How to Take Care of Your Soft Top

Introduction

Soft top covers are delicate and require a specific type of care to look good, function well, and last longer. If you neglect your soft top, you will see its condition deteriorate over time. So to keep your convertible healthy, be sure to give it the attention it needs, and that starts with cleaning. The cleaning and care process for convertible soft tops is pretty much the same for both fabric and vinyl tops. 

Wash

First and foremost, just as with the rest of your car's exterior, keeping your soft top nice and clean can extend its lifespan and keep it looking fresh. Rinse any loose dirt off and apply shampoo. Clean the top using non-scratching bristle brushes or washing mitts and rinse again.

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Apply Convertible Top Cleaner Spray

Using a soft top cleaner is helpful regardless of whether or not you are planning on applying protectant. It is good to carefully clean any greasy areas or stubborn particles that cannot be easily removed. And that can be done using special convertible top cleaner products.

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Brush the Top

Having applied the cleaner spray, start getting rid of any little bits and pieces stuck to the fabric. Use the bristle brush and gently brush all uncleaned areas of the soft top thoroughly to make sure it is completely spotless.  

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Rinse

Then, rinse the top off completely and when its dry, check to make sure it is has been properly cleaned. If you still see dirty areas, you might need another round of cleaning. At this point, you can choose whether or not you want to seal the fabric with a protectant.

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Apply Soft Top Protectant

When the top is completely dry, you can go ahead and apply the protectant and repellant product. These solutions provide protection against harmful UV rays that cause the soft top to age and its color to fade. They also act as a shield against water and other elements that could be detrimental to the condition of your convertible top and keep it looking good for longer. The protectant spray should not get on painted surfaces. So take caution and mask off everything you don't need to spray.

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Check for Leaks

Inspect the top carefully and thoroughly to make sure there are no trouble areas or leaks. The last thing you want is for your convertible to have failing seals or even worse, cracks. While fabric tops are more susceptible to cracking over time, vinyl tops still need to be taken care of just the same to maintain their condition and quality.

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Keep out of Sunlight

And lastly, a piece of information that every soft top convertible owner should know: Stay out of the sun. There is no worse enemy for beautiful soft tops than those pesky UV rays. And while being hit by the sun from time to time is inevitable, try to avoid letting your soft top being exposed to direct sunlight for long periods if you can help it.