How to Protect a Car's Convertible Top: Tips and More

Convertible cars have their own charm, but they also need a little extra care. How it looks and how long it lasts depend on how carefully it is used and maintained. There is a lot of things to bear in mind such as when to keep it down and how to according to the type of material it is made of. Not maintaining it right can result in early deterioration and spoil the look. Plus, it can lead to expensive repairs or maybe a replacement.

Here is a complete guide to help you protect a car’s convertible top that may aid in avoiding extensive damage and costly repairs.

HOW TO PROTECT CONVERTIBLE TOP: VINYL AND FABRIC

Read on to learn how to protect the convertible top of a car according to the type of material used by the manufacturer and how to clean them:

CLEANING VINYL TOPS

For vinyl tops, make sure you are using gentle car shampoo. Also, ensure you have a feathered bristle brush that would release the dirt and other particles from within the textured areas of vinyl.

Do not use shampoos that have gloss enhancement properties. It is because these products are ideal for exterior, metallic surfaces but are detrimental to convertible tops.
Use a cleanser that is designed to dissolve grease and grime without traces of soaps or detergents. Apply it on heavy dirt and grime.
Spray the top of your convertible with water and apply a cleanser including a built-in protectant for mould and mildew. Using a brush, gently scrub the area and rinse.

PROTECTING VINYL TOPS

Once you are done with the cleaning, you have to protect a car’s convertible top using a vinyl convertible top protectant. It helps preserve the colour, texture, cracks, and over time fading. Vinyl protectant stops discolouration and keeps the fabric protected against the sun’s harmful UV rays, while also resisting dirt and grease accumulation.

You must begin from the very start if you want to keep your soft vinyl top in prime condition. It is because once damages start to sit in, they become irreparable. Carry our weekly washes with a gentle shampoo, vinyl cleanser and apply convertible top protectant once per month to retain the prime condition of vinyl top.

CLEANING FABRIC TOPS

The process of cleaning fabric-made convertible tops is similar to cleaning vinyl tops, except for the fact that you have to use fabric-specific cleansing products with a rigid brush for scrubbing dirt. During the manufacturing process, fabric tops of convertibles are treated heavily to repel water and impurities but this treatment is time-limited. With environmental influences, maintenance, and care, the treatment wears out over time. As a result, you must inspect for water pudding or wet spots on the fabric that would indicate water saturation. If identified, send your fabric top for another treatment.

PROTECTING FABRIC TOPS

Again, similar to how you applied protectant on vinyl tops, you have to apply a fabric-specific protectant once the top is washed and dried thoroughly. Apply a few coats, let each layer dry before applying another coat. Make sure you use a small amount with each application to avoid wetting. It is best to use convertible top protectant monthly for optimum results.

HOW TO PROTECT CONVERTIBLE TOP IN A CAR: TIPS & TRICKS

In this section, we will discuss tips to protect your car’s convertible top no matter what the fabric is. Whether it is fabric, canvas, or vinyl, always make sure you are not purchasing any cleanser that contains citrus, bleach, silicone or petroleum ingredients in its composition. It is because they destroy the top’s ability to repel water, leading to the breakdown of seals, seams, and invalidating vehicle warranty.

Therefore, we reiterate that shampoos free of detergents and glossing agents are ideal for washing any convertible top. If you apply these instructions and carry out the tips, your convertible top can last 5 and up to 7 years.

Some other points to take care of on how to protect convertible tops are:

Do not leave a convertible top down overnight.
Do not put the top down when the temperature falls below 60 Fahrenheit.
Go for hand washing instead of automatic car wash.
Make sure the convertible top is not unused for a long time with the top down.
To clean plastic windows, do not use paper towels or glass cleaners.

Let’s discuss some tips in detail that are important to protect a car’s convertible top.

KEEP IT OUT OF THE SUN

As is understood, ultraviolet rays of the sun are damaging to any surface, not the least of which is a convertible top. You might think the sunlight will get your car dried in an hour and will proceed with the car wash. However, it is never recommended to wash cars in direct sunlight as the car soap and other cleaning chemicals tend to dry far too quickly on a hot surface. This will hamper the functioning of the protective coatings that you apply during the wash. Therefore, always clean your convertible top indoors or on a cloudy day.

GET A SEPARATE BRUSH FOR EVERYTHING

Most people don’t take it seriously but hear it from any professional car detailing technician and you will know how important it is to have an array of car washing brushes. To clean a convertible top, not any brush will do. As your tyres require a different brush so does your convertible top to be properly cleaned. The best you can get is a soft, bristle brush, made of horsehair or Nylex to gently rub on the fabric and not mar the pattern on a vinyl top.

TAKE OUT THE DEBRIS

A seemingly clear convertible top might have dirt and debris trapped along the seams, around the rear window or under the bottom edge. It is wise to blow off, brush and thoroughly vacuum the trapped debris before you wet the top for washing. You can use a vacuum with a brush attachment for this part. It is because cloth tops are significantly affected by dirt and dust settling into the weave of the fabric that acts as abrasion later on.

TAKE CARE WITH THE CHEMICALS

There are various car interior cleaning products and chemicals for various areas of the vehicle. To ensure better cleaning quality of the top, using various chemicals, protectants, cleaners and conditioners is mandatory. Make sure that appropriate chemicals are used to clean and preserve your car’s convertible top.

For a quick tip, a vinyl top is cleaned with the same car washing soap (without gloss enhancers) that is used for the rest of the vehicle. There has to be a separate chemical for the fabric. To protect your car’s convertible top, do not use dish soap, ammonia, bleach, vinegar, detergent, and other household chemicals on the convertible top.

BE GENTLE WHEN CLEANING/WASHING

cleaning car's convertible top — Clean car’s convertible top with foam brushes with gentle hands

Be gentle when it comes to cleaning or washing your car’s convertible top. Either dusting the dirt off, scrubbing using convertible top care products or soap, vacuuming or simply drying, make sure not to be harsh. Abrasive buffeting with towels or brushes and pressure wash can damage the surface of the convertible top. It’s best to do it with cloth and foam brushes to gently wipe off debris and dust using the appropriate cleaners.

Use water and a microfiber towel to clean the window on the convertible top to prevent scratches and water spots. You can also use a clear plastic cleaner for this.

DRY BEFORE APPLYING PROTECTANT

Although a vinyl or cloth top is already treated to resist the effects of UV light, the treatment wears off over time. You need to apply convertible top protectants in its place. Before you do so, always make sure the top is thoroughly cleaned and completely dry. Keep the top up while it dries to prevent spotting or mildew. Inspect for any wet areas and give it another hour to completely dry it off. Once done, apply a coat to restore UV protection and waterproofing for six to eight weeks.

It is necessary to protect a car’s convertible top because they are exposed to sunlight and other environmental elements every single day. The factory treatment fades away with the usage, which is why appropriate chemicals and protectants alongside application recommendations should be kept in mind when cleaning the top. It is usually safe to take a convertible to a soft-touch, automatic car wash but it’s not recommended for some models. You can check for it in your car’s manual.

Remember to clear all areas of debris when putting the top down to avoid permanent damage to plastic and glass windows To ensure quality and proper cleaning, get in touch with a car’s convertible top cleaning service provider. Also, if you plan to do it yourself, follow the car cleaning tips. If the top malfunctions when going up or down, do not force it. Contact a professional to sort it out.

Besides, if you wish to buy another car with a convertible top, you may consider second-hand models that are worth buying in the UAE. Some of the used cars in the UAE with convertible tops of popular brands are:

Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more tips and guides on cars and their parts’ maintenance.

Tips to Take Care of Your Car’s Convertible Top