Below is a list of FAQ's that I and
others have been asked. Thanks to Lemmy Caution and Tom S. for their contributions.
Q: Are
there installation instructions available?
A: Yes…click
below
Porsche Tech Bulletin - Installation of Tonneau Cover
Tonneau Cover Templates
Q: Do I
need to drill holes in the metal to install the cover?
A: Yes…(7
drill holes in total…4 in metal, 3 inside the car)….2 holes are drilled
under the mirrors, 2 on the Cabrio Cover, 2 in each seat back and one in
the center of the dash top. In addition 1 screw from each dash-mounted
speaker is replaced with a Tenax Screw. (That’s a total of 9 Tenax
Screws)
In addition
the installation instructions call for holes to be drilled in the under
side of the Cabrio Cover so the Velcro tabs can be pop-riveted into place.
I choose to super glue these in place instead.
Q: How
hard is it to drill the holes?
A: Drilling
of the holes is relatively easy. You need to make sure the templates are
correct and when drilling in the Cabrio Cover it is a good idea to have a
drill stop installed. (You can make a drill stop by taking a 4” length of
duct tape and winding it on the bit the tape should be torn lengthwise to
make it ½ wide) Also it is a good idea to drill a pilot hole with a
smaller drill bit when drilling into the metal.
Q: How
come I have 9 Tenax Screws but only 7 Tenax Fasteners?
A: When
installed (car covered) the 7 Tenax Fasteners attached to 7 Tenax Screws
on the car (3 on the dash, 2 under each mirror and 2 on the Cabrio Cover).
Two extra Tenax Screws are installed in the back of the seats to allow you
to clip it in place when driving
Q: How
long does it take to install the cover?
A: 3-5 hours.
If you have a 10mm hole punch, a bit quicker.
Q: How
long does it take to open the Tonneau Cover so you can drive?
A: When I
timed it last, it was 65 seconds for just the drivers’ side. Allow 3 min
for both sides
Q: What’s
the purpose of the Tonneau Cover given the Boxster has a 12 second top?
A: The
Tonneau Cover is more about form than function. It’s a great retro look as
well as having a number of benefits. In cold weather with just the
drivers’ side open it provides a warmer environment. Plus if you regularly
park with the top down this gives you a way to do so while still
protecting half the cockpit. Also it reduces the use of the electric top
(which is a good thing) and the maintenance needed on the plastic rear
window.
Q: How do
the Tenax Fasteners attach to the cover?
A: The base
plate of the Tenax Fasteners unscrews. You then insert it into the hole
you have punched (drilled) in the cover and then screw the base plate back
on. You can tighten the base plate using a golf spike tool.
Q: The
installation instructions call for the screws that go in the Cabrio Cover
to be shortened. What does that mean?
A: You need
to reduce the length of the 2 screws that go into the Cabrio Cover after
you have screwed them in half way. You need to unscrew the screws and then
cut/grind 3mm off the bottom. Be careful not to ruin the thread on the
remainder of the screw.
Q: The
installation instructions say the seats needed to be folded forward for
the cover to be installed. This leaves a large bump in the cover and I
doubt the cover will fit?
A: Others
and I have folded the seats back. It does not seem to fit if the
seats are folded forward.
Q: When I
print the Porsche supplied installation templates they seem to be the
wrong size. How do I get them to print the correct size?
A: The
easiest way is to use the templates on my website which are in PPT format.
Tonneau Templates in PPT Format
Q: Can I
still use the Windstop if I install the Tonneau Cover?
A: No…. but
you can still use the 2 mesh grill windstops if you want.
Q: Since
you don’t have the Windstop any more is it too windy?
A: Its maybe
30-50% more windy, so it is definitely noticeable…but you did buy a
convertible to get wind in your hair right?
Q: Is
there any reason not to use a Tonneau Cover?
A: Yes..IMHO
if your right seat is regularly occupied I would give it a miss. It’s too
much of a pain to cover up both sides when parking. Plus the Tonneau Cover
is water proof, but I would not want to test that, so its best used during
prolonged period of good weather.
Q: My
cover comes with a red clip. What is this for?
A: This
installs in the top of the windscreen where the Cabrio Top hook goes. This
clip disables the Cabrio Top. (Because if you push the button accidentally
when the cover is installed you would damage your car). The clip also
turns the motion sensor of the alarm on (which is normally only active
when the top is up).
Q: When
the cover is off, how noticeable are the screws?
A: Not very
IMHO. In fact I only notice them when I am cleaning the car.
Q: How
hard is it to clean the Tonneau Cover?
A: Its made
from the same material as the Cabrio Top, so use that as a base line, but
remember the Tonneau can be taken off which makes it easier to clean.
Q: The
installation instructions say you need to pop-rivet the Velcro tabs to the
underside of the Cabrio Cover. Is that really necessary?
A: I took a
short cut and superglued mine in place. If you have access to a pop-rivet
gun then this is the recommended approach.
Q: Are any
special tools required to install the cover?
A: Yes…the
more unusual are (at least for my garage)
-
An angle
drill (to drill center dash hole for Tenax Screw)
-
10mm hole punch is highly desirable. If you don’t have a hole
punch, then the holes in the cover can be made with a drill, but this
is time consuming and difficult to get a “clean” hole.
-
Metric
drill bits
-
A grinder
to shorten 2 screws
Q: What
are some quick hints to installing the cover correctly?
A: Yes
see below:
-
Fully
read and understand each step in the Installation instructions. If you
have any questions email me first.
-
It is
highly recommended you do the installation with some assistance.
During several steps a second pair of hands is of great benefit. Plus
you may need some moral support in order to drill that first hole!
-
Make sure
it’s a hot day and the cover has spent several hours in the sun to
expand
-
When
punching the holes in the cover make sure you are clear of the side
binding on the cover (make sure that the fasteners will also clear the
binding)
-
Make sure
you punch the holes in such a place that the cover is a tight, but not
impossible to fit. It helps to re-align the tonneau right before you
start punching holes and to align it after each Tenax Fastener is
installed.
-
When
drilling in the metal start by drilling a pilot hole with a very small
drill bit. That will make it easier to drill the 3mm hole.
-
Make sure
you have the right size templates!
-
Make a
template for the Velcro tabs which go on the underside of the Cabrio
Cover
-
If you do
not have access to a 10mm hole punch then you will need to drill the
holes in the cover. The cover needs to be installed to mark the
position to drill the holes. In order to avoid having to remove and
install the cover 7 times during the drilling process, you can drill
each hole while the cover is on the car by using an old telephone book
as backing.
-
Tighten
the Tenax Fasteners using a golf spike tool
-
The
installation instructions call for attaching the center hook under the
passenger side dash. An easier place to hook it is the rear edge of
the center console (passenger side)
-
Be
careful when attaching and releasing the hook as it can slip and hit
you in the face! You have been warned..lol
-
Its a
good idea to use a rear window protector when using the Tonneau Cover,
since the plastic rear window can easily be scratched when the cabrio
top is down for extended periods. Porsche sells a rear window
protector and so does
www.986solutions.com You can also make one easily by buying some
felt material and cutting out a shape to match the rear window. To use
the protector start by putting the top down and stop when the rear
window is bent at 90o. Then place
the protector over the top of the rear window and continue to lower
the top. The protector will now stop the plastic window from rubbing
against itself.
