Convertible Tops are expensive to buy and repair. You will get the most our of your convertible top by taking proper care of it. Follow the guidelines below to maximize the life of your convertible top operation
Opening and Closing Your Convertible Top
- Always follow the instructions in your owner's manual for lowering and raising our top. Unlatch your top at the front before unzipping your rear window or zip the window closed before latching the top unless the owner's manual or top manufacturer direct otherwise.
- Do no use your convertible top boot ( the space where the top goes when it is folded down) as storage. Even small items stored there can damage your top, window and frame. This is especially crucial it your top has a glass rear window.
- Put the top up after driving with it down. When your top is folded and scrunched down in the well, it is wearing and rubbing against metal parts and itself. Scratches in the rear plastic window increase with every vibration of your moving car. Also, creases in the topping material become more pronounced the longer your top is stored in the well of your car.
- Tops should not be left folded down overnight.
The Sun and Your Convertible Top
- Do whatever you can to keep sun off your convertible top- park in the shade or use a car cover. The sun destroys the material over time.
- If you must park in the sun and you have a plastic rear window, park facing south when possible. the sun moves across the southern sky during the day. Parking with the rear window facing away from the sun will keep it form "baking" during long summer days.
- Periodically inspect your top and window for early signs of wear or damage. If you spot these, your top can often be saved by a timely convertible top repair or rear window replacement.
- Use of the 303 Convertible Top products will help reduce sun and weather damage- it has a UV protector in it. We carry the full line of 303 Products.
Dos and do not's................
- Do not lower your convertible top and/or the rear window curtain when the temperature is less than 40 degrees. If your top has a plastic rear window, don't fold temperature is less than 60 degrees.
- Do not lower your convertible top and/or rear window curtain when the top is wet to avoid mildew, discoloration or other damage to the topping or inside backing.
- Do clean the plastic window before folding your top down. If your window is left dirty, grit on the window inside the fold works like sandpaper on the plastic ads the car moves.
- Do use common sense and resist the urge to perform one of our Silly Convertible top Tricks.
Cleaning your Convertible Top
Consult the owner's manual of your car for the manufacturer's advice on top cleaning. If omitted or incomplete, follow the instructions below. Washing
- When cleaning your top, Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling recommends vacuuming it first (if it is a cloth top) ,using an upholstery brush attachment to pick up dust, dirt, bird dropping, ect... If your top is clean simply rinse it with water and your' re done. You don't always need to wash your top with soap when you wash your car.
- If your tops needs washing, we recommend hand washing it in the shade. When done, put the care in the sun to dry the top. While the top should never be e folded down wet, install top boots and tonneau covers while still damp to preserve fit and shape.
- RAGGTOPP cleaner or 303 Cleaners is the only products Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling recommends for top cleaning. We recommend it because it is the only cleaner recommended by the The Haartz Corp.. Makers of 99% of the worlds top material. use it on both canvas and vinyl tops, as well as boot covers, SUV tops, tonneau covers, ect.. Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling always 303 Products for sale in our office.
- Wet the top and spray Cleaners evenly over the entire roof. Let stand for 1-0 to 15 minutes, then use a sponge or soft bristled brush to lightly scrub the top. Never use a stiff bristle brush because it can scuff the outer vinyl or canvas layer. After washing, rinse the top thoroughly to remove all traces of soap.
- Use cool to lukewarm water on the top. If you live in a hard water area you will want to soften your cleaning water. Do not use hot water.
- In spite of our recommendation, some people will still use a car wash to clean their convertible. I you use a care wash use on that uses water jets and hanging clothes heavy barrel brushes can damage top materials. Do not let the car wash put spray wax or other chemicals on the top.
Heavily Soiled Areas
Heavily soiled areas may require extra attention. Let the Cleaners stand on these areas for longer periods and try several cleanings.. For other suggestions see Haartz Corporations webisite at www.haartz.com.
Protectors
Once clean, your top can be made more resistant to soiling and ultraviolet sun damage by application of fluorocarbon protectorates products. Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling recommends Raggtopp and 303 Products for vinyl tops and Fabric Protection for canvas tops. Apply two or three light coats to a dry top allowing 10 minutes between coats. When finished put in the sun for an hour to cure the protectors UV stabilizers. Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling Carry these products in our office.
CLEANING CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOWS:
- Glass rear windows: Clean glass windows with water-based glass cleaners. Do not allow the cleaner to drip into seams or heat seals. Heater/defroster glass windows should be cleaned very gently to avoid damage to the element lines and/or the power source connection.
- Plastic rear windows: Plastic rear windows should be cleaned in the shade. the first step is toe get the fine gritty off the window. We recommend thoroughly rinsing loose particles off the window. Next, use a damp cloth or paper towel to "blot"up the remaining grit, turning the side after each blot. Use a blotting motion - not side-to-side, up and down or circular motions- these movements can scratch your window. After all the grit is off the window wash it with mild solution of dish soap and water. If the window is not the "scratch-resistant" type. a plastic polish specially made for plastic windows can then be applied as a final cleaning step. Finally, apply. 303 Vinyl Protectorate to give the window an extra layer of UV protection. We do not recommend the use of any other products on your window.
