I just put a fresh top on my vert and I am wondering if anyone knows how to prevent or reduce the tearing that commonly happens behing each of the gutters. I have purchased some vinyl protection and plan on religiously using it. But is there anything else I can do

 

Convertible tops are a wear item like brake pads or timing belt in a piston engine. The best thing is to probably keep the top up when you're not using it so the vinyl is not folded all the time. But I'm not sure how much if any that would extended the life of the top.

You could try convertible top cleaner but again how much extra life you would get if any is unclear. Being in SJ cold isnt the nemesis so much as drying out from the heat.

Next time you need a top you might ask your supplier about vinyl vs cloth. Cloth is more pliant and less susceptible to getting dried out and brittle, but much more expensive.

Good luck

 

i would just wash it with soap and water and leave it alone, dont put anything else on it

 

I am jealous of your black verts. Thanks for the info

 

The best product on the market in my opinion is Ragg Top. Get the vinyl kit that has the cleaner and conditioner. It's about $30. The conditioner keeps the top from getting the chalky appearance. Not sure if the chalkyness is detrimental to the top or not, but it looks like crap to me. Most will vouch for RaggTop's performance if you do a Google search.

 

It's the sun that dries out the top causing it to shrink. Keep it in a garage, or at least under a car cover when ever possible is the best strategy.

I applaud your ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure attitude.

I've been driving Verts since the early '90s, so thus my experience.

 

X03 is the best protection going in my research.