Question for vert owners
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 484
Likes: 102
From: Prescott AZ
Question for vert owners
Hi. Just got my first vert and. now that the weather is getting perfect here in AZ, I'm driving it with the top down all the time. Since its garaged I don't put the top up at night either. So I'm wondering if there's any problems with leaving the top down al the time; in terms of the material of the top itself. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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I live in Florida and enjoy many top down drives.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 2
From: San Diego California
Your fine, I think it's opposite, when the top is on it's exposed to the elements - fades faster, the back window adhesive gets weaker, and your skin paler. Jokes aside, your actually protecting it!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I live in Florida and enjoy many top down drives.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
Ditto this. On my black top, if I leave it down too long it gets shiney spots on it where the top rubs against itself while folded.
Some guys have used a bedsheet to place over the top before lowering it to prevent the rubbing.
I just always raise my top when I'm not driving. It takes all of 10 seconds. Top up, windows closed keeps the interior cleaner as well.
Do you have a window valet? The valet allows you to raise and lower your windows from your keyfob. That makes latching and unlatching the top much simpler.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Maple North Carolina
Me: I keep mine down all the time except to wash the car. It stays under a cover with the top down in a garage.
No issues and no problems and my top is ten years old. Good luck with yours!
No issues and no problems and my top is ten years old. Good luck with yours!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 4
From: Roseville Ca.
I tend to keep mine up when it's parked, but then my top is light oak and it actually has black marks on it from being down while dirty(from the previous owner). A great product for keeping it clean/water resistant is RaggTopp, did a good job of getting most of the marks off mine, one more note, never put it down until it's completely dry after you wash it(of course in AZ. it will probably dry within minutes). 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Hi. Just got my first vert and. now that the weather is getting perfect here in AZ, I'm driving it with the top down all the time. Since its garaged I don't put the top up at night either. So I'm wondering if there's any problems with leaving the top down al the time; in terms of the material of the top itself. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Mine stays up most of the time because it lives outside. Top is 7 years old now and still in resonably good shape and no leaks. Biggest issue is when closing doors with top up and windows up, back corner of windows drags across edge of top. That has frayed the edge of the top somewhat ,,, of course driver's side more so than passenger. There is adjustment to lessen problem. I understand C6's addressed the issue by slightly lowering windows when doors open and raising after closing.
Bottom line - Convertible top is very durable.
Bottom line - Convertible top is very durable.
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Jacks996
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: eagle mountain lake tx
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I found that if I dont cover it in my garage with the top down I end up with dead bugs and dirt in it. The creases in the top fabric are also more pronounced when i leave it down for a long time. Now I always put the top up and also cover it in my garage
Team Owner
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From: Plano Texas
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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I used to leave the top down all the time in Vegas. I now leave it up all the time in UK other than when I drive topless.
I really haven't seen any difference using either system. The fabric is still in good condition, it tightens up well but I do have the shiny witness marks.
My biggest worry leaving it down was that it allowed the "local wildlife" easy access to the cockpit. With black widows prevalent in Vegas I decided to spray occasionally.
I really haven't seen any difference using either system. The fabric is still in good condition, it tightens up well but I do have the shiny witness marks.
My biggest worry leaving it down was that it allowed the "local wildlife" easy access to the cockpit. With black widows prevalent in Vegas I decided to spray occasionally.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 484
Likes: 102
From: Prescott AZ
Thanks to all who responded. I just raised the top after 3 or 4 days and, sure enough, there's a crease or two and maybe a shiny spot that wasn't there before so I'm going to put it up every night. It does take less than 30 seconds and, with the window valet thingy, it's really easy. I do have a cover but every time I put it on, I seem to find some reason to take the car out 5 minutes later!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
I live in Florida and enjoy many top down drives.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
However if you keep your top down all the time, the creases will become more pronounced and you will develop shiny spots on the fabric where the fabric rubs together while driving. This happens over time on all verts, however it's a good idea to stretch out the top by using it.
Mine is mostly a weekend driver so I keep the top up during the week and down during the weekend. Plus, even if it is garage kept, the top up and windows up helps keep the interior cleaner as well.
i live in the south also, and always put the top up when the car is garaged. i believe it make sense on the long run to keep the top stretched for a proper fit. over time with the top kept down (forgetting the rubbing factor) the cloth will shrink and it will be more difficult to get it up and sealed well.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Thanks to all who responded. I just raised the top after 3 or 4 days and, sure enough, there's a crease or two and maybe a shiny spot that wasn't there before so I'm going to put it up every night. It does take less than 30 seconds and, with the window valet thingy, it's really easy. I do have a cover but every time I put it on, I seem to find some reason to take the car out 5 minutes later!
Window Valet is awesome. If you got a 'vert you gotta have one!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Thanks to all who responded. I just raised the top after 3 or 4 days and, sure enough, there's a crease or two and maybe a shiny spot that wasn't there before so I'm going to put it up every night. It does take less than 30 seconds and, with the window valet thingy, it's really easy. I do have a cover but every time I put it on, I seem to find some reason to take the car out 5 minutes later!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
Mine is garage kept and I put top up when parked. Even outside if we go into a store....seagulls love top downs as targets !......top up too ....but easier to clean.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 3
From: slidell louisiana
Don't leave it down all the time , as mentioned if it is black it will have shiney creases, if it is light oak the dirt will form black lines at the crease. When I bought my vert it had light oak top and was a florida car , I changed the top because the marks would not come out even with ragg top cleaner and protectant
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
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2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Thanks to all who responded. I just raised the top after 3 or 4 days and, sure enough, there's a crease or two and maybe a shiny spot that wasn't there before so I'm going to put it up every night. It does take less than 30 seconds and, with the window valet thingy, it's really easy. I do have a cover but every time I put it on, I seem to find some reason to take the car out 5 minutes later!
As a result, I am a stop light pro when it comes to raising my top. I need to time myself, however I really think I've got it down to about 10 seconds! 
