How to care for SOT in Winter?

[RAD1]

Hello! This will be the first Winter for my '24 Willys w/ SOT. What is the best product to clean and protect the Sky One Touch top before the first snow fall? And how do I best care for it over the Winter?

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[Heimkehr]

how do I best care for it over the Winter?

Are you able to park the Jeep in a garage?

 

[RAD1]

Are you able to park the Jeep in a garage?

Yes parked in garage overnight but outside at work.

 

[Slate]

This is our first winter with my son's Willys and SOT. His Jeep is parked outside as his school, so it will certainly be exposed to the the elements. Early during the summer we applied this pretty liberally.

https://www.amazon.com/303-Fabric-U...lent/dp/B00KMYYQ36?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Forget who recommend it, but it seemed to work pretty well. We put some on my soft top when I still had it on my Jeep.

FYI, we used a piece of cardboard to protect the paint from any over spray. I think you need to do it while it is somewhat warm, so probably in the garage.

 

[RAD1]

Thanks @Slate. Looks like folks use either 303 or Best Top Twill fabric protectant.

 

[Mgdstar]

I put a heavy duty car cover on when a big snow is coming and helps protect the top when scraping the snow off. Only been through one winter with the SOT but so far so good.

 

[RAD1]

I found this thread that references the top being made from Twill and Jeep recommending the Twill protectant from Bestop. Ordered on amazon.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...his one I can help,just for the Acrylic Twill.

 

[Heimkehr]

Rob -- You might also consider a soft-touch tool, as needs warrant.

 

[RAD1]

^ Already got one!

 

[8ball]

I second the 303 protectant. I use
It and water beads nicely and after a wash I just take my leaf blower and blow it dry. It is parked in the garage which I’m sure makes a big difference with over night frost.

 

[Heimkehr]

I second the 303 protectant. I use it and water beads nicely and after a wash I just take my leaf blower and blow it dry.

I know that 303 is well-regarded by those soft top owners w/the black acrylic fabric. How do you think it would work on the vinyl-ish sailcloth tops? Just curious; that's what I have on my Jeep.

 

[8ball]

I know that 303 is well-regarded by those soft top owners w/the black acrylic fabric. How do you think it would work on the vinyl-ish sailcloth tops? Just curious; that's what I have on my Jeep.

I’d research it a little there are other 303 products that could be better for that material.

 

[Apples491]

I do use the 303 protectant. I also have had 10" of heavy wet snow accumulate on the roof with no ill effect. It's stronger than you think. At this point, I'd only worry about blizzard conditions where the wind might get under the fabric and create some lift. That would both let the weather in and potentially stretch the fabric over time.

 

[Zeddy]

I know that 303 is well-regarded by those soft top owners w/the black acrylic fabric. How do you think it would work on the vinyl-ish sailcloth tops? Just curious; that's what I have on my Jeep.

They have a 303 for fabric and another for vinyl. Use the one for fabric and everything beads off.

 

[BXFXJeep]

I'm 3 years in and going into my 4th winter, I use the 303 fabric guard.

I apply 2 coats in the spring, top up a coat in the summer, then 2 coats in the fall.

Outside of that I think the only time you have to do anything special is if the top gets dirty with mud or similar.

For basic cleaning all I do it wipe the top with a clean microfiber cloth when I wash the vehicle..

I bought a gallon of 303 from Costco.

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