You Should Know This About Your Convertible Top

A car which can be driven in the absence of roof is known as a convertible or cabriolet car. The methods with which we can retract or store the roof would differ between models. A convertible car would allow you to experience open-air driving and at the same time it has the ability to prove the roof as per the requirements.

Are you searching for the different types of convertible top? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

1. Hard-top convertible roofs - This type of convertible top would be made up of well-built as well as stiff metal which would be the same color as the body of the car. It would provide better protection from weather as well as security against thieves.
2. Soft-top convertible roofs - These types of convertible tops are generally made up of pliable, fabric-like materials which would compactly extend as well as retract. They would not take up much storage space or might rely on a mechanical system. The fabric-based soft-top would cover only last 3-6 years, which would depend upon the upkeep, and they would be very easy to cut through.

Are you searching how do the convertible top actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

There can be a difference in the folding design of the convertible top's frame and it can also be elaborated. There are some automobiles which would come with electric convertible tops, and then there are some which would be equipped with manual convertible tops. There is a retraction mechanism in the electric tops which would be designed to unfold and fold the frame, which would be referred to as the power top. The driver would simply have to push the button and then the top would retract or then go up. The driver should unfasten the top's latches of the manual tops from the windshield before the top can be pushed down manually. If you want to put the top up, then there would be a requirement to pull it up manually and then the latches should be reattached to the windshield.

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the convertible top? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the convertible top:

• The convertible top fluid might be very low
• There can be a failure of limit switches
• Defects in the hydraulic pump
• The lift solenoids might be worn out
• The relay or corroded contacts might be faulty

There are a few things which might cause your convertible top to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad convertible top:

• The convertible top movement might be very slow
• There can be some issues in raising or lowering down the convertible top
• Issues in opening up the beck lid
• Convertible top might not go down

It is said that a workman is only as good as his tools, and it is definitely true when it comes to the car bodywork. It is vital to have the right tools to repair your Convertible Top or else a straightforward job would turn into constant headaches. So that’s why we have listed out some invaluable tools below which you will need while repairing your Convertible Top.

• Staple Gun
• Contact Cement
• Rivet Gun

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for Convertible Top.

It is always good to learn more! That is the reason why we are here to help you out in gaining more knowledge about car Convertible Top. Here are some Convertible Top related parts which would help you to understand it in a better way.

• Convertible Top Relay
• Convertible Top Connector
• Convertible Top Switch

Do you want to change your convertible top on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the convertible top below:

Step 1

The initial thing which you should inspect before you start removing your old top is the frame. Make sure to run it up or down many a times, inspecting for binding or areas that would pinch the fabric. Both sides should go up and down evenly.

Step 2

The top should be raised halfway and then the bow header strip should be removed. It is the bead which would run across the front of the top. It should be stapled in, and then it should be pulled off very easily. A metal strap might be screwed over the edge of the material. All the screws and the strap should be removed and then they should be set aside. All the staples across the header bow should then be removed. It would then free the front of the top.

Step 3

The forward most side rail weather-strips should be removed from both sides, along with the quarter side rail weather-strips. Both of these would be bolted on from the backside of the roof rail.

Step 4

Search for the ends of the side cables and then you should decide which end would be removed first and then remove the end of the cables at one end, then the other end should be left attached.

Step 5

The cables should be pulled out through the pockets in the edge of the top, and then they should be draped inside the car.

Step 6

The second and third bows should be checked to see if there would e be any screws attaching the top.

Step 7

The top should be put in the up position and then latch the front. Then the wire-on from the top of the rear bow should be removed. After that it is important to remove the rest of the staples across the rear bow.

Step 8

Then you should go inside the car and then the well or loosen the side of the well should be carefully removed so that the underneath can be accessed.

Step 9

Now once the rear tack rail would be loose, then one should go outside the car and then a heavy blanket or fender covers should be placed over the rear of the car around the convertible top opening. Then the blanket should be draped into the opening and lift the rear tack rail out of the hole and it should be then placed on the blanket.

Step 10

One side pad should then be removed. There are some cars where the screws would hold them onto the centre bows.

Step 11

Now if you want to remove the rear curtain, then the staples should be taken out along the rear tack strip and from across the rear bow as well as the rear window should lift right out.

Step 12

Now if your pads would be on the top of the rear curtain and the pads are not being replaced, then the rear curtain should be cut around the pads, and then a new rear curtain should be installed over them.

Step 13

Now when the new rear curtain would be installed, then the centre of the rear bow should be found and then marked.

Step 14

The front of the top frame should be unlatched and then about a foot should be braced up with a 2X4. Then the rear tack strip should be bolted with just three to five bolts; one would be in the center and then one would be at each end of the clear part of the rear curtain, and then might be another on each side.

Step 15

Now before the convertible top would be installed, then you should lay it out on a table or the floor should be cleaned. The edges along both sides should be lined up and then the new top should be marked on where the bolt holes would go through the old top.

Step 16

When the back of your new top would be marked, then the new top should be laid over the frame in a position that would be right.

Step 17

If any metal strips have been removed from the stings in the old top, then they should be slided into the appropriate listings.

Step 18

Then after that a long wire or straightened coat hanger should be used with a "u" shape bent into one end, and then the wire would be slid through the pocket of the convertible top and then the end of the wire should be hooked to the side cable and then it should be pulled through the pocket.

Step 19

Then this should be done in a similar manner on the other side as well. The top frame should be raised halfway and then the side cables should be connected to their respective places. The top frame should then be moved to the up position and then the front should be latched. After that the cables should be tight and then the top should be aligned from side to side. After that the top should be slid either forward or backward so that the quarter flaps could be placed in the perfect place.

Step 20

Then the next step would be to staple the rear quarters of the top to the rear tack strip, starting at the end of the tack strip. When there would be very less staples in place, then the top of the quarter should be pulled around the bend in the tack strip, then it should be stretched slightly, and then the other end should be stapled.

Step 21

Then it is essential to pull down on the top at the curve until the alignment marks would be in the perfect place, and then the top to the tack should be stapled.

Step 22

The stapling should then be finished until there would be enough staples to hold the top in place. This should be done in a similar manner for both sides. Then rear tack strip should then be bolted with just a few bolts, in a similar manner as before.

Step 23

Now at the front of the vehicle, the frame should be still locked and then the side of the top forward should be pulled unless and until most of the wrinkles would start disappearing.

Step 24

When the top would be help forward, then the top at the front edge should be marked of the frame on both sides. Then the top should be raised halfway again. The front of the top should be pulled around the front bow so that it can be folded around the bow. The top ½" past the front edge should be pulled of the bow, and then it should be folded under and should then be stapled between the outer edge as well as seam on both sides. Then the top should be shut down and carefully latch it.

Step 25

The sides and quarters should be smooth and then make sure to line up the rear bow at the darts in the top.

Step 26

The contact cement should be applied to the quarter flaps as well as to the front side flaps and then they should be allowed to dry. When the top would be latched, then flaps should be pulled into position and then they should be glued down. The top of the halfway should be raised and then the weather-strips should be installed properly.

Step 27

The wire-on across the rear bow should be stapled with the flap of the wire-on toward the front of the car, and then care should be taken so that it can be applied straight. After that the end caps should be installed.

Step 28

After that you should go inside the automobile and then the rest of the bolts should be installed. Then the well should be replaced, and then you would be done.

Step 29

The top should be left for at least two days and then it should be allowed to set.