convertible top question
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Galveston Indiana
convertible top question
I've looked for this under the search, but couldn't find anything....I went to a shop in the past regarding a convertible top on a previous C5 I owned and the guy told me to always place a towel on the top before putting it down. That way the towel rides between the folds of the top and doesn't allow it to "jiggle" on itself, thus preventing premature wear on the top. I did this with the black top, but with this newer C5, the light oak top is made from a different material and seems thicker. With the towel in place, it makes it rather tight to close it up when the top is down. My question is, do any of you guys do the towel thing, or is this a useless or perhaps detrimental trick to use? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sahuarita AZ
I certainly wouldn't imagine that this technique is detrimental, but I have a '99 convertible and have never done this. I don't know what the previous driver did (I bought the car in Aug of 2004), but the top still looks brand new to this day.
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Pro
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From: Galveston Indiana
Originally Posted by slicksilver11
Good Question. Will like to see the answers.
What year is your vert?
02 here and if it makes a difference would definitely do it.
The only fix was to take the whole thing off and reapply it to the frame. That would have been about a grand in labor. Needless to say, my fix was to just be sure the window was rolled down slightly before shutting the door to prevent further damage. Even on factory tops, the black and the light oak seem like different material.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I've heard of the towel trick but don't use it. My white top is vinyl so it doesn't wear like the cloth ones. I heard it also prevents the wrinkles but I had a very knowledgeable person tell me you get wrinkles from leaving it down too long. I've been told you should always store the car with the top up.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
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I have used the towel trick on my black top. Don't really notice much difference in wear. Tends to be more of a pain than anything trying to keep the towel in place as you fold the top down. I still use it once in a while when I have the time since it does not hurt anything. Just make sure you don't force the tonneau shut. And use a black towel so you don't get lint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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St. Jude Donor '06
I've always used a towel on convertibles with plastic rear windows, but don't see the need for it on the vette. The towel sounds like old school advise - doesn't do anything for a C5 except take up space and create an un-needed hassle.
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Pro
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From: Galveston Indiana
Originally Posted by slicksilver11
What does the material feel like. What makes it seem different?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: PNW Cougar Country WA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
My 2000 has the light oak top. With only 20k miles when i bought it there were a couple small wear marks on it. Use a cotton sheet last summer to cover it before i put it down. think the answer is a small flanel sheet, soft and a little more body but not as thick as a towel. Also think it helps to make sure you pull the edges out at the folds so it's as flat as possible. 
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Galveston Indiana
Originally Posted by TOPLS90
My 2000 has the light oak top. With only 20k miles when i bought it there were a couple small wear marks on it. Use a cotton sheet last summer to cover it before i put it down. think the answer is a small flanel sheet, soft and a little more body but not as thick as a towel. Also think it helps to make sure you pull the edges out at the folds so it's as flat as possible.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
The material in the '01 vert is indeed improved over the previous C5's. There's barely enough room to fold the top down as it is without adding more material.
