Let's See Some Softoppers

When I bought my Softopper off Craigslist, it had a bunch of mud spots on it. Not as much as yours, but it was a bunch of smaller mud spots on both sides. I tried washing and scrubbing with a soft towel, which helped a little, but still left the spots. I then tried washing and spraying with 303 Aerospace Protectant and have to say it did a great job. Got rid of most of the spots, a couple of the larger ones were still there a little bit. A little more elbow grease probably would have done it, but I thought it looked good enough. In addition to cleaning up the spots, the 303 seemed to really rejuvenate the look and feel of the Softopper in general.

 

So in addition to protecting, it also cleans? Did you just get a nylon brush and scrub the crap out of it? I'm just worried if I spray a protectant on it with the mud still impregnated in the fabric, that I'm just going to make it worse. I thought the vinyl protectant I used would have worked better but even when I was wiping it on, it would get beaded up in the narrow crevices of the fabric and I ended up having to use a toothbrush to get the excess off. I'll def look into it, thanks for the recommendation

 

I don't see it in the product description on their site, but I could have sworn it said that it cleaned, which is why I tried it. I didn't use a brush, just sprayed with 303 and scrubbed with the same sponge I use to wash the truck. I actually tried using

$21 Bestop 11211-01 Jeep Soft Top Cleaner, 16 oz. bottle

Bestop Cleaner first, thinking that would clean up my mud spots before using 303 to protect. I didn't buy the 303 with the thought that it would clean up the spots, only had an eye on protecting. But, the Bestop Cleaner really didn't do anything to the mud spots, so, I tried the 303.
Looking more on the 303 site, they do have a cleaner. No experience with it, but might be something to research more, too.

 

Just bought a softopper. Wanted a hard camper but no one could get one to me before I needed it. After looking at a few threads I think I ended up going the better route anyway.


I'll post some pics once I get it and install it

 

Guess I should share a shot of my Softopper. More shots of what's inside the Softopper in my build thread.

 

Put my softopper on yesterday. I love this thing. Awesome build quality and awesome customer service.

 

Has anyone ever had a soft top over top something like a BakFlip? I'm in need of a secure storage area (hence a locking BakFlip tonneau) but I will also put stuff on top of it and net it down, but I want it protected from the elements (enter the Softop). I'm not sure if its possible or not...

 

I don't see how that could work because the softopper relies on the bed rails. From the tonneaus that I've seen, they usually cover the rails. Although I'm sure something can be figured out to make it work.

 

The soft top frame anchors below the rail. You would be better off with a lockable hard top or a tarp. My bacflip lasted 2 summers before the doublestick tape melted and parts fell off, after scewing everything in place it still leaked like crazy, and the latches needed constant work. It was nice but it didnt last long for me.

 

Hey, thanks for that...good info to have before I spend $1000 on a bakflip.

 

Before: (caked on mud and dirt, wouldn't come off with car wash soap and scrub)


After: (using almost a whole bottle 303 Vinyl/Fabric cleaner with a lot of scrubbing with nylon brush)


I'm impressed by the product. I did have to let it soak without letting it dry out and I scrubbed the heck out of it, and spray multiple applications but I didn't ruin the fabric and 95% of the mud stains are now gone. Now to spray 303 protectant on it before the next rain. Thanks to DenverMojo!

 

Wow! That cleaned up great! Glad it worked out for you!

 

I found some sticky back velco at the fabric/sewing store nearby that is 1 inch wide and 6 foot long I think. I just ran this the length of the tailgate on the plastic bend of the cap so that none of it is on top of the tailgate cap textured area but is on the curved area below it. The 1 inch wide fit perfectly and is stuck really well. It holds the back flap just fine. I was going to leave it off but didn't like the amount of road spray coming in under the flap. It's been on there since mid September and I drop the tailgate frequently peeling the velcro each time and the stuff is still sticking tight to the plastic. It was fairly inexpensive so replacing each year shouldn't be a problem. We'll see how the heat in the summer treats it.

 

i just hit a number and have some money to burn but not enough for a fiberglas cap.
3 questions----anyone have a pic of a silver truck with softoppers charcoal color?
how much weight is it total?
how many inches is from the framework to the bed?
i haul a dog box that has a top lid that opens and i need to know it it will clear.
thanks in advance

 

First one ripped during install(it was pretty cold out). Got the new cover out in today.

 

Along the seem by the front female clip

 

Anyone thought about a third brake light option? I leave my topper up all the time and just really thought about my brake light being covered up.

 

I just took mine off...think i'm only going to use it for when I go camping

 

Where did you get that bar to bolt up the bike fork mount. Great idea

 

I made that at work. The ends and blocks were machined square and spaced on the mill. I posted more pics in the "transporting bicycles" thread.