The Complete How-to Guide To Soft-top Convertible Care, Protection, & Restoration.

There is no doubt that the convertible is a sleek combination of style, engineering, and fun. But how do you care for your convertible? Find out exactly how in this blog post where we cover fabric vs vinyl, cleaning, protection, stain removal, and mildew removal.

In order to keep enjoying your convertible in optimal condition, you need to take proper care of the fabric or vinyl top. Regular maintenance is simple and easy when you have the right products, tools, and knowledge. By the end of this blog, you will have all of the aforementioned. 

Fabric vs vinyl

Convertibles come in two main types, fabric and vinyl. The first step of maintenance is to determine which your car has. Of course, you can check your car’s manual or VIN number to find out, but if you can’t find the necessary information, use the test below.

The Test

• Take a teaspoon of water and pour it on your convertible top.

• Rub the water into the convertible top.

• If the water soaks in, it is most likely fabric, if it seems to smear, but not soak in, it is probably Vinyl

How to clean

You should clean your convertible top only when it becomes dirty. Unnecessary cleanings can prematurely wear down the material. It’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution, so if your convertible top is not yet soiled, simply hose it down with a strong, but gentle, jet of water. However, you should not use a pressure washer when cleaning the top. There is no reason to use that much pressure and if you get too close, you can fray the fibers causing a frazzled look. Also, you can vacuum your fabric top to remove any embedded dirt from the fibers, but remember to be gentle. 

When washing, do not use any soaps with waxes or gloss enhancers. These will be absorbed by the material and attract dust. Also, it may prevent a proper bond between the convertible material and any protecting agent you may apply. Moreover, do not use a regular wash mitt because the fibers can breakdown and become embedded in the fabric. This is a huge pain to remove, so save yourself the trouble.

• Wash in a cool and shaded area

• Wash the entire top, don’t spot clean as this can lead to discoloration

• Rinse off dirt

• Add suds to the top or spray convertible top cleaner

• Use a soft-bristled brush to lightly agitate the soap 

• Rinse Thoroughly until no soap remains

How to protect

Your convertible top endures the same harsh conditions your car’s paint must endure, so its important to protect it. Just like waxing your vehicle, you should add a protective coating to the soft top of your convertible. This will keep your cars top looking new, prevent the fibers from becoming deteriorated, and - most importantly - prevent leaking. 

Start by selecting the right product for your fabric or vinyl top. If you have a fabric top, we recommend RAGG TOPP Fabric Protectant. It was specially developed for the true convertible top professional and enthusiast to protect and maintain their fabric, vinyl soft tops, and plastic windows from harmful elements.

If you have a vinyl top, we recommend Aerospace 303 Protectant. 303 Tonneau Cover and Convertible Top Cleaner is formulated to clean and brighten Tonneau covers, fabric and vinyl convertible tops, and car bras. Recommend to use prior to treating with 303 Fabric guard or Protectant.

• Start with a clean, cool, and dry convertible top.

• Mask off windows or paint with newspaper and masking tape to prevent overspray

• If possible, do this indoors as a light wind can stir up dust and debris, interfering with the protection process. 

• Always follow manufacturer directions!

• In general, you should lightly mist the entire fabric top with the protectant

• Do not saturate the convertible top

• Allow 15-30 min for the product to dry before applying a second coat.

• Reapply as necessary

How to remove stains

If there is a stain on your convertible top, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. You should use an all-purpose cleaner and a soft-bristle brush. Spray the cleaner onto the stain and gently agitate. Next, use a shampoo machine to suction up any dirty water. Repeat this process as necessary. If you do not have access to a shampoo machine, use a wet/dry vac in its place.

How to remove mildew from the convertible top

If your convertible top has developed mold or mildew, it is a simple process to remove. First, apply a soft top cleaner to the entire soft top and allow it to sit for 15-20 min. Next, re-apply fabric cleaner and scrub with hot water and a gentle brush. Always wear a mask while doing this as mold spores can be a health hazard. Last, thoroughly rinse your soft top. You may have to repeat this whole process until you are satisfied with the final result; it depends on how bad the condition of the top is and how hard you have worked!

How to restore color

To restore the color of your convertible top, you should turn to Canvas Restorer by Protex World. They are a fantastic company that makes the best fabric restorer for fabric and vinyl tops. This product is designed to color restore your faded canvas convertible soft top on the averaged sized sports car. It is specially formulated to color restore your faded canvas soft top this color restorer will present a strong and even finish penetrating deep into your canvas top. 

It is best to apply the product in cool/overcast conditions so that drying time is not too fast and to avoid causing an uneven finish. Shake the bottle well and decant sufficient product into a separate container to apply to the soft top. Then start at the center and work outwards apply the restorer quickly and evenly with a clean paintbrush taking care not to spill any onto the vehicle’s paintwork. Leave for 3 hours to allow the restorer to dry and if required recoat and again allow 3 hours drying time. Do not expose to moisture until the restorer has completely dried.

Conclusion

If you follow our simple cleaning guide, your convertible top will look and perform like new for years to come. No amount of rain or bad weather will dampen your mood after you have properly cleaned, restored, and protected your convertible top. Now that you have the cleanest convertible top in your car club, go out and enjoy it with a nice drive. Thanks for reading and if you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us.