How to wash a convertible top

Begin by vacuuming your soft top and use a brush to remove any loose debris. Then apply the cleaner evenly on the top and let it sit for around 15 minutes. With a soft bristle brush, use circular movements to gently scrub the top of your convertible car roof, allowing the cleaner to get rid of stains, grime and dirt.

Most Convertibles Are Car–Wash-Friendly

Every car is quality-checked to ensure water-tightness … the top frame is very rigid to be able to handle going up and down at up to 31 mph, so a car wash brush is no issue.” Mercedes-Benz also confirmed that all of its convertibles are safe to drive through a car wash.

A properly maintained convertible top lasts an average of 5-7 years.

To Protect:

Once the area is clean, use a vinyl protectant to preserve the texture and color to help prevent fading or breaking. Many protectants do more than just prevent discoloration. They protect against the sun’s harsh UV rays, repel grease, oils, and dirt without making the top look glossy or greasy.

The main thing to consider when storing a convertible (as compared to other cars) is of course the soft top. The most important part of storing a convertible is to put the top up. Even in a garage, snow isn’t the only element you‘re protecting against in the winter months.

If you take good care of the fabric, leaving the top down several overnights will not hurt anything. Occasionally leaving it down one night will certainly not hurt anything – in a garage.

There’s one crucial thing to keep in mind: As much as you may feel tempted to try some DIY repairs or installation, replacing a convertible top can be a complicated task. If it is not performed correctly, you can cause a fatal leak, damage to the interior, or even catastrophic failure.

Wash the convertible top

To properly clean a convertible top, spray it down with a hose or a pressure washer. If you use a pressure washer, just remember to hold it about a foot away so that the pressure isn’t too strong. Fortunately, the water should remove about 70 percent of the dirt and dust.

Spray the entire convertible top with a thin layer of the waterproofing product. Apply two or three layers to the seams of the convertible top as they are most vulnerable to moisture and therefore damage. The product will need time to soak in. Park your convertible in the sun and let the waterproofing product dry.

Susceptible to leaks

Roof materials have improved, but not enough to guarantee that water will stay outside. Whether you drive a hard-top or soft–top convertible, heavy rain and snow can still make you susceptible to leaks.

To protect your convertible top, once clean, a vinyl protectant should be utilized to help preserve the color and texture and help prevent breaks and fading. Protectants are used not only to prevent discoloration, but they also protect the top from the sun’s harmful UV rays and resist dirt and grease.