How to protect convertible soft top in winter?
Although a garage is ideal, convertibles can also be stored outside. In this case, you need to really consider a water-resistant yet breathable cover, one that is thicker for cars parked outside and a proper, snug fit.
Although a garage is ideal, convertibles can also be stored outside. In this case, you need to really consider a water-resistant yet breathable cover, one that is thicker for cars parked outside and a proper, snug fit.
If you don't have a garage to store your convertible in, it is worth investing in a car cover. Soft top covers aren't just important in the colder, wetter months; the sun's uv rays can damage soft tops, not to mention general grime, tree sap and bird droppings.
Freezing temperatures make the vinyl less flexible, and this can result in cracking. You don't want to attempt to lower the soft top when temperatures drop to below freezing. The flexibility in the soft top material is what makes it able to move around freely. But cold temperatures restrict that.
To expand on this in more detail, you need to be extremely cautious when clearing snow or ice from your soft top because when the vinyl top gets overly cold or even freezing, it becomes far less malleable, making it prone to cracks and breaks.
45-50 degrees when it is sunny, slightly windy and in town. 50-55 degrees when it is sunny, in town or on the highway. 60-90 as long as it isn't raining, top is down, A/C is off.
Clear the snow off the soft top
Snow sitting on a car can weigh up to 15 pounds per cubic foot, which means that if you leave the snow sitting on your car's soft top for a while, it could damage the soft top frame. To prevent that from happening use a snow brush or broom to clean the car off from time to time.
Spray up to three light even coats of Fabric Convertible Top Protectant allowing protectant to completely dry between coats. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe off any excess overspray on paint, trim or glass. Apply every 6-8 weeks for maximum UV protection and to protect against the harsh environmental elements.
It won't hurt if you splash a bit of foam onto your convertible's soft roof, but directly spraying it onto your soft top is a bad idea. Snow foam is designed to work with all kinds of car paintwork, but not with fabric roofs. Use some proper soft top cleaner for your convertible roof, not snow foam.
Like anything else, it's best to store your car in a cool, dry place. You want the temperature to remain neutral (not too hot and not too cold). A barn may seem ideal, but a dirt floor will hold moisture and cause undercarriage corrosion.
How long do soft top convertibles last?
A properly maintained convertible top lasts an average of 5-7 years. 2. Never put a convertible top down when the temperature is below 60 degrees.
Always protect your leather or faux leather top from moisture and inclement weather per the manufacturer's instructions. Moisture from humidity, rain, sleet, or snow can cause mold and mildew and also crack or peel the soft convertible top.
Packed snow, however, weighs more: two feet or more of old snow is enough to exceed weight limits. Old snow and new snow combined can easily exceed load capacity. Just two feet of each could collapse a roof. And don't forget to add ice to the equation.
A convertible (soft) top is made from vinyl-coated fabric. It's not only perfectly waterproof but very durable as well. Once locked in the closed position, and properly sealed to the windshield frame, they normally don't leak. So in that sense, they're no different than a hard top.
Wet snow and ice are heavy and can put pressure on the roof. If there is too much pressure, this can cause damage to the roof or, in extreme cases, collapse. Remove snow from flat roofs, such as on porches and sunrooms, as they are more prone to damage and collapse since they do not clear as fast as a pitched roof.
- Fairly expensive to purchase.
- Rain makes quite a bit of noise on the roof.
- Insurance is often more expensive.
- Less practical.
- Less luggage space.
- Roof is sensitive and requires more maintenance.
It is speed dependent. If you are cruising under 40 MPH, top up or down won't affect mpg that much. Over 50 mph will start to make a difference. At 100 mph you'll get better mileage with the top up.
The air conditioner in some convertibles is designed to keep the interior cool even with the top down. Most often this means you need to drive with the windows up, but it provides a great way to keep cool on hot days.
Armor All® Car Wash is ideal for vinyl. For tough stains on convertible tops, try Armor All® Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner or Armor All® Cleaning Wipes for a quick and easy way to clean your car's fabric surfaces. You can also use Armor All® Original Protectant to clean, protect and shine your vinyl top.
Can I use Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield on my convertible top? We do not recommend it.
Should you take a convertible through a carwash?
Most Convertibles Are Car-Wash-Friendly
No limitations. 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.”
There's no better way to restore a clean soft top than by applying a very light coating of vinyl protectant, such as Inside & Out Protectant. To apply it, mist a foam applicator or clean microfiber with a light spray of protectant and massage evenly over the top.
It is important to protect your convertible top because water, pollution, and other contaminants can seep into it and cause it to deteriorate. Convertible Top Protectant adds a layer of protection that prevents water and other pollutants from seeping into the top and damaging it over time.
A car cover will keep your paint from fading and scratching, your interior from discoloring and cracking, and vinyl and convertible tops from disintegrating.
No! As we said above, snow foam isn't a car shampoo and shouldn't be used as a contact wash. Unlike a car shampoo, snow foam doesn't contain any lubricant to help cloths glide over your car's surface, so wiping it off can cause scratches on your paintwork.
