Replacement Convertible Tops? Instead Care For The One You Have
With spring comes one of the classic American past times; cruising on a joyride in a convertible. Whether you drive a Mazda Miata or a BMW Z3, new or old, it doesn't matter... there's no feeling quite like cruising down a country highway with the top down, music blasting, and the summer sun shining down on you.
However one of the dilemmas many owners face are the need for replacement convertible tops after a few years. Unlike automotive paint which is designed to withstand the elements, the sun and snow can be particularly brutal on your canvas top. Even if you are lucky enough to have no rips or tears in it, the harsh UV rays are almost guaranteed to fade the fabric overtime... turning your black cloth top into an ugly gray. You see this frequently with the VW and Miata convertible tops. Unfortunately, this can make an otherwise meticulously maintained late model convertible look aged beyond its years
How to care for a convertible top?
Keep it Clean – Be sure to always keep your canvas top as clean as possible. Using a simple DIY pressure washer (such as at the self-service car wash) will help remove sediment that is build up within the fabric. The last thing you want is the top on your late model Mazda Miata to become permanently stained already because you allowed the dirt to stay on it too long.
Use a Protectant – Just like people wax their paint to protect it, you can also use certain products to protect your convertible top. There are a number of inexpensive ones on the market which you rub on using a cloth. Your local auto parts store should carry several. This is especially important with the early generation Mazda Miata convertible tops because they were made with a less durable, softer fabric which is more susceptible to the elements. After the initial application, be sure to apply the protectant regularly (as often as the instructions recommend).
Avoid the Sun – While this may seem like an oxymoron considering it's a convertible... it's true. When you are not driving it, be sure to keep the car out of the sun. Sometimes this can be difficult though – i.e. Your new Porsche Boxster convertible top that sits in an unshaded parking lot when you're at work. What's the solution? Get a car cover to block those harsh UV rays from prematurely aging the canvas. Spending a little on a car cover and using it daily could save you a lot of money later on by extending the life of your car's convertible top.
It's true that it may too late and the damage has already been done to your car, if it wasn't cared for properly in the past. But, if your convertible top is still in prime shape, you can keep it looking good for years to come by following these simple steps.
Tags: convertible, repair, replace, tops
