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The fabric/cloth or vinyl material that your convertible top is made from, although durable, is more delicate than the painted steel or fiberglass that the body of your car is made from. This is why it is vitally important to protect your convertible top and keep it protected as a part of your maintenance regimen.
Should I cover my convertible?
The Cover Up The main thing to consider when storing a convertible (as compared to other cars) is of course the soft top. The most important part of storing a convertible is to put the top up. Even in a garage, snow isn’t the only element you’re protecting against in the winter months.
Do convertible tops need to be treated?
Protecting Your Convertible Top One that I strongly recommend is RaggTopp Protectant. The two products I recommend for vinyl top protection are Raggtopp Vinyl Protectant and 303 UV Protectant. Both offer super UV protection. Vinyl tops should be treated monthly!May 29, 2018.
How do I protect my convertible top from the sun?
To Protect: Once the area is clean, use a vinyl protectant to preserve the texture and color to help prevent fading or cracking. Many protectants do more than just prevent discoloration. They protect against the sun’s harsh UV rays, repel grease, oils, and dirt without making the top look glossy or greasy.
What is Stayfast canvas?
Stayfast Canvas (View) is an elegant, durable canvas original to cars like the Mazda Miata and the Nissan 370Z. Stayfast is commonly used in replacement convertible tops. Stayfast canvas has an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a cotton backing.
Can you leave soft top convertible outside?
Soft top convertibles can be kept outside but it’s better to keep them garaged, especially during the winter months when they’re more susceptible to being damaged by the cold, wet conditions.
What is the best way to protect a convertible top?
Always wash convertible tops in the shade, never in direct sunlight. Always wash the entire convertible top at one time, never spot clean as this will leave rings or spots. Wet convertible top thoroughly and rinse off any loose dirt.
How do you waterproof a canvas convertible top?
Spray the entire convertible top with a thin layer of the waterproofing product. Apply two or three layers to the seams of the convertible top as they are most vulnerable to moisture and therefore damage. The product will need time to soak in. Park your convertible in the sun and let the waterproofing product dry.
What do you call the cover for a convertible top?
Two convertible top parts which are sometimes easily confused are replacement boot covers and replacement convertible tonneau covers. A boot cover (also sometimes called a “parade cover” or “top cover”) covers the top opening.
How do you get bird poop off a convertible top?
If the droppings have been left for sometime, then I recommend that you leave the Fabric Soft Top Cleaner on the soft top for about 60 minutes, then scrub the affected area with a bristle brush and hand hot water. A nail brush is ideal for this purpose!Jul 24, 2018.
Can you use Scotchgard on convertible tops?
Can I use Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield on my convertible top? We do not recommend it. Scotchgard™ Products comply with all applicable laws and regulations and are safe for their intended uses.
Can you put Armor All on a convertible top?
Armor All® Car Wash is ideal for vinyl. For tough stains on convertible tops, try Armor All® Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner or Armor All® Cleaning Wipes for a quick and easy way to clean your car’s fabric surfaces. You can also use Armor All® Original Protectant to clean, protect and shine your vinyl top.
Do convertible tops fade?
1. A properly maintained convertible top lasts an average of 5-7 years. 2. Never put a convertible top down when the temperature is below 60 degrees.
How can I extend the life of my convertible top?
How To Extend The Life Of Your Convertible Roof Lubricate. It’s really a joy to drive your car with the convertible top down, especially during the summer. Wash Your Roof Properly. Apply A Vinyl Protectant. Clear The Deck Before Putting The Top Down. Take Advantage of Portable Car Shelter.
How do I know if my convertible top is vinyl or cloth?
The best way to test whether your convertible top is vinyl or fabric is to place your hand on the top and feel for yourself. If it looks and feels similar to tent material, then you have a fabric roof, but if it looks and feels like grained plastic, then your top is in all probability, vinyl.
What material is used for convertible tops?
Most cloth (canvas) convertible tops are made using three plies: an acrylic square-weave outer layer, a butyl rubber inner material and a cotton drill lining layer. These tops are available in a range of colors, such as several shades of blue, several shades of white, black, beige, tan, gray, green, brown and burgundy.
Is canvas a cloth?
Canvas is a plain-woven fabric typically made out of cotton and, to a lesser extent, linen. Canvas fabric is known for being durable, sturdy, and heavy duty. By blending cotton with synthetic fibers, canvas can become water resistant or even waterproof, making it a great outdoor fabric.
What happens if you leave a convertible open in the rain?
Vacuum Up Standing Water If you left your convertible top open long enough to really get hammered by rain — or if the storm was especially fierce — there’s a strong possibility that you’re dealing with an inch or so of standing water on the floor of your car.
Can I leave my convertible in the rain?
Susceptible to leaks Roof materials have improved, but not enough to guarantee that water will stay outside. Whether you drive a hard-top or soft-top convertible, heavy rain and snow can still make you susceptible to leaks.
Do soft tops need to be garaged?
If you don’t have a garage to store your convertible in, it is worth investing in a car cover. Soft top covers aren’t just important in the colder, wetter months; the sun’s uv rays can damage soft tops, not to mention general grime, tree sap and bird droppings.
How often does a convertible top need to be replaced?
Tops generally last 10-12 years depending on care, storage, maintenance, and amount of use. That being said, we have seen tops that are 15 years old that still look good so there are many factors.
Can convertibles go through car wash?
Most convertibles are safe for automated car washes, according to the car wash industry. Millions of convertibles are washed successfully every day, and they are designed to do so without causing damage to the vehicle.
Do you need to waterproof convertible top?
Weather-proofing Keeping the rain out is an important job for the convertible roof, but to do that successfully, you need the material to be waterproof. From new, most soft tops are treated with some sort of chemical proofing agent, but as the years roll by, you’ll need to keep it treated.
How often should you waterproof a convertible roof?
Usually one treatment per year will be sufficient to keep most convertibles roofs sufficiently protected and looking their best but for more heavily used vehicles, or ones that are kept close to trees and greenery then it may be advisable to protect your top every six months to ensure it remains properly protected all.
Do convertibles cost more to insure?
Auto insurance rates can vary greatly between vehicles. A basic rule of thumb, especially for collision and comprehensive coverage, the more your car is worth, the more it will cost to insure. So, to make a long story short, convertible cars cost more to buy and, therefore, convertibles can also cost more to insure.
