SOFT-TOP MATERIALS
The first thing to understand about your soft top is its materials. Without this understanding, it's hard to appreciate its maintenance requirements.

Most modern convertibles and roadsters have soft tops made of a durable polyacrylic/polyester canvas or vinyl.  The fabric-like canvas tops feel nice and look great, while the vinyl tops are more economical and easier to maintain.  Fabric tops have a tight weave, but they breathe.  Unlike vinyl tops, a canvas top is not waterproof, it is only water resistant.  To make the canvas top waterproof, it must be treated.  Without protection, the canvas top is susceptible to leaking and stains.  Likewise, vinyl tops need protection from the sun and pollutants.  If you're not sure whether your top is fabric or vinyl, check with your dealer.

The rear window on your soft top is special, too.   Many soft-top cars have rear windows made of a clear vinyl.  This allows the window to fold.  These clear vinyl rear windows will absorb a wide range of gasses and liquids, including water, acids and hydrocarbons.  Because vinyl has the ability to absorb foreign materials, it will yellow over time if it is not properly maintained.  Most often, the yellowing and discolouration are the results of ultraviolet (UV) light cross-linking.  That is, the vinyl is not directly affected by the sun's UV rays, but what it absorbs can be.

Fabric convertible tops (mistakenly referred to as 'canvas') are considered to be the best. These are not vinyl (and not canvas), but a laminate consisting of several components, a top layer of a solution-dyed acrylic textile, a middle layer of butyl rubber or urethane, and the poly-cotton headliner.

The acrylic textile is very UV resistant...that's why it's used in this application. However, it has no inherent soil resistance or water or oil repellency. Therefore, in order to keep the topping material clean, after lamination the topping material is treated with an industrial agent to resist soiling, water & oil based stains.

After a year or so, fabric convertible topping starts to lose is soil and stain resistance...owners begin to notice the fabric gets wet and has to dry out when it rains. The top doesn't leak because of the layer of butyl rubber (that's what it's for). However, wet fabric is an indication that the top can now soil or become stained and that it is time to treat the top with an appropriate fabric protector to prevent soiling and staining.

Unfortunately, the fabric protector products that can be easily purchased at automotive chain stores and large retail chains are the only ones convertible owners have available to them. And these consumer grade products are no where near powerful enough to do the job necessary on fabric convertible tops...insufficient repellency, inadequate durability. This is where 303's fabric protector product comes in. is the only fabric protector specifically designed for outdoor textiles and indoor fabrics exposed to the sun. 303 HTFG easily out performs consumer grade fabric protectors as well as the industrial quality fabric protectors which are not available to consumers.

HARMFUL AGENTS
Common cleaning products can be very harmful to your soft top. Chemicals you should not use on or near your top include ammonia, bleach, detergent, alcohol and vinegar.

Detergents, bleach and harsh acids will quickly deteriorate canvas, whereas ammonia and alcohol will dry and cloud vinyl. Take my word for it, you don't want to know what it will cost to replace your soft top.  It makes for a really, really bad day.  So please, know the chemicals you use before you apply them to your top.

CLEANING YOUR SOFT TOP
Your car's soft top is subjected to the same environmental conditions as the rest of your car.  However, although it is easy to see when your car's body is dusty and dirty, it is not always easy to see when your top is dirty, especially if it's black or navy blue.

Fabric tops should be washed using a soft brush and a soap that does not contain detergents or conditioners.  If the top is properly protected and conditioned, the water will bead. One of the biggest wear factors for canvas tops is dust in the canvas.  Dust settles into the weave of the fabric and begins to act like sandpaper.  Vinyl tops will also experience premature wear from dirt, but not as readily.  In general, you should care for your top each time you wash your car.  This does not mean you need to scrub it each time, but a good stiff rinsing is necessary.  The following steps are recommended:

Wash your soft top at least once a month (or when it is dusty or dirty) with a non-detergent-based auto shampoo.  If your top is not dirty, rinse it thoroughly with plenty of cool water.  Make sure the shampoo you use does not contain gloss-enhancing oils.  If the shampoo contains oil, the top will absorb the oil and become a dust magnet.  The recommended product is diluted to about  30:1  or greater with water.
 

The recommended tool for washing is a soft scrub brush.  Do not use a cloth, chenille-covered sponge or lamb's wool mitt, as they will leave lint.  If your top has soil marks, stains or bird droppings, use a small, stiff upholstery scrub brush.  If you can rub the brush across the back of your hand without scratching your skin, it's safe to use on your soft top.  Do not, however, use a scrub brush on the vinyl window.  It will scratch.  

