Db9 Volante Roof care

[dkatwa]

hi all...still thinking of a DB9 Volante. Is there any special treatment required to protect the roof, either annually or some other interval?
thanks

[gmacdb9]

I have one. I have followed the advice on this thread here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[dkatwa]

thanks gmacdb9....amazing writeup...so much patience!

[yeti]

Mine is seven years old, 40k miles and still in great nick. They're designed to survive outdoors, it's a car!

I don't doubt that it will need to be replaced, I'd esimate about 3-4 years time..? A few points of wear on it where it folds or rubs.

Good quality bit of fabric

[dkatwa]

thanks yeti...reassuring to know it is built to last a long time..never having had a convertible, I was not really sure of the maintenance requirements for the roof...

[yeti]

dkatwa said:

thanks yeti...reassuring to know it is built to last a long time..never having had a convertible, I was not really sure of the maintenance requirements for the roof...

Grant or the Book of Grant will confirm but I believe it was improved later as well. Very happy with mine though, you'd struggle to know you weren't in a coupe from a noise perspective with it up

Mikey K has some info about how to protect the parts that rub the roof on the mechanism.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

I found that the C pillar area of the top (both sides) seems to quickly become permanently creased/wrinkled and therefore doesn't look very good (you can see this in pretty much any decent photo of the top). The lighter the top color the more noticeable. I have several older Jags and the tops really do look as new after 20 years, whereas the Volante looks worn after only a couple years.

I was worried when I noticed this on my Volante, but quickly came to realize 'they all do that'. Still doesn't make it alright...

Edited by DB9VolanteDriver on Friday 5th July 19:25

[gmacdb9]

yeti said:

you'd struggle to know you weren't in a coupe from a noise perspective with it up

Not quite sure how Yeti knows this, as far as I can tell from this forum he has never tried to drive his with the roof up.

But I agree with him. If you have never had a convertible before and are worried (like me before I got mine) that you might end up driving around with a flapping piece of canvas over your head (any Morgan drivers here?), don't worry, with the roof up you may well believe you are in a Coupe.

Edited by gmacdb9 on Friday 5th July 21:03

[paddy328]

I've started using gtechniq fabric protectant now too. One to look at.

[moveover]

dkatwa said:

hi all...still thinking of a DB9 Volante. Is there any special treatment required to protect the roof, either annually or some other interval?
thanks

Twice a year, clean it, let it dry, go over it with a lint roller (from any dry cleaners), then scotchguard it (I use nearly a whole can for mine).

[yeti]

gmacdb9 said:

end up driving around with a flapping piece of canvas over your head (any Morgan drivers here?)

Me

But I have NEVER put the roof up on it so don't know. Not sure if I'd know how to

[yeti]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

I was worried when I noticed this on my Volante, but quickly came to realize 'they all do that'. Still doesn't make it alright...

Yep, got it too, on the same coloured roof! Not bothered TBH.