longevity of our tops.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 701
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From: crossett, Arkansas
longevity of our tops. would it increase the lifespan of our tops to have the top down like over night ect if say its under a garage? i figure with the top down there is no stress on the fabric being stretched out. i could be way off with this thinkin.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,447
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From: Grand Junction, CO / Tomball, TX
You are right. Over time the fabric will stretch and give you that goofy bubble top while driving down the road. Every night I would unlatch my top in the garage to relieve the stress.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,913
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From: Western North Carolina
Your question certainly has merit but it may depend where you live and how tight your garage is. Sharing a ride with insects, spiders or mice isn't the way to start the day. I thought my garage was tight until I found a mouse and a nest in my old '96 Formula's heating unit. I replaced the garage door but wouldn't dream of leaving my '01 TA vert open at all. It is windows tight up to the securely latched vert top every night. By the way no issues with my top. It is like new but I don't have much mileage on the car either.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: crossett, Arkansas
well my top doesnt have a bubble from what ive been told. but i can see wear on it at the spots where there is support holding it up. im not to worried about mice/rats i got cats prowling the area lol.
I wouldn't leave it folded down for long periods of time. I'm no expert, but the top looks stressed in the down position because it's crumpled. Also, it looks like there are bars stretching the material in certain spots, whereas the stretch looks more evenly distributed when the top is up.
I wouldn't leave it folded down for long periods of time. I'm no expert, but the top looks stressed in the down position because it's crumpled. Also, it looks like there are bars stretching the material in certain spots, whereas the stretch looks more evenly distributed when the top is up.
I was also told that with a plastic top, leaving it down for extended periods can harm the plastic causing it to haze prematurely.
My car got it's first top last summer, so the original top made it 8 years before the rear window started falling out and the stitching started coming apart. I have no idea how well the top was treated prior to my buying the car. But I can add that the top on my 68 olds which is done, was at least 5 years old from what I was told when I purchased the car, so that top made it at least around 10 to 11 years before it died.
So I paid 1,300 for my new top installed, the cost per year for that top is 160 a year, I don't worry about it much.....
I treat is about every 6 months with 303 top protectant, try not to put the top up or down when the material is cold(not sure if that matter, but can't hurt) and try to keep the car out of the direct sun as much as possible.
So if I get 10 years out of this top I will be happy.
There is no real need to put a canvas top down to keep it from stretching out. As long as your listings are attached to your bows correctly, you shouldn't have to worry about the bubble effect. They keep the top down at speed. If you have the bubble, your listings are probably loose or torn. If you do get some stretching and think it is loose, you can tighten it up by removing the trim at the front edge, pulling the glued edge of the canvas loose, pull it forward a bit, glue it back down, and put your trim back on. Just mark the edge where the canvas wraps around the front edge with chalk or crayon before you take it loose so you have a reference point to see how far you pull it forward. Do this with the top half-way up so you have some room to work with it.
