Convertible top - lightness and freedom of imagination with a convertible top!
Content
Convertible (convertible) is a special type of car. Nothing compares to hitting the road with the roof open. Sun, fresh air and enjoyment of life go hand in hand in a convertible. To enjoy it for as long as possible, its top needs special care. Read everything you need to know about convertible tops in this article.
Two types - one function
At the very beginning of the creation of the convertible, two competing systems of convertible roofs were used: folding metal top (hard top) и soft top . Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Hardtop
Raised hard roof nothing as good as a standard car roof made of metal or plastic.
 Advantages:– The car can be used all year round– High comfort – Proper wind and weather protection – Robust and not subject to normal wear life of the vehicle. – Makes a removable hardtop superfluous in the cold season. - High burglary protection |
| Disadvantages:– Expensive construction - When folded, it takes up a lot of space in the trunk – Risk of damage in case of oversight (full trunk). |
This design allows you to use the car at any time of the year and significantly increases customer value.
In order to make optimal use of the convertible experience with a retractable hardtop, these roofs are equipped with a complex mechanism of an expensive but convenient design. The folding top has an electric or electro-hydraulic support, making it easier to open and close. Depending on the type of vehicle, the top can be opened and closed even while driving. .
However, its design is complex and expensive. The folded roof reduces luggage space to an absolute minimum. If large items remain in the trunk, the convertible roof may be damaged when folded.
Notable retractable hardtop convertibles:
Mercedes SLK
Peugeot 206 CC
Ford Fairlane (1955-1959)
2. Soft top
The soft top is a flexible fabric covering consisting of one or two layers. . In the past, impregnated fabric was standard, giving this cap its name. Several fabrics are currently commonly used: genuine leather, leatherette, vinyl, coated fabrics and even fiberglass reinforced materials are recycled into a folding soft top.
| Advantages:– Much cheaper than a folding hardtop – Saves more space when folded. – Light weight (fuel savings). |
| Disadvantages:– Limited service life - No burglary protection – Vulnerability, especially to vandalism – Only suitable for all-season use in combination with an expensive removable hardtop. |
"Cheaper" than a retractable hardtop, that's for sure. However, it is important not to be misled by the cost of replacing a fabric soft top: replacement is always expensive, at least a few hundred euros . In the case of a worn fabric upper on a budget convertible, this could spell financial disaster. With proper preventive measures, the life of a soft top can be extended, although sooner or later there comes a point when replacement becomes the only option.
Soft top convertibles often have a functional trunk and are therefore of higher user value in good weather than hardtop convertibles.The light weight of the soft top makes the car lighter. This benefit is only fully available when the convertible top is raised. The folded top degrades aerodynamics to such an extent that fuel consumption becomes inevitably higher.
Sun, wind, salty sea air, UV radiation and temperature changes can affect the top . Mechanical impact causes tears or holes in the tissue. In addition, the gradual embrittlement of the plasticizer leads to damage. Sooner or later, the convertible top breaks. Replacement is the only option.
Fabric tops make the life of thieves a lot easier. For quick access to the interior of the car, a cheap Stanley knife is enough. Therefore: Never leave valuables in the car!
If the convertible is used all year round, hardtop required . In the removable version, only the hardtop is able to withstand the snow load. In addition, the hardtop creates an enclosed passenger compartment that can be adequately heated. Hardtop not usually available less than 1800 euros . Depending on the convertible, this can exceed the cost of the entire car.
Convertible top service
The convertible hardtop does not need special maintenance, with the exception of periodic lubrication of the folding mechanism . It is preferable to do this in the garage due to professional experience regarding neuralgic points. Simple generous spray WD-40 has only a short-term effect and can attract a large amount of pollution.
On the other hand, the soft upper needs special treatment for a flawless look, preparing it for intensive use. . The fabric upper has a rough surface that allows dust to settle. As a result, moss spores can grow into tissues. UV radiation from the sun, chafing of fabric and even microscopic roots of moss, lichen and algae can completely ruin a soft top in a few years. This especially affects the impregnation and the rubber layer. Both dissolve, making the roof brittle. With proper treatment, this process can be significantly slowed down. You need:
1 soap dispenser
1 thick brush or wallpaper brush
1 water hose 1 impregnation spray
stiff brush
The fabric upper is vulnerable. Therefore, it should be washed by hand and certainly not in a car wash!
Start by rinsing the roof with a hose. Never use a high pressure cleaner! A regular low pressure garden hose is sufficient. In addition to washing off the most stubborn dirt, it is especially important to properly impregnate the roof. A high pressure cleaner will do more harm than good. Leave Karcher where he is!
Dirt should be flushed out of the pores of the fabric roofing with as little effort as possible. Paint brush or wallpaper brush soap is rubbed in linear movements. Working across gives the best results. Subsequently, the foam with absorbed dirt is washed off. This procedure should be repeated until the stain is beautifully black and no longer has a moldy green-brown sheen.
A stiff brush is only for areas that a paintbrush can't reach, such as the seams under the rear window, where moss can accumulate. When applying with a stiff brush, refrain from excessive force. It is enough to wipe the seam several times to clean it thoroughly.
After thoroughly deep cleaning the convertible top, allow it to dry. Let the sun take care of it, help a little with the airflow. Compressed air is only useful for seams. Surfaces can be dried with a strong hair dryer. Do not use a hair dryer! When the roof is completely dry, spray it with impregnating spray and you're done.
Weak rear window
Convertible top rear window needs special care . Over time, it fades and becomes covered with an unpleasant yellow coating. This does not necessarily mean a death sentence for the top. To improve the condition of the rear window is available special plastic cleaner. Even if the original position can no longer be corrected, a thorough cleaning can restore an acceptable look and feel.
hole repair
If there are rips and holes due to accidents or vandalism, you will definitely consider refurbishing. Repairing fragile and porous soft roofs does not make sense, as the roof is already dissolving. Retailers offer sticker and patch kits to repair holes and holes, although the result never looks optimal.
We recommend contacting a professional repairman.
When you need a new top
Equipment of the old Ford Escort , VW Golf or Vauxhall Astra Convertible new convertible top financially unfeasible . The original replacement is usually so expensive that it exceeds the remaining value of the car. There is another possibility:
In the United States, an industry was developed for the manufacture of replacement covers for convertibles. . For almost every series of convertibles, interchangeable tops are available at several price points. For a cheap convertible that should last another summer or two, a vinyl top is a practical alternative. They have an acceptable appearance and offer full functionality.
A single ply vinyl certainly cannot be compared to a two ply coated fabric upper. For an experienced craftsman installation would take Saturday evening . If the roof is somewhat tight during assembly, careful use of a blow dryer may help. However, some tension is required for optimal adjustment of the rods.
The sun will do the rest: park the car in the sun with the roof closed but not locked . The vinyl will eventually give way, allowing the roof to be bolted on. This solution is available for. 200 – 300 euro.
