5 Soft Top Care Do’s and Don’ts
Here at Prestige Soft Tops, we are passionate about convertibles, especially soft tops! If you are a convertible owner, and particularly if your car has a vinyl or fabric roof, you probably understand the importance of caring for and maintaining your convertible roof. But, doing so is not exactly as simple as you might initially think.
Convertibles cannot be maintained in the same way as a regular car, and your particular roof needs special care and attention regularly, in order to preserve both its appearance and its functionality. This involves not only choosing the right products for your roof but also applying the right cleaning methods, as well as taking other measures to protect your pride and joy.
At Prestige Soft Tops, we love talking all things convertibles and convertible roof replacement, so we are happy to share these cleaning and care dos and don’ts with you.
Do: Clean your Roof Properly
This means choosing the best products to work with the material of your roof and applying and using them correctly when it comes to cleaning. For everything, you will need to clean your convertible roof, check out our range of recommended cleaning products.
For vinyl roofs, you need to use a great vinyl, fabric, and canvas cleaner, and all you need to do is gently brush the solution onto your roof with a soft-bristled brush. Take a look at this Wikipedia page about vinyl roofs, for more information about vinyl.
The same Bowden’s Own solution can be used for fabric roofs, though a brush with slightly firmer bristles would be handy.
Important: NEVER use a solvent-based cleaner on either your vinyl or fabric soft top.
Don’t: Use an automatic car wash
In order to be safe when you own a soft top convertible, it is best to stick to handwashing only. When you hand wash your vinyl or fabric roof, you can ensure that you apply the correct amount of pressure during cleaning, whether you use a hose, a high-pressure sprayer on a lower-pressure setting, or a brush.
In contrast, an automatic car wash may be too harsh for your roof and use water pressures that could be harmful to your roof. While the official word from some manufacturers may be that automatic car washes are okay for these roofs, we recommend hand washing at all times to be on the safe side.
Do: Protect Your Vinyl or Fabric Roof
Just as prevention is key to maintaining anything valuable, protection is key as well when it comes to your roof maintenance. A vinyl or fabric protectant is an essential step after cleaning and is designed to act as a sort of sunscreen, protecting your roof from the harsh UV rays of the sun.
At Prestige Soft Tops, we recommend this vinyl restorer and protector for vinyl roofs, and this fabric protector for fabric roofs. Remember to always use the correct product on your roof – that is, the one that corresponds with the particular material of your soft top.
Important note: you must make sure that your roof is totally dry before applying the protectant.
Don’t: Leave your Convertible Roof Down Overnight
It is important that you don’t leave your roof down overnight or for an extended period of time, for more than one reason. Leaving your roof retracted for long periods can expose the interior to the elements, such as rain, wind, and the harshness of the sun.
In addition, when you leave a vinyl or fabric roof retracted, (or folded down), there is the potential for folds or creases to appear in the material of the roof. It is even possible for cracks to form over a very long time, and in this case, it is possible that the only way to fix these imperfections is to replace the entire roof. So, our tip is when leaving your convertible, always remember to put the roof up!
Do: Replace your Soft Top When Necessary
All these tips and tricks will help to preserve and extend the life of your vinyl or fabric roof, but at the end of the day, after a number of years, your roof will need replacing. Check out our FAQ’s about convertible top replacement to understand more, and then choose experts in convertible roof replacement, and that means contacting Prestige Soft Tops.
Need Soft Top Replacement?
Don’t look any further than Prestige Soft Tops. We are experts in professionally installing and fitting soft tops, backed by 10 years of industry experience, and a true passion for convertibles. With a nationwide network of expert installers, we can help you with all your vinyl or fabric roof needs. Get in touch by emailing sales@prestigetops.com.au or alternatively, by filling out our contact form, and we will take care of your inquiry.