. Keeps interior cleaner.
     
  11. yangstein

    yangstein Formula Junior

    Mar 23, 2015
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    Brian
    #11 yangstein, Jun 2, 2017
    I never drive with the top up. Duh... I am in CA and it doesn't rain that much. If it rains, I don't get the car out... In the beginning I left the top down at all times and had a same question as OP. My mechanic and all the friends here suggested me to put the top up to make sure the whole system works. I put the top down on Friday evening then drive over the weekends and put the top up on Sunday evening.
     
  12. ferraristyle1

    ferraristyle1 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2013
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    Baltimore, MD
    #12 ferraristyle1, Jun 2, 2017
    Same for me. Top down on Friday night, top up on Sunday night.



     
  13. Joe Sommer

    Joe Sommer Rookie

    Apr 19, 2019
    19
    #13 Joe Sommer, Jul 2, 2019
    I was searching for the same advice on this topic. Love the Friday night down, Sunday night up 'rule of thumb'. F-chat is a great resource - thanks to all for sharing on this topic.
     
  14. SCKOMS

    SCKOMS F1 Rookie
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    #14 SCKOMS, Jul 2, 2019
    I've had my 430 spider for 6 yrs and a 360spider for 2 yrs before that. I left the top down if I was going to drive the car the next day. It has stayed down for several days at a time. I have not seen any issues. Never had to assist the top to close as another poster suggested.

    Sent from my Galaxy
     

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