Convertible Vehicles - So I now know, T-Tops and Verts just aren't for me

I'm leaving work..it rained a little today..had a little bit of paperwork on my passenger seat, got wet. Typical in these cars..tried everything to fix it. I plan on a new top and to see how much GM charges for the weather strips on the window part of the top, np there. but ive had this musty smell and it annoyed me so I investigated. I came upon a mildew spot were my car used to leak alot before..wasn't wet but I guess now its all disgusting with mildew..goes up to my passenger seat! I've taken every panel off..trying to rip the carpet up to the passenger seat..its all white and gooey crap. I drenched it with banking soda and running to the part store now to get a star key for the rear seatbelts. Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should do or should I just buy a new carpet? I'm near heading towards that direction :bang:

i guess thats expected, sooner or later they are gonna leak. back when i had my 02ss, it was brand new and it leaked, to me its just part of the game. but i live in the desert so i dont worry much about it.

Yeah, you are killing yourself too much when new carpet would be the answer. Those summer FL rains will go through any convertible so don't feel bad. With all that heat and humidity it is amazing your 12 year old model car has lasted so well. Also congrats on having a nice survivor as there can't be many '96 T/A verts left anymore.

Glad my car never sees rain... Would hate to have that prob.

If you have the carpet peeled up you can try to dry it out with a carpet blower or small space heater (on fan only) so it dries from the underside. The only problem you will face by next summer is it will probably disinigrate, the fabric has already been eaten away.

well i ripped the carpet out..put new juede(sp)? on the underside of the carpet since the interior is mint..everything is coming back together now. All this was caused by just a clogged drain spot. Which i fixed about a week ago but, didn't realize the soaked up water underneath it until i saw the small mold spot. I hate aftermath hah. Rest of the car is okay and i'm happy : ) almost done fixing her up. I will be going to put a new top and weatherstripping on it anyhow just because of the wear and tear

With all that heat and humidity it is amazing your 12 year old model car has lasted so well. Also congrats on having a nice survivor as there can't be many '96 T/A verts left anymore.

And thank you. :) The car is usually garaged and had 30K miles on it 4 years ago but I got sick of it sitting and there was a time I had to DD and it now has 77K miles. Going back in the garage after this as i'm in search of a new DD after the sale of my SS, This car has not one scratch, dent nada, just artic white and makes women drool when the top is down : ) lol

Glad my car never sees rain... Would hate to have that prob.


What he said !!^^^:nod:

I'm from WPB and I can't imagine having a rag-top down there that sits outside or is a DD.

We don't get rains like Fl often, but we get a couple a year here in Atlanta. My '98 Z vert has 117,000 miles on it and is still as dry as the day it was new. Original top and seals all around. Maybe I am lucky, but I keep all the seals cleaned and armor-alled, use Hartz top cleaner and sealer twice per year, and keep it garaged at night. But I have been through many storms and it has not leaked yet.

To get rid of the smell you should take your car to a place that rents out these ionic looking things. Its a long rectangle with a fan and a bluish light inside. I wish I knew there actual name. Lots of used car places use them. You just put them in your car and seal it up. After about an hour or 2 all odors will be gone.

Two very important vert tips:
Keep those two drain holes open at all times!!!
Spray your cloth top with some vert top protectant such has Raggtop protectant, the water should bead like your hood does if treated correctly...treat your vert top just like your paint.

You forgot the most important vert tip.

Dont drive the car if there is rain in the forecast.

I dont.