Attn Autokeek staff and forum members...S2000 OEM soft top...fabric or vinyl?

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06S2k07Si

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Hello all...

I'm confused here...I have a 2006 Honda S2000. I have always been under the impression that the OEM soft top is fabric. However I am finding conflicting information. If I use the test that is listed on the website here it is fabric: Convertible Top Care Products. 303 convertible top care and Wolfsteins Raggtopp Products

...but if I look at the listing here it is vinyl:
Imported Vehicles

I have read in several different forums that it is fabric and in others that it is vinyl. In all I know I would certainly believe that it is fabric.

Can anyone help and does anyone know the actual truth?

Thank you, Brian
 
Give the water droplet technique a try. If water disappears into it then it's fabric. If water stays on top and forms a mini puddle, then it's vinyl.
 
06S2k07Si said:
Hello all...

I'm confused here...I have a 2006 Honda S2000. I have always been under the impression that the OEM soft top is fabric. However I am finding conflicting information. If I use the test that is listed on the website here it is fabric: Convertible Top Care Products. 303 convertible top care and Wolfsteins Raggtopp Products

...but if I look at the listing here it is vinyl:
Imported Vehicles

I have read in several different forums that it is fabric and in others that it is vinyl. In all I know I would certainly believe that it is fabric.

Can anyone help and does anyone know the actual truth?

Thank you, Brian
Click to expand...
To make doubly-sure (if this is an OEM/OEM replacement top):

-Have you checked with Honda/Honda-dealership regarding your vehicle's build-sheet?
-Usually supplying them with your VIN will get you the top's material...if different than vinyl.

-Or go to one of your local seat-cover/interior repair shops...They should, or better know the differences between vinyl and fabric.


:)

Bob
 
Cg6LeMoN said:
Give the water droplet technique a try. If water disappears into it then it's fabric. If water stays on top and forms a mini puddle, then it's vinyl.
Click to expand...

Right - this is the easiest way. Also, read the details on a product called "Raggtopp." Its a great product, but more importantly, the product info lists information and show pics directing you on how to tell the difference.
 
As stated in my original post...it did the water test....it certainly seems fabric.

I also purchased the car new so I would have to believe that it is OEM.

Why is the information on the Autogeek website conflicting then? (per my listed links above)

To be clear:

I tested per the test on the Autokeek website and the water DOES sink in...so I would believe that it is fabric. In the listing for a Honda S2000 (on the Autogeek website) it says that it is vinyl. (again...per my links listed in the first post)

Thank you, Brian
 
06S2k07Si said:
Why is the information on the Autogeek website conflicting then? (per my listed links above)
Click to expand...

It's not uncommon for a manufacturer to switch suppliers/materials. A lot of vehicles can be had with vinyl or fabric tops, even the same year.

If the top absorbs water, then it is fabric.
 
Not to complicate things, but if the top has any sort of protection left over on it and is fabric, water may bead up. I'm pretty sure your top is vinyl though.
 
Cg6LeMoN said:
Give the water droplet technique a try. If water disappears into it then it's fabric. If water stays on top and forms a mini puddle, then it's vinyl.
Click to expand...
-If a fabric-top has had a fairly recent 'protectant-product' application,
I doubt very seriously that a water droplet would be absorbed into the fabric.

-If it does...Then this particular protectant-product isn't worth a hill of beans.

JMO...

Bob


BTW...OP:
I might have missed it...But did you purchase this S2000 new or used...
another owner might have had it replaced due to warranty issues.

According to:
Lucky Auto Seat Cover, an over 50 years in busineess in Ohio (you can believe them, or not):

-The Honda S2000 OEM tops were: 2-piece tops made with: TWILL GRAIN VINYL.

-If it's an OEM spec'd replacement due to warranty or its TSB...
the same type of vinyl-material is imported from Japan.
The same as for other Japanese imports.

-If out of warranty/TSB; or Honda won't offer one of their "hidden warranties" to cover a replacement:
There are many after-market vendors offering a facsimile of the OEM top's vinyl material.

