Care for your Convertible Top
Ask for our Tradition of Excellence brochure which we pack in every box in which our products are shipped. This brochure contains care and cleaning recommendations, and information regarding our warranty policy.
ALWAYS leave a new top and glass or plastic window in the up position for a minimum of 24 hours for tops made in PVC Vinyl toppings, and one week for tops made in cloth toppings, after our products were installed. As convertible top frames age, links and joints wear and top frames do not have the same alignment as when convertibles were new. Leaving convertible tops and glass windows in the up position after installation allows them time to relax and adjust, or become “seasoned” to the top frame.
ALWAYS follow the instructions in your Owner’s Manual for lowering and raising your Top, unless Robbins provides different guidelines for our products.
ALWAYS keep the top well area free of objects, especially if your Top has a Glass Window. Even harmless looking objects such as beach towels can cause glass windows to break. Objects in your top well can further cause unnecessary wear and stress on top frames, plus cause damage to your top and to plastic windows as well.
ALWAYS unlatch Top at front before unzipping, or zipping window closed in any convertible top, unless different instructions appear in your owners manual or Robbins brochure, which overrides this instruction.
ALWAYS keep your Top, Tonneau Cover, Glass or Plastic Window, etc., clean.
DO NOT raise or lower convertible tops, glass or plastic window assemblies when the temperature is below 40 degrees (5 degrees Centigrade) since this can cause damage to the topping, plastic windows and other components.
DO NOT lower your convertible top, glass or plastic window when the top is wet, to avoid discoloration or other damage to the topping or inside backing.
DO NOT store away wet top boots or tonneau covