Is it bad for me to leave the convertible top down for extended periods of time (weeks)? Convertible Noob and I don't know any better, sorry. I never thought about it until a friend mentioned it was a no-no. I figure this is the best place to ask.

 

I have a verte and I try not to leave the top down for more than a couple days at a time. If you do, you will develop creases where it folds.

Also, after you wash the verte, it's a good idea to keep the top up for at least 24 hours until it is thoroughly dry. Plus, keeping the top up/windows up while parked (inside or out), obviously keeps the interior cleaner.

 

Good advice.

 

I just went out in the garage and put it up. My concern with it up is that the tension on the top will aslo stress it. I was not sure which was worse.

 

Nothing to worry about there. It's designed very well. Just don't do anything stupid like stacking garage boxes, etc. on top of it. Seriously, there was a picture last year on the forum a member posted about his neighbor's Vette. It was in the garage with crap all over it, including the vinyl top.

 

I used to leave mine down all the time in Vegas. It has a few pressure marks where the top looks slightly lighter. These generally come out when I clean it.

I've always understood that its better to keep the top up and under tension for storage. In England I'm more worried about mice getting into the car than the condition of the top

 

Leave it up

 

I'm in Vegas now and I generally leave the top down overnight in the garage but it goes back up every time I leave the car parked outside the garage. It has a few pressure marks which wash out easy enough but it would probably be better to park it with the top up.

How do the rest of you guys clean your soft tops?

 

Good tip, mine"s been down since mid May, should at least raise it up and dust it off

 

Wow, I worry about critters gettin into it with the top down. Mine is garaged when not in use but it only takes about three minutes to put it up. Can't see taking the risk, myself.

 

Ragg Top is the best cleaner and conditioner. I purchased mine from the the Corvette Museum store.

I always put my top up at nite, even when I garage it. I have one of those cockpit covers that I will use during the day. I don't want my interior to bake.

Never put the top down after it's been washed, it will mildew. I never use soap on my top, either, just rinse with water.

 

Top rarely comes up all summer (unless it starts to rain). I even wash it with the top down most times.

 

Hmmm .... Mine is parked in the parking lot with several other cars (covered), and I leave the top down now that its sunny in Oregon. Its been a week the top is down, but maybe I should put it back up for a while.

As for the question about how to clean them - Raggtop.

 

store it up or they will shrink in the back top of your door, you will need a valet then to be abl eto get in and out of your car, briught my 99 in 03 that had the top down all your summer and it had shrunk in the corners, so the design is not that great, raggtop is the best.

 

I put my top up every night. When I was looking to buy, there was one convertible where the owner left the top down most of the time and it had some creases in it.

 

3 MINUTES!! you must have stopped half way for a coffee break.....

 

Including latching or unlatching the 2 levers at the top of the windshield surround.BIGHANK

 

Yup. BTW, I've done mine at a stop light. And I keep mine up..



Ya know what I mean........

 

Since you are asking about the C5 convertible top, and the advice offered previously does not really provide scientific or personal experience for top up or down, I can only tell you that I had a C4 convertible with a removable hardtop. The convertible top was down for more than 6 months per year when the hardtop was installed. Never had a problem with the convertible top when I put it up. The fit seemed to be perfect as no rain would get in, had no trouble with raising, lowering and latching of the convertible top. That being said, I now have a C6 vert and it is not function the same as the C4 as there are no latches on the rear deck to secure the top. So I keep mine up unless I am driving it as I do not know the long term effect on the top. I don't know if the C5 has latches on the rear deck or not, but if it does, then I would assume that it would be okay to keep the top down. Someone on the forum who has an after market hardtop, such as a Smoothline, might be able to shed light on the subject from experience. Also, Smoothline now offers a hardtop for the C6, so I assume that the top down with the hardtop on is not a problem. This will be a personal decision on your part. This is the first corvette convertible I've owned that does not have a hardtop, but since it will be in storage from October thru April, I don't believe I need one. I have the C5 coupe to drive during the winter.