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Hey guys.......I have just purchased my first C5 convertible with the manual top. My question is ......Should I put it up every night or leave it down for days at a time? It is in a clean garage and no dust. I don't want to cause wear on the top.....by leaving it down......Can someone advise me please.....Thx...
Good question. I leave my top down for days and wind up getting mars or wear spots around the sides. Would like to hear what other suggest- including adding a towel when you set the roof down.
I keep mine down virtually all summer long. It's my understanding that the marring/wear marks come from the rubbing of the material as the car rolls and moves in motion, so there's never going to be a way to avoid it if you drive with the top down. Having said that, I don't have much wear on my tan top.
Since the top is made of fabric, it doesn't have the danger of cracking or tearing in cold temperatures like you would have in a vinyl top (I had an '05 Mustang with a vinyl drop top that would get a little "brittle" in the wintertime)
Here's a rare pic of my top up, taken last month. The top is about ten years old.
And here she is back in February; I really just keep the top up to protect the interior from getting dusty
Hope this helps!
No dust in your garage, what's your secret to that? Anyways, I always put the top back up when my car is in the garage to prevent dust and critters from getting in. I know mice, bugs, etc can always find a way in but with the top up it lessens the chances. Like Edmund said the canvas top is very durable compared to vinyl. But having a light oak top can be a challenge keeping clean and free of any marks. It basically boils down to your personal preference and what you feel suits your needs. Thank you for trusting us and asking for our opinions though. In the meantime put the top down, hit the road and enjoy the open air, cheers .
Generally, now that my Corvette occupies the garage space in our 2 car garage (the first two years of ownership, it sat outside year round); like others, I keep the top down during the summer. I replaced the top 2 years ago, (shortly after buying it in December of 2017) so I am not worried too much about wear and tear. The original top lasted 17 years and I think it a safe bet this one will last about as long. Because I prefer to drive the car top down whenever the weather or the wife's hair permits, I'm just too lazy to go through the ritual of lowering and raising the top. I also find the car to be a lot easier for me to get in and out of with the top down. I drive the car daily, even over the winter months (weather permitting); so I've never a worry over dust.
My top is down as often as possible and I often leave it down when parked in the garage. For a garage-kept car that doesn't get a lot of weather wear, the primary source of wear does appear to be its moving and rubbing while stowed and driving. The Light Oak top on my '99 was new in 2012 (or '13?) and has the rubbing wear marks as well as the black streak wear marks. The wear spots don't bother me so much as they are a necessary consequence of enjoying top-down motoring. What does irk me is that I have two "snake-bite" holes on the passenger side. There are screws holding it to the bows and the tips protrude and are sharp. Normally, when the top has folding memory it folds such that the screws do not contact any cloth. But when a top is new and doesn't yet have the folding memory, if it folds wrong (opposite) . . . snake bit! That happened to mine the week after I had it replaced. I realized what had happened right away and was careful to make sure it folded correctly after that and after a short while it "learned" and always folded properly. However, the damage had been done. I did go in and cut the tips off those screws so that they are flush, but, of course, too late. I wish the shop that installed it (a well-known Corvette specialty shop) had either prevented the problem (cut the tips off the screws) or at least had warned me of this possibility so I would have known to be careful until the folds were set. Live and learn. I will live with it for a few more years and will know better with the next top.
Last edited by K9Leader; Aug 11, 2020 at 09:17 AM.
I also leave my top down when the car is in the garage. However, I have recently had issues with deck lid protector (weather strip) coming off the car. I think this was due to the very high temps as of late causing the adhesive to fail. I suspect this would not have happened if the top had been up to "clamp" this piece in place. I have replaced the problem piece. However, I'm going to make a point of keeping the top up when I'm not driving in the future.
The OP mentioned using a towel when folding down the top. I feel that’s not necessary with our glass rear windows. I had a 65 convertible which had a plastic window and used a towel to keep the folded plastic from rubbing on itself when folded. When my 01 Vert is parked the top is up whether in the garage or outside. As mentioned it keeps it cleaner and also less damage from sun on the interior and gauges.
Regards, Frank
My top is down as often as possible and I often leave it down when parked in the garage. For a garage-kept car that doesn't get a lot of weather wear, the primary source of wear does appear to be its moving and rubbing while stowed and driving. The Light Oak top on my '99 was new in 2012 (or '13?) and has the rubbing wear marks as well as the black streak wear marks. The wear spots don't bother me so much as they are a necessary consequence of enjoying top-down motoring. What does irk me is that I have two "snake-bite" holes on the passenger side. There are screws holding it to the bows and the tips protrude and are sharp. Normally, when the top has folding memory it folds such that the screws do not contact any cloth. But when a top is new and doesn't yet have the folding memory, if it folds wrong (opposite) . . . snake bit! That happened to mine the week after I had it replaced. I realized what had happened right away and was careful to make sure it folded correctly after that and after a short while it "learned" and always folded properly. However, the damage had been done. I did go in and cut the tips off those screws so that they are flush, but, of course, too late. I wish the shop that installed it (a well-known Corvette specialty shop) had either prevented the problem (cut the tips off the screws) or at least had warned me of this possibility so I would have known to be careful until the folds were set. Live and learn. I will live with it for a few more years and will know better with the next top.
I learned about the sharp tipped screws from my friend who got "snake bit". The screws are like sheet metal screws with a very sharp tip. I had some small rubber caps that are actually made for placing on the tops of the posts in a dishwasher rack to prevent the wires from rusting when the coating wears off. I used them to cap the ends of the screws. I also had my light oak top replaced because of the black marks that seem to appear. The top manufacturer recommends that the car always be stored with the top up.
I learned
Last edited by rwlc5; Aug 13, 2020 at 05:33 AM.
Reason: correct text
Always top up when not driven....but I don't have my own garage.
I do put one of the detailing microfiber towel in between the glass on the fabric when I plan for long drive (20min +) ....not sure if it helps or not.
mine is 20 years old...and marked....and sewing seams start to wear...beside the fabric itself in some places on the side of the seam at the window level.
my 2 cents
TCFS
I keep my top up Unlatched with the sun visors down as a reminder to relatch it when taking it for a drive. It has always worked for me and for all I know this process keeps the material from stretching from long storage. The top still looks like new after 18 years stored in the garage with 72k miles on the odometer
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convertible top
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