Prestige Soft Top prides itself on providing quality, internationally made soft tops in Australia for a variety of makes and models so you can enjoy a premium, long-lasting convertible top. But like with most products, their longevity is only guaranteed and prolonged provided the appropriate care and maintenance is given. This guide will be highlighting several key tips to know regarding care and maintenance for your soft top replacement to ensure it has an outstanding and long life.

Why should you care and maintain your soft top?

Let’s say you’ve just purchased one of our convertible top replacements and have had it fitted by a professional installer; you’re absolutely rapt with how it looks and can’t wait to hop in and take it for a spin, you just want to cruise around to show off your new top. That is exactly why you should be caring for and maintaining your top, because that glorious aesthetic that you fell in love with as soon as it was installed is what you would ideally like it to be around the clock, and that’s only achievable through proper care and maintenance.

Whilst our soft top replacements are treated with products when they come brand new to help prolong their life, these will wear away if no maintenance is administered and the top is exposed to harsh elements. Simply put: if left unkempt, your soft top will degrade over time and will lose its stunning appeal as well as its protective qualities.

Avoid harsh elements

Australia is a fairly arid country overall, and is prone to some pretty drastic weather and extreme UV radiation. Constant, direct sun can be damaging to your soft top fabric, whether it’s vinyl or cloth, and will fast-track its degradation. Too much sun exposure can cause it to fade and degrade whilst humidity and heavy rain can lead to mould or mildew growth if not properly dried after a downpour.

Whilst we understand it isn’t always feasible for some, you should try to keep your new soft top under cover or in a shaded spot as much as possible; this passive technique will go a long way in maintaining the top’s longevity. For a more active approach, we stock Bowden’s Own Vinyl Revival and Fabratection products, which offer, amongst other things, superb UV protection for vinyl and cloth soft tops (respectively).

Washing tips

Just like washing your car regularly is an essential (and for some, therapeutic) task, the same must be done for your soft top, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.

• Never spot clean. Whilst unwanted additions to your top like bird faeces may push you to only wash a specific spot, this should be avoided as spot washing could cause rings to appear, tarnishing the top’s visual appeal.
• Never wash in direct sunlight. On a clear day, washing in the sun can seem like an attractive idea, but the direct sunlight can dry the top a lot faster than it should, meaning the sediments of the cleaning materials can be left to build up on the top, this becomes worse when some parts are not directly in the sun’s path. Try to wash in the shade if possible.
• Use the right tools for the right job. A soft brush, a chamois, a whole lot of water and specialised cleaning products will guarantee an effective wash and clean.

Soft top care products

Once you have thoroughly rinsed and scrubbed any obvious dirt particles off of your soft top, it will be time to apply specialised soft top cleaning products. It is crucial that you never use any household cleaning products or solvent-based products as they can cause rapid deterioration (think bleach, alcohol or vinegar for example). We stock a range of premium Bowden’s Own soft top care products that are perfect for both vinyl and cloth tops, as well as some essential cleaning accessories to help make your washing and maintenance journey as smooth as possible.

Premium Australian soft top replacements and care products

Prestige Soft Tops is home to an expansive range of superior-quality replacement soft tops and soft top care products. If you’re uncomfortable with fitting your new soft top, then our national network of installers will ensure that wherever you are in Australia, your new top will be installed by professionals for that perfect fit.

If you would like to enquire about one of our products or require assistance with soft top care and maintenance, then please do not hesitate to email us at sales@prestigetops.com.au or fill out our online contact form so one of our team members can get back to you ASAP.

There’s something methodical about replacing your own soft top; whether you’re working on restoring a vintage convertible or are refreshing your daily driver, a well-fitting soft top is crucial. Whilst Prestige Soft Tops has an extensive network of partnerships with professional and experienced soft top fitters around Australia, we understand that there are some who would prefer to handle the task themselves. This article will help you understand the pros and cons of installing a replacement soft top so you can better understand the risks before attempting to fit the top yourself.

Inexperience may lead to an ill-fitting top

Like with any trade, someone who has the experience and is qualified to perform a task will usually do a better job compared to someone without experience, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the right way to go. There may be financial factors involved or you may just want to learn how to do it yourself.

Pros

If you have decided to fit your soft top yourself then you will gain a series of useful skills; some of our DIY-friendly tops come with step-by-step instructions to help you ensure your top has the best fit possible. If it is your first time then you may have to go through some trial and error to ensure your soft top is appropriately fitted and doesn’t have any gaps or wrinkles.

Cons

The aforementioned trial and error could take quite a bit of time and if you’ve never really done anything similar before you may end up damaging your convertible or top in addition to potentially not fitting it properly and not realising. If you are unsure whether or not you can fit your top properly, then it may be worth contacting an experienced and authorised installer.

Timeframe considerations

Perfectly fitting a replacement soft top will take time and is not something you want to rush as several things could go wrong. Time is a factor that you may want to consider when deciding to fit your own top.

Pros

When fitting your replacement soft top yourself, you have the luxury of taking your time and ensuring that everything is as it should be. This is especially useful if you’re restoring a car or working on a weekend driver where there is no urgency. If there is no rush, then installing a top yourself can be a reasonable option.

Cons

The other side of the coin is that if you are in a rush then you may be better off enquiring with us about a local authorised soft top installer. If you attempt to rush the installation then there’s a higher chance of the top not being fitted incorrectly and damage occurring during operation. Experienced and trained installers will be able to efficiently fit the top perfectly and without any hassle, saving you time and potential mistakes.

Do you have the appropriate tools?

Fitting your own soft top can be a great learning experience, but depending on the replacement soft top you’ve purchased, specialised tools may be required to complete the process. Before installing a soft top yourself, be sure to go through every step and tool you’ll need prior so you aren’t hit with any surprises down the track.

Pros

Some soft tops will only require basic tools like a Philips and/or Torx screwdriver. This can make the installation simpler as you won’t have to worry about purchasing extra tools that you may be unfamiliar with. If you do require more specialised tools such as rivet or staple guns, and you have an interest in restoring cars, then these may be worthwhile investments to add to your repertoire.

Cons

It may not be worth investing in specialist tools if you are only going to use them once; if you’re unfamiliar with such tools then you also risk making a mistake when operating them which could potentially lead to major damage. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed when it comes to installing your own top, then a professional soft top fitter may be the smarter choice.

Professional soft top replacement suppliers

Prestige Soft Tops stock a range of high-quality soft tops in different fabrics from international manufacturers to ensure your convertible is equipped with the best premium tops. Whilst only some of our tops come with DIY instructions, we do have an Australia-wide network of professional and experienced soft top fitters in case you feel uncomfortable fitting it yourself. This can save you time and guarantee a perfect fit.

Please feel free to contact us today if you have any questions about our products or are looking for guidance on an installer in your area by filling out our online enquiry form or emailing us at sales@prestigetops.com.au.