Tips for maintaining convertable top

[serge183]

I just purchased a convertable SS camaro been wanting one for a while now! I'm a bit of a noob about maintaining it does anyone have any tips on what to use and how often to use it for maintaining the top and one more question is it bad to go through a drive through car wash ?

[ambientweather]

Never, ever go through a drive through car wash! Hand wash and air dry the top. There are plenty of products for vert tops.

[pnyklr]

303 products are your best friend. Use a lint roller when the top is dry. Don't put the top down when it is wet.

-Funk

[OrangeVert]

A guy who has been in the top replacement business 35+ years told me always put the top up at night.

Never put a wet top down. No automatic car washes, and I also would not use a water pistol spray gun on the top, only sponge or cloth and sudsy water. And rinse thoroughly, you don't want any soap residue to get in the cracks and dry. Don't put the top down if it's close to or below freezing, water turns to ice and expands in the fibers wearing the top if it is moved. And never store anything behind the rear seat, you will forget and crack the back window when putting the top down. If you can, keep the top covered and/or garaged in the winter.

Verts are fun in the spring, summer, and fall, but require special care. You can't have the purr without the claws, I always tell my wife. Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. It's a Yin / Yang thing. :(

[Nasty1970]

when I wash the car I spray the top, then dry it with my absorber cloth....if you dont have one of these things GET ONE, they are the best thing since sliced bread for cars!!

[Drago77]

+1 on the 303 fabric guard.myself and several others have commented on its quality in several posts, Sux and I have both posted "result" pix showing how 303 seals the top and beads the water off. Definitely a worthy investment.

[Baba]

Originally Posted by ambientweather

Never, ever go through a drive through car wash! Hand wash and air dry the top. There are plenty of products for vert tops.

Originally Posted by OrangeVert

A guy who has been in the top replacement business 35+ years told me always put the top up at night.

Never put a wet top down. No automatic car washes, and I also would not use a water pistol spray gun on the top, only sponge or cloth and sudsy water. And rinse thoroughly, you don't want any soap residue to get in the cracks and dry. Don't put the top down if it's close to or below freezing, water turns to ice and expands in the fibers wearing the top if it is moved. And never store anything behind the rear seat, you will forget and crack the back window when putting the top down. If you can, keep the top covered and/or garaged in the winter...

Absolutely, positively agree on every count. Rock solid guidelines.

Also, NEVER, EVER let anyone borrow your 'vert for a parade, homecoming or anything else, IN PARTICULAR if they want to plant someone's backside on top of the rear seats / top area. You'll curse the day you did and until you trade your 'vert in.

[zbroke]

Guys thanks to all for the advise. I'm a new owner too as of this week and I'm glad I found this forum. The dealer and the manual refer to the top as canvas. The 303 products are referring to vinyl/cloth. Just to be extra paranoid, the 303 top cleaner that is safe for cloth/vinyl is safe for our top and so is the 303 fabric guard treatment correct? I'm referring to the 2011 model.

thanks in advance.

[Nasty1970]

Originally Posted by Baba

Absolutely, positively agree on every count. Rock solid guidelines.

Also, NEVER, EVER let anyone borrow your 'vert for a parade, homecoming or anything else, IN PARTICULAR if they want to plant someone's backside on top of the rear seats / top area. You'll curse the day you did and until you trade your 'vert in.

Did someone sit on your top?? I was thinking of doing a parade and letting cheerleaders sit back there, if they only sit on the top of tge seat, is that ok?

[SSAINT]

Originally Posted by zbroke

Guys thanks to all for the advise. I'm a new owner too as of this week and I'm glad I found this forum. The dealer and the manual refer to the top as canvas. The 303 products are referring to vinyl/cloth. Just to be extra paranoid, the 303 top cleaner that is safe for cloth/vinyl is safe for our top and so is the 303 fabric guard treatment correct? I'm referring to the 2011 model.

thanks in advance.

303 has two seperate cleaners, 1 for cloth and 1 for vinyl. You want to get the one for cloth for our cars. After that, you use the fabric guard. It works really well.

[Baba]

Originally Posted by Nasty1970

Did someone sit on your top?? I was thinking of doing a parade and letting cheerleaders sit back there, if they only sit on the top of tge seat, is that ok?

No. I've never had anyone sit on the back of any of my convertibles nor have let anyone drive my cars w. the exception of the techs at the dealer.

If someone is sitting on the top of the back seat, chances are they may lose their balance or be more comfortable scooting their backside further backwards onto the top or even bracing themselves with their hands against the top. Whether the tonneau cover is on or not, the top won't be able to support any weight without the potential risk for damage.

Convertible tops (canvas and frame / braces), in general, are, from my experience, vulnerable to damage. Allowing anyone to sit anywhere except IN the seats, is asking for trouble and there have been innumerable stories thereof on various forums for convertible models.

[Ganggreeng2]

Just got my Convertable aboput 2 weeks ago been through the drive through twice and put the top down wet, Glad I signed up for this Forum. Never will do that again.

[its a syn]

where can u get this 303?

[pnyklr]

I got mine at a local marine store BUT you probably don't have one in Albia, Iowa.

You can find where to buy it here:

http://www.wheretobuy303.com/

Closest place for you is here:

VANS OUTBOARD INC
2158 IDAHO DRIVE
PELLA, IA. 50219 US
Telephone: 641-628-4351

Call first to make sure it is in stock.

-Funk