Convertible top proactive maintenance
#2
There are some aftermarket straps you can get. (search)
Parking it in the shade/garage when not driving the car.
Keeping the top from getting dehydrated - use a product like 303 Protectant.
They all wear out in time though. If you can get 10 years out of a soft top you are good. Mine is a 2007 so I'm guessing the top is now 12 years old (I'm pretty sure my car was built in late 2006). I've got a few very small tears in it which I could probably ignore for a couple more seasons but I'm replacing it this year anyways it looks tired.
Parking it in the shade/garage when not driving the car.
Keeping the top from getting dehydrated - use a product like 303 Protectant.
They all wear out in time though. If you can get 10 years out of a soft top you are good. Mine is a 2007 so I'm guessing the top is now 12 years old (I'm pretty sure my car was built in late 2006). I've got a few very small tears in it which I could probably ignore for a couple more seasons but I'm replacing it this year anyways it looks tired.
#6
Parking out of the sun is probably the best thing you can do. My 2003 has the original top with minimal wear and no tears. It is stored 6 months every year for winter and is garaged in the summer. I do use 303 Protectant 1-2 times a year.
#7
For 5 or 6 months a year the car is garaged. The joys of living in the great white north Never sees rain unless unexpectedly caught out. It has sat out a fair bit on sunny days when I was at work. I did make use of a car cover quite often during the summer. Also used 303 often from day one.
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#8
Registered User
I also use 303 on my top, coating both sides each time I wash the car. Also try not to drop the top when the car is parked in the garage or in some shade. Letting the car sit in the sun for a few minutes before putting the top down helps the top slide better. I also help guide the rails of the top so I can reduce the chances of making the side tear worse (Came with the infamous tear). The patch I made for her has been holding nicely for a few years now and has not gotten any worse.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
#9
Mine sits in a garage top- down 95% of the time in May-October.
Top goes up and down <10 times/year.
For winter storage, I leave the top up but UNLATCHED. ie no tension on the top. This probably helps life of the top
BTW- '06 w/32000 miles
Top goes up and down <10 times/year.
For winter storage, I leave the top up but UNLATCHED. ie no tension on the top. This probably helps life of the top
BTW- '06 w/32000 miles