How Long Will A Vert Top Last?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 5
From: Wichita Falls Tx
How Long Will A Vert Top Last?
Another thread got me curious. How long can you expect a vert top to last if the car is parked in a garage and exposed to sunlight about 5000 miles a year? The top has been treated with protectant. I know this is not science, but any guesses?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
You can expect to get 8-10 years
The top will still look good after this time but time will take it's toll of constant stretching of the material and will start to rub on the window when you close the door and there is only so much you can stretch it before you'll need a new one.
The top will still look good after this time but time will take it's toll of constant stretching of the material and will start to rub on the window when you close the door and there is only so much you can stretch it before you'll need a new one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks CA.
You can expect to get 8-10 years The top will still look good after this time but time will take it's toll of constant stretching of the material and will start to rub on the window when you close the door and there is only so much you can stretch it before you'll need a new one.
The top will still look good after this time but time will take it's toll of constant stretching of the material and will start to rub on the window when you close the door and there is only so much you can stretch it before you'll need a new one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My 02 has lived in the Vegas sun for 3 years. Its always garaged. I give it a clean every 6 months or so and treat it with protectorant. Cleaned it yesterday and it still looks like new.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
My '95 is still in great shape...the '04 is like new...if you use Wolfsteins "Raggtopp" it should last for a decade or two depending how much outdoors it sees
Last edited by Yello95; May 27, 2007 at 03:27 AM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...no sir...it would actually be>>>
...and yes...its 2 P's
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
I got a chance to talk to the guy who installed my new top this year. He's been installing convertible tops for 18 years and said years of constant stretching to keep it tight combined with sun exposure takes it toll on the material. He said on the vettes he sees the top stretch over the right or upper corner of the door to the point where it starts to wear but they last longer than most the other vert tops on other cars. This can be adjusted only so many times before its time for a new top.
With my new top, I now allow it a chance to relax by raising the top when I know I'm not going to drive it for 2 or more days. As someone also mentioned on another thread, it also gives the rubber window seals a chance to relax.
With my new top, I now allow it a chance to relax by raising the top when I know I'm not going to drive it for 2 or more days. As someone also mentioned on another thread, it also gives the rubber window seals a chance to relax.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks CA.
I got a chance to talk to the guy who installed my new top this year. He's been installing convertible tops for 18 years and said years of constant stretching to keep it tight combined with sun exposure takes it toll on the material. He said on the vettes he sees the top stretch over the right or upper corner of the door to the point where it starts to wear but they last longer than most the other vert tops on other cars. This can be adjusted only so many times before its time for a new top.
With my new top, I now allow it a chance to relax by raising the top when I know I'm not going to drive it for 2 or more days. As someone also mentioned on another thread, it also gives the rubber window seals a chance to relax.
With my new top, I now allow it a chance to relax by raising the top when I know I'm not going to drive it for 2 or more days. As someone also mentioned on another thread, it also gives the rubber window seals a chance to relax.
Different advice sure is confusing
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 5
From: Grafton WI
I have a '98 vert, top is original and still looks very good. Mine is in the garage most of the time, never sits out in the sun. I usually drive it with the top down. I always have the top up and latched in the garage. Seems to work for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
Before it was replaced, there were times when it seemed as if you could hear a slight ripping sound when I was driving but maybe it was my imagination. I'm the second owner, but was told it was mostly driven to work and then garaged when at home. I think you could probably stretch it(no pun intended) to 11 maybe 12 years under the best of conditions but it depends on what your definition of "last" is. I think you could get 15-16 years out of it but would look like
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
I replaced the black top on my 1998 last year. Car is a weekend cruiser (5K per year - 95% top down), rarely sees rain and is garaged and covered most of it's life. Cleaned annually with RaggTopp. Top was still good/functional but had shining wear marks behind both side windows. No tears or frayed areas just didn't look good. Tried lots of stuff to bring them back but to no avail. So, depending on how picky you are will best determine how long your top lasts. Mine made 8 years with lite useage - less picky, it would still be in use!
