C 1 storage of softtop
12-13-2015, 06:39 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
C 1 storage of softtop
I have been thinking of removing soft top for storage this winter ,reason the damage to back window on a fairly new knoch top when stowed down for any length of time !
I do remember my uncle would keep his soft top in house ,he dusted the bracket locations before removal with spray bomb .
has anyone on forum done this ?
The hard top in winter storage is much better in garage and the way weather looks this year in nyc I just may be managing a few winter driving days
I do remember my uncle would keep his soft top in house ,he dusted the bracket locations before removal with spray bomb .
has anyone on forum done this ?
The hard top in winter storage is much better in garage and the way weather looks this year in nyc I just may be managing a few winter driving days
Last edited by tach drive 61; 12-13-2015 at 06:41 AM.
12-13-2015, 07:01 AM
#2
Team Owner
Nonsense - my back window is nearly as pristine as when it was installed 5 years ago. get one of those long storage pillows to use in the fold of the window when the top is down ($13) and then clean the felt gas tank lid cover assiduously and often. People forget it is there for exactly the purpose of protecting the top's window. If you do get an occasional light scratch you can easily buff it out. It doesn't hurt if you have the Haartz Stayfast top as they tolerate long term storage much better than vinyl.
You will screw up your top alignment, possibly rack the top frame and perhaps scratch your window worse manhandling that top off and on and into some storage space.
You will screw up your top alignment, possibly rack the top frame and perhaps scratch your window worse manhandling that top off and on and into some storage space.
12-13-2015, 07:43 AM
#4
Team Owner
Gone up a few bucks since I bought mine; may be cheaper elsewhere:
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 12-13-2015 at 07:45 AM.
12-13-2015, 07:52 AM
#5
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2013
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 4,832
Received 929 Likes
on
531 Posts
2023 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Gone up a few bucks since I bought mine; may be cheaper elsewhere:
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
12-13-2015, 07:58 AM
#6
Team Owner
When folded and driving (particularly in a C1!) and depending on how the stored top "stack" is setup (its adjustable) and how much grit is floating around under your deck lid....the soft top vibrates when folded and abrades against surfaces it touches (even against itself - hence the pillow requirement).
By keeping the 'stack' adjusted properly, a clean storage area, and, the gas tank felt and pillow in good shape...you'll be surprised at how nice your rear window will remain.
In this picture, behind the stereo amp, you can see the white, long pillow through the top window and how it keeps the top from touching itself along the fold...
By keeping the 'stack' adjusted properly, a clean storage area, and, the gas tank felt and pillow in good shape...you'll be surprised at how nice your rear window will remain.
In this picture, behind the stereo amp, you can see the white, long pillow through the top window and how it keeps the top from touching itself along the fold...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 12-13-2015 at 08:02 AM.
12-13-2015, 08:09 AM
#7
Pro
Gone up a few bucks since I bought mine; may be cheaper elsewhere:
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=42424
Do NOT buy one of the pillows with lettering stenciled on it (e.g. the word Corvette); that stencil can transfer to your plastic window and do NOT store your top with the pillow wet....
12-13-2015, 09:30 AM
#8
Drifting
Thread Starter
a bad top install led to most of stow problems .till I have al knoch replace at show in future . I used pillow and the hold down tabs push on window .I will take advise and leave top in place .thanks ps the top was not installed by al knoch but will be next time !now its December and 58 degrees time to uncover car and get out for the day .
12-13-2015, 09:31 AM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
When folded and driving (particularly in a C1!) and depending on how the stored top "stack" is setup (its adjustable) and how much grit is floating around under your deck lid....the soft top vibrates when folded and abrades against surfaces it touches (even against itself - hence the pillow requirement).
By keeping the 'stack' adjusted properly, a clean storage area, and, the gas tank felt and pillow in good shape...you'll be surprised at how nice your rear window will remain.
In this picture, behind the stereo amp, you can see the white, long pillow through the top window and how it keeps the top from touching itself along the fold...
By keeping the 'stack' adjusted properly, a clean storage area, and, the gas tank felt and pillow in good shape...you'll be surprised at how nice your rear window will remain.
In this picture, behind the stereo amp, you can see the white, long pillow through the top window and how it keeps the top from touching itself along the fold...
12-13-2015, 09:37 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Middletown Ohio
Posts: 2,892
Received 167 Likes
on
130 Posts
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Leave the top up and cover it with a sheet or car cover.
You can still drive the car and the top won"t wrinkle.
I only have mine down when driving, after that it goes up.
You can still drive the car and the top won"t wrinkle.
I only have mine down when driving, after that it goes up.
12-13-2015, 11:02 AM
#11
Safety Car
There is a strap on each side of the rear bow with a snap on the end of it. GM spent the money to put it there for a reason. When you snap the rear bow up, it prevents pinching and tearing the fabric in the rear corners when you lower the top. It also is prudent to use a couple of soft towels for the rear window if you don't purchase the pillow.
12-13-2015, 11:08 AM
#12
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2013
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 4,832
Received 929 Likes
on
531 Posts
2023 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There is a strap on each side of the rear bow with a snap on the end of it. GM spent the money to put it there for a reason. When you snap the rear bow up, it prevents pinching and tearing the fabric in the rear corners when you lower the top. It also is prudent to use a couple of soft towels for the rear window if you don't purchase the pillow.
12-13-2015, 02:47 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
12-13-2015, 02:51 PM
#14
Team Owner
Not all cars have the snap tab straps because the installer didn't put them on. Mike Coletta put them on my top during the install and I use them religiously.
My deck lid also pushes down a bit on the top when folded. I think that's pretty normal.
If you have a Stayfast top you can leave it down for months with no ill effects - it won't shrink and the creases will come out after its up in the sun for a few hours.
My deck lid also pushes down a bit on the top when folded. I think that's pretty normal.
If you have a Stayfast top you can leave it down for months with no ill effects - it won't shrink and the creases will come out after its up in the sun for a few hours.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 12-13-2015 at 03:05 PM.
12-13-2015, 03:41 PM
#16
Pro
12-13-2015, 03:48 PM
#17
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
Posts: 38,899
Received 1,856 Likes
on
1,099 Posts
12-13-2015, 04:10 PM
#18
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Poway CA
Posts: 4,845
Received 1,295 Likes
on
560 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Rather than a pillow, I just use 2 microfibre towels.
Very cheap and protects the rear window when folded down.
Very cheap and protects the rear window when folded down.
12-16-2015, 06:49 PM
#20
Team Owner
Hard to get much cheaper than $17 and the swim noodles can pick up grit...I have them around my swimming pool.