Make sure you rinse the top thoroughly with a stiff stream of water to remove all of the shampoo and dirt.

On canvas tops, dry using a synthetic chamois or microfiber towel.  The best method is to use the towel or chamois to blot up the water.  Don't wipe.  Do not use a terry cloth towel or diaper to dry your canvas top, as they will leave lint.  On vinyl tops, a synthetic chamois or microfiber towel will also work well, as will cotton towels.  On vinyl windows, microfiber towels seem to work best.

Soft-top Stains
Sooner or later, your top will be inflicted with a stain that will not come out with regular shampoo.  Common stains include bird droppings, tree sap and grease.  For these occasions, you will need to use a stronger cleaner that can penetrate and release the foreign matter. Spot treatment with will remove most stains  but  dilute appropriately first

Your first inclination will be to scrub the stain with the regular shampoo.  DON'T!  All scrubbing will do is spread it around.  To remove stains from your canvas or vinyl top, use 303 Fabric Cleaner  Spray it liberally on the stain before washing the whole top.  Let it soak in, but don't let it dry.  After it has soaked for 3 to 5 minutes, rinse your top and wash as usual.  Rinse the stained area with a stiff stream of water.

WINDOW CLEANING
If your convertible is new, no doubt you have experienced the frustration of polyvinyl fog.  Polyvinyl fog is created by the evaporation of plasticisers (oily hydrocarbons) and other oils.  Plasticisers are used in the manufacturing of vinyl to keep it flexible.  They are also used in many car care conditioners to rejuvenate vinyl and plastic.  Plasticisers remain liquid and evaporate with the heat of the sun.  This off-gassing is worse with new cars, and then it gradually decreases to a manageable level.  Severe off-gassing can also be caused by using too much dressing on your dashboard.

The best tool to clean your convertible's vinyl window is a nonscratch microfiber towel.  Do not use a paper towel, as it can scratch the vinyl.  It is best to detail the window (inside and out) after washing the car.  Follow these steps:

Rinse the chamois or microfiber towel thoroughly with water to ensure it is clean.  Wring out most of the water, but leave it damp.  If the chamois is too dry, it will not slide across the window.  Microfiber towels are not as temperamental.
 

Fold the chamois or microfiber towel into a square.
 

Wipe in one direction across the window.  Turn the cloth or chamois, using a clean side with every other pass.
 

To clean the inside of the rear window, kneel in the passenger seat (roadster) or in the rear seat (convertible).  It may take you a few times to learn the best way.  The taller you are, the more difficult it will be.

PROTECTING YOUR SOFT TOP
As I mentioned earlier, canvas tops are not waterproof.  To make a canvas top waterproof and stain resistant, it is necessary to treat it with a protective spray.  The only treatment I recommend is  .

Although vinyl doesn't need waterproofing, vinyl tops do need protection.  Using a good vinyl top protectant, you can prevent discolouration damage from road grime, pollution, salt deposits, leaf gum and bird droppings.  For vinyl top protection I recommend  303 Aerospace Protectant.  Vinyl tops should be treated monthly.

Before you spray your soft top with protectant, it must be clean and dry.  Use a scrub brush and a full .75-ounce dose of top or car  shampoo to deep-clean the top or use at the appropriate dilution to remove grease and dirt.  Applying the canvas top protectant is best done in conjunction with waxing.  Your prewax cleaner or polish will remove any potential overspray.

Canvas Top Protectant Instructions
No special requirements are needed when using . However a calm day is recommended and placing a towel over the vinyl window will keep off any overspray.

Spray a  light coat  of Fabric Guard on the whole top. Do not over wet  ensure all areas are covered and pay particular attention to the seams where the fabric Guard will “wick” into the material and seal the rubber moulding.  Allow to dry overnight or if in a hurry you can dry it with a hair drier.  Test for water repellency (the water should bead and run off)  and apply a second light coat if required.

Vinyl Top Protectant Instructions
303 Aerospace protectant is very easy to use,  simply apply a small amount to the roof or a cloth and wipe over to cover. Buff dry with a clean Microfibre or terry towel

PROTECTING & POLISHING THE REAR WINDOW
Your convertible's vinyl rear window is fairly delicate.  It can be easily scratched with little more than normal use or the wrong cleaning tool.  Be sure that any rags you use on your rear window are pure cotton.  Don't use diapers on vinyl.  Almost all diapers use polyester thread, which will severely scratch the clear vinyl window. On the vinyl windows in your convertible top, SUV soft-top, or boat enclosures,  `303’ is the best thing you can do for plastic windows!

