Feel the wind in your hair

You always wanted a convertible. To be able to put the top down

and feel the wind in your face was your ultimate goal. Now you have

one. But you can’t just wax it or use any kind of vinyl cleaner on

it, so what can you do to protect your ragtop? For routine

maintenance of your convertible top, use a lint roller or packing

tape. This will lift off any dirt on the top. Another tip is to carry

a bottle of no-salt seltzer water in your car to clean bird droppings

which are highly acidic and can damage your top quickly. Remove the

top of the bottle and shake it. Then using your thumb, spray the area

to clean it. Washing your convertible top by hand is strongly

recommended. You should do it in the shade. Vinyl tops should be

cleaned with a regular vinyl cleaner, while cloth tops should be

washed with a fabric guard or softener diluted with water. Do not use

conditioners, vinyl preservatives or hot water. If you live in an

area that has hard water, add a water softener until the water feels

slippery. Wet down your entire car. With a sponge or soft bristle

brush, apply the soap to the top. Do not use a stiff bristle brush,

as it can scrape and damage your top. If there is a particularly

strong stain, do not use dry cleaning solvents, detergents, organic

solvents or any cleaners that contain silicone, as they can cause a

permanent stain. Use cleaners that are especially made for canvas

tops. After the top has been cleaned, rinse it thoroughly, making

sure to remove all the soap and then wash the rest of the car to

remove any lingering traces and to prevent streaks. You may park the

car in the sun in order to dry the top. If the top is wet, do not

lower or cover it. Mildew can grow, causing rotting and

discoloration. To help protect your top from the sun after it has

been cleaned, use a fluorocarbon-based product. Convertibles come

with plastic or glass rear windows. Each type of window requires a

different type of care. For glass windows, use products that are

water-based and are for cleaning glass only. Take extra care, so the

cleaner does not drip into the seams or heat seals. For plastic

windows, use a cleaner especially designed for plastic windows. Rinse

off any loose particles first, then use mild soap and plain water.

After the dirt has been removed, apply the cleaner. Do not use a

circular motion, as this could damage the plastic. Use a side-to-side

or top-to-bottom motion, or blot the window. There is more to caring

for your convertible top than cleaning it. Here are some dos and

don’ts:

* Follow the directions in the owner’s manual on how to raise and

lower your top.

* Do not put anything in the space where the top goes when it is

folded down. This could damage your top, window or frame.

* Put the top up after you are done using it. Leaving it down can

lead to creases in the material, scratch the plastic rear window and

cause the top to shrink.

* Do not raise and lower your top in temperatures below 40

degrees. Do not park your convertible under trees during summer

months.

* If you have a plastic window, do not put the top down before

cleaning the window. Any grit on the window will rub against the

window like sandpaper.

* Do not park in the sun, if at all possible. If you must, park

facing south, particularly if you have a plastic rear window. This

will help keep the sun from baking your plastic. As you raise and

lower your top, pay attention to any irregular motions. Over the

years, the frame and its components can get out of alignment. The

seals, top frame pads or straps, the side and rear cables, and the

rain rails may all need to be replaced to avoid leakage and water

damage. You may also have to replace the top. If you do, make sure

you also replace the water seals, or you could get wind noise and

leakage. Leave everything in the up position for a couple of days to

allow it to adjust to the frame. Remove any rust and repaint the top

frame. Buying and repairing a convertible top can be expensive. The

last thing you want to do when the warm days come is to take the time

to have a new top installed. With a little care, you can prevent this

from happening and get the full benefit of owning a ragtop.