We always recommend spraying snow foam onto a wet car. This way you can get most of the top layer of dirt off the car before the foaming starts. So fire up the pressure washer and give your motor a quick rinsing down.
Do I really need Snow Foam? If your serious about your paintwork then yes you do. If you take into consideration everything we have talked about so far, not using Snow Foam greatly increases your chances of scratching your paintwork by rubbing around dirt and contaminants.
Keep it clean
If the temperature allows, it's usually safest to wash your convertible by hand. But when that's not possible, take it to a soft-touch, or touch-free, car wash, recommends Justin Pritchard from Auto123.com.
Simply add the alcohol and water into the spray bottle and shake. Then, spray the solution on the frozen window close to the bottom. The ice that's freezing your window shut will slowly melt, including any ice inside your door.
Do not leave the top down on your car when you are no longer in it. This has not been a good idea since the bird was invented. And birds are not the only animals that might wish to visit the interior of your car. There are also skunks, squirrels, cats, dogs, wild turkeys.
How often should you waterproof a soft top car?
Apply to a dry top and allow Vinyl Ultra Proofer to dry completely before applying further product or taking out in the rain. Use at least every 3–6 months.
The Estimated Price For Replacing A Convertible Top Runs From $900 To $1500. The price of replacing a convertible top is largely dependent on the make and model of your vehicle. But in most cases, the costs include the following: One replacement top (including pop rivets, staples, hold-down cables, and adhesive)
Why are convertibles more expensive to insure? A convertible may cost more to insure because of the higher purchase price it carries. In general, vehicles with a high price tag will cost more to repair or replace, so insurers charge more to cover the higher cost of a potential physical damage claim.
Yes, you can put a soft top through a car wash, but remember, not all car washes are made equal. The older nylon brush types are fairly rare these days, but they are safe to use on an infrequent basis. We would have more concern about their effect on your paintwork than your hood.
Keeping the rain out is an important job for the convertible roof, but to do that successfully, you need the material to be waterproof. From new, most soft tops are treated with some sort of chemical proofing agent, but as the years roll by, you'll need to keep it treated.
Both hardtops and soft-tops can be prone to leaks. Also, as with anything mechanical, a convertible roof's opening and closing function can deteriorate over time because of wear and tear.
Yes, homeowners insurance covers roof collapse caused by the weight of snow, ice, or sleet. But a roof that was previously damaged or in bad shape may not be covered, so it's best to keep your roof well-maintained.
Traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, clay tiles and wood shake, are porous and may not be the best choice for homes in snow-prone regions.
Metal roofing is a great choice for homes in places with extreme winter weather. Snow and ice slide down metal roofs, relieving any worries about standing water on the roof. Metal roofs with standing seam panels and rib panels are among the most resilient and weather-resistant roofing systems on the market.
Here's why people drive around with the top down and the windows up: Because it eliminates blowing wind. If you've ever attempted to drive around with a convertible top down and the windows also down, you'll notice that the blowing wind — especially at high speeds — is just massive.
Is a convertible as safe as a roof?
The IIHS found that newer convertibles (1 to 5 years old) are no more dangerous than hardtops in terms of accidents and traffic fatalities. The IIHS suggests that while convertibles are not mechanically safer than other vehicles, driver habits and behavior when behind the wheel of a ragtop may account for the numbers.
A Never, never use a roof rake or try to shovel snow off a slanted roof. It will do no good, will not cure ice dams, is extremely hazardous and can harm asphalt shingles and, in your case, slate shingles. And it will take away snow that is a natural insulator as long as it stays on your house.
It's important to brush and clear the snow off your entire vehicle, including your roof, windows, headlights, and hood. Leaving snow or ice on top of your vehicle is extremely dangerous to other drivers on the road. Snow and ice flying from other vehicles can cause accidents and even damage other cars.
But a good rule to keep in mind is if more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice has accumulated on your roof, you should have it removed. Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming.
Where Do I Store My Convertible? It's important to store your convertible indoors, out of the ravages of bad weather. Like anything else, it's best to store your car in a cool, dry place. You want the temperature to remain neutral (not too hot and not too cold).
Spray up to three light even coats of Fabric Convertible Top Protectant allowing protectant to completely dry between coats. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe off any excess overspray on paint, trim or glass. Apply every 6-8 weeks for maximum UV protection and to protect against the harsh environmental elements.
It won't hurt if you splash a bit of foam onto your convertible's soft roof, but directly spraying it onto your soft top is a bad idea. Snow foam is designed to work with all kinds of car paintwork, but not with fabric roofs. Use some proper soft top cleaner for your convertible roof, not snow foam.
Can I use Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield on my convertible top? We do not recommend it.
Once the top is clean, apply a very light coating of vinyl protectant. This simple treatment will bring back the deep color of your fabric or vinyl convertible top. For this job, we recommend Inside & Out Protectant.
Moisture from humidity, rain, sleet, or snow can cause mold and mildew and also crack or peel the soft convertible top.
