[iadimitrovski]

I have a 2007 CLK 350. Is it okay to open up the top after the rain when the water is beading on it? Does the car have a way to let the water get out of the inside where the top is housed and keep the hydraulics from getting wet? Or do I have to wait for it to get dry before opening the top?

 

[miko1aj]

Soft tops should be used when dry only,
otherwise damp stains and scrub marks will likely form.. You may get away for a limited time, but to me it's a big no no. 😃

 

[iadimitrovski]

Soft tops should be used when dry only,
otherwise damp stains and scrub marks will likely form.. You may get away for a limited time, but to me it's a big no no. 😃

Okay, but it’s not dangerous for the car’s hydraulics or anything right? Basically the reason why I’m asking is because I’m thinking that all that water goes into the compartment where the top and hydraulics are when the top is down.

 

[miko1aj]

Well you are inviting water / moisture to the soft top compartment so chances are that over time corrosion will occur, plus you're putting excessive load on the soft top mechanism as a wet soft top weighs a lot more than a dry one. It's your call.

 

[rudeney]

It's unlikely than a small amount of beaded water on the top will damage anything, but like @miko1aj says, it's not a good idea. If you have a lot of rain or dew and this is a problem, here's an option. Go get some Rust-oleum NeverWet for outdoor fabric and use the whole bottle on your canvas. Put Rain-X on the rear glass. Now, if the top is wet, all you need to do is drive for a minute and all the water will be gone. One word of caution, though. The NeverWet is so good at making water not stick to the canvas, when you get in and out of the car and there is beaded water on it, be prepared to have it all roll off the canvas and onto you!

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Not the best idea. I usually do not open it when it is soaked. Use a neverwet on the top so you do not have to worry about a soaked rag top.