How Can You Maintain The Soft Top Of Your Coupe or Corvette?

Imagine heading down the open road with the wind blowing and the sun shinning on you in your sweet coupe or convertible. Stress and worries begin to quickly melt away as you soak in the views.  To keep your stress level down and your rides in sweet coupe or convertible, you need to make sure your car is in tip-top shape.

One area to focus on is the soft top.  Here are some tips to keep your soft top in tip-top shape.

Surviving The Elements

Whether you live in a region that battles tough winters or rainy springs and summers, your coupe or convertible has to be able to handle whatever Mother Nature stirs up.  For those who have snow or wintry conditions wreak havoc on vehicles, you have to come up with a winter maintenance plan.  Keeping your coupe or convertible covered or inside a garage or shed will help keep the soft top in great working condition.  Do not store or allow anything to accumulate on the soft top.

For those that experience pounding, stormy weather in spring and summer, should make sure that the soft top is protected from excessive water damage.  Again,, try to cover the vehicle with a tarp or keep the vehicle inside a garage or shed.

Inspect Mechanical Parts

The soft top of a coupe or corvette is operated with either electric or manual power.   For a coupe or corvette equipped with an electrical switch, the soft top is raised and lowered with a flick of the switch.  For a coupe or corvette equipped with a manual power, the soft top is raised and lowered with a pull and latch system.  To ensure that the soft top is working properly, inspect these mechanical parts for any problems or damages.

With an electric powered soft top, make a safety check on the switches and fuses to see if they are working efficiently.  Also, check the hydraulic pump for the accurate level of the fluid and there is no evidence of leaks.  With a manual powered soft top, make a safety check on the brackets, snaps and hinges to see if they are working efficiently.

Prep The Surface

Before you are ready to give your soft top a dose of love and attention, you should inspect the top for debris and marks.  A soft, bristle brush or a lint-free microfiber cloth can be used to clean away marks or debris.  Make sure the cloth does not have abrasive components because it will scratch the surface of the soft top.  Abrasive components are described as chlorine, alcohol and bleach.

Scrub A Dub

After the surface of the soft top is cleared of dirt and debris, you can clean the soft top with a cleaner made for soft tops.  Again, make sure that the cleaner does not contain any abrasive components.  Regular cleanings with soap and water are fine but it is recommended to clean the soft top with a commercial cleaner twice a year.  If the soft top is vinyl, a commercial cleaner designed for soft tops should be used.

Peering Through The Looking Glass

Once you have cleaned the surface of the soft top, special attention needs to be taken when cleaning the window.  Soft top windows are either glass and plastic and must be cleaned with a different cleaner then what is used on the soft top.  For glass windows, a glass cleaner used on regular windows can be used.  Conversely, a plastic window can’t be cleaned with regular glass cleaner.  A plastic window will sustain damage if a regular cleaner is used.  A cleaner specifically designed for plastic windows should be applied.