What's the right way to maintain the plastic windows in my soft-top?

The material used for the 'plastic' windows in convertible tops, soft-tops, boat enclosures, etc. is a specialised type of vinyl called 'Pressed Polished Sheets', or 'pressed poly'. The material is actually two layers of non-coloured vinyl laminated together under intense pressure and high heat. This process squeezes out all the impurities and renders it perfectly clear.

This material is soft and easily scratched and is not made in rolls but in sheets, which are separated by paper. Also known as 'sheet goods', finished stock is always gently rolled and then stored and shipping standing vertically, never laid down. Pressed poly is known by its gauge - 20 gauge is made from two 10 gauge pieces, 40 gauge from two 20 gauge pieces, etc. On clear vinyl plasticise loss and UV exposure cause embrittlement, yellowing and failure. Like all vinyl, clear vinyl contains plasticisers (to keep it soft and pliable) and UV stabilisers (to retard UV degradation)

Clear vinyl loses its plasticisers much more rapidly than top-coated vinyl. An UV protection added in the manufacturing process is less effective each day. Consequently, if clear vinyl windows on a vinyl soft-top are not properly cared for, they can fail within 2-3 years while the vinyl top itself will last for years longer.

PROPER CARE
Cleaning: All manufacturers recommend first rinsing off the vinyl to remove any grit which might scratch the vinyl. Then using a little real soap (Ivory) in a bucket of cool water and a very soft cloth, suds up the clear vinyl then immediately rinse with cool water. (Never use cleaners or even detergents, just soap).

Visibility: Minute scratches disappear for improved visibility.

Resists scratching: 303 reduces the drag coefficient of treated vinyl to next to nothing. Deflects away abrasive touches that would otherwise dig in and scratch. Particularly important in applications where vinyl windows are continuously rolled up and unrolled.

Repellency: 303 leaves a super-repellent, anti-static finish. 303'd vinyl repels smudges and fingerprints, takes much longer to soil and is much, much easier to clean when finally soiled. With 303'd vinyl all that is usually necessary is just to rinse it off before reapplying 303.

Encapsulation of Plasticisers: 303 Aerospace Protectant bonds with clear vinyl in such a way that encapsulates and reduces outgassing (evaporative loss of plasticisers) to maintain softness and flexibility and significantly increase its useful life.

UV Screening: 303 Aerospace Protectant is the only effective vehicle to achieve and maintain maximum UV protection. Periodic applications of 303 Aerospace Protectant will keep clear vinyl looking and performing like brand-new year after year and will dramatically extend its useful life.

OTHER TIPS AND HINTS
Proper care of your soft top goes beyond regular maintenance.  You can also extend its life and beauty by providing a little extra care when lowering and raising your top.

While the engineers have done a wonderful job of designing a top that folds into a small space, canvas and vinyl tops do not always fold flat.  It is best to lower the top halfway, and then smooth the canvas or vinyl to ensure it does not bunch, gather or buckle.

One of the worst enemies of your soft top is itself.  When lowered, your vinyl window is in contact with itself.  As you drive, road vibrations cause the top to rub on itself.  Over time, this will begin to leave scratches and other marks on the window.  To prevent this, you can use a small piece of fleece or soft cotton (not terrycloth) to protect the window.  As you lower your top, after smoothing the wrinkles, lay the fleece across the window.

SUMMARY
Your soft top can provide many years of beautiful service, but only if you give it the proper care and handling.  Keep your top clean, and protect it as needed.  When water stops beading on your canvas top, its protection from the sun and water are gone.  Vinyl tops need more frequent protecting, as often as once a month.

Regular use of , and , will ensure a long life for your fabric or vinyl top. Keep it in perfect condition with our or .

Convertible top care

The modern roadster is a masterpiece of beauty, performance and superior engineering.  We own these wonderful machines because they warm our souls.  Like yours, my blood stirs each time I twist the key and the engine comes to life.  Top down, sun on my back, wind in my face, eating up the road . . .  Could anything be better?

Unlike coupes or sedans, roadsters and convertibles have special requirements.  Where the roadster's and convertible's fully enclosed brethren sport steel and glass, the topless car has canvas and vinyl.  This simple difference creates a myriad of challenges for the soft-top owner.