-Haartz (and others) makes after-market fabric-replacement tops for S2000's...not for any warranty/TSB replacement though.
 
FUNX725 said:
BTW...OP:
I might have missed it...But did you purchase this S2000 new or used...
another owner might have had it replaced due to warranty issues.
Click to expand...

For what its worth, there are HUNDREDS of aftermarket replacement tops for Jeeps (I know its not exactly the same thing). This could definitely be the case.
 
FYI...I am the original owner and it is the OEM top. I will try to get some pics when I can.

Oh...I have never treated this top as of yet. I never leave it outside for very long. I was planning to treat it over this winter. I did purchase the 303 high tech fabric guard for it, but now I'm glad I didn't treat it yet. I need to find out for certain what material it really is first.
 
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06S2k07Si said:
Hello all...

I'm confused here...I have a 2006 Honda S2000.

FYI...I am the original owner and it is the OEM top.

I have never treated this top as of yet.

I never leave it outside for very long.
Click to expand...


I guess because you never leave it outside for very long that after 6 years of no care it's probably in pretty good shape?


I would look at the edges of the top material and try to look and see or find anyplace where you see worn or stray fabric. Real fabric is made of up individual strings woven together. Modern canvas is not cotton like the old days but actually synthetic acrylic material. For this reason I don't think you can do the burn test as in real cloth burns and plastic melts. A vinyl top is formed, not woven.

Maybe even take a picture of the edges to show us but if this is the factory top then find out from the factory what they came with. You might also join a forum specifically for S2000's as most car specific forums have in-house gurus that pretty much have seen it all and therefore know it all, or at least know a lot.


IF water is pushing into the material I would assume it's some type of fabric material. a true vinyl top is not very porous unless it's old, in neglected condition and on it's last legs...


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
I guess because you never leave it outside for very long that after 6 years of no care it's probably in pretty good shape?


I would look at the edges of the top material and try to look and see or find anyplace where you see worn or stray fabric. Real fabric is mad
e of up individual strings woven together. Modern canvas is not cotton like the old days but actually synthetic acrylic material. For this reason I don't think you can do the burn test as in real cloth burns and plastic melts. A vinyl top is formed, not woven.

Maybe even take a picture of the edges to show us but if this is the factory top then find out from the factory what they came with. You might also join a forum specifically for S2000's as most car specific forums have in-house gurus that pretty much have seen it all and therefore know it all, or at least know a lot.


IF water is pushing into the material I would assume it's some type of fabric material. a true vinyl top is not very porous unless it's old, in neglected condition and on it's last legs...


:)
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply Mike!

Yes my top is in excellent condition. There has been MUCH care given to this car...just no protectant to the top. I am very anal with that car. I did purchase some 303 high tech fabric guard a bit earlier in the year but have yet to apply it. Im glad i decided to wait to be certain what type of material that it is first.

I am part of S2KI – Honda S2000 Community and have been since 2005. There seems to be conflicting information there as well. To be honest, i have only been researching this subject for the last couple of weeks or so. I was under the belief that it is a form of fabric, so I didnt think that I had to go any further with this...until recently.

I have an email in to a person who deals directly with some Honda engineers that may be able to dispel this issue. When I hear from him I will be sure to post it here.

Thank you all again for the assistance.

Brian
 
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I took some pictures tonight. I also re-tested using water. Perhaps I did not look close enough when I tested this the first time. The top's texture is VERY fooling. It looks very much like fabric. When I re-tested with the water again (as you'll see in the pics) the water DOES NOT sink in. I only did a couple of drops at an earlier time before, and when I spread it around it seemed and looked as though that it absorbed in...Well really it didn't. It actually just filled the little pockets in the surface and APPEARED to sink in. I could also NOT feel ANY water through the top to the inside.

I also tried to see if a flashlight would penetrate through the top with the light…thinking that one might be able to see some light through it if it were fabric...it wouldn't. I could not see ANY light through the top. So...is it really a form of vinyl? It would seem that way. If I find out any more information I will be sure to post it here.

I stand corrected...I sure thought that it was fabric! :wow: :doh:

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