Hard top and wear

[Jkalplus1]

I'd like to put the hardtop on one day to experience driving with it.  I've never put it on, it sits in its padded rack, under covers.

My question: does driving with the hardtop wear the paint or chrome anywhere at all?  I am thinking vibrations and such. 

Thanks!

Jerome

[71Beige280SL]

In my experience, if the seals are good, it does not.

[w113dude]

My question: does driving with the hardtop wear the paint or chrome anywhere at all?  I am thinking vibrations and such. 

This would have been an insult to the German engineers,
I don't think you should worry about that, In my opinion pagodas looks their best with hard top on.

[49er]

The only "wear" you will have is if you don't get things lined up just right when putting the HT on. Completely different car when it is on. Two cars in one:-)

John

[Bonnyboy]

From what I can tell, the hardtop will only damage your car only if you try to put it on by yourself.   It is a beautiful fit.   

Get some help though - the hardtop is heavy - and wow what a different car it creates. 

My 15 yr old daughter helped me place the hardtop on my car and we didn't scratch it at all.  Now whatever the PO did was a different story. 

[Flyair]

Bonnyboy,
as long as you didn't scratch your child with the HT, that's OK

[Jkalplus1]

This would have been an insult to the German engineers,
I don't think you should worry about that, In my opinion pagodas looks their best with hard top on.

I will offer full apologies to the engineers when they show up with chrome or paint money.  I cannot afford to "try" stuff.  I like the two tone look, but for me it is a summer toy that will never see rain.

I agree with the looks.  It does look great.  I think I perfer soft top up for looks myself.

Other rubbing places:

-Up in the door sills.  Body flex does this I think, and I noticed paint wear there in the upper part on both sides above the door latch, half the size of a dime.  Even if the door does not touch the sill when the car is sitting still.  I think it can only be attributed to body flex during driving.  I like spirited driving, but not spirited like Bullitt, and I get a bit of flex.  I cannot feel it though.

Also, the soft top frame, which is a "normal thing" for these cars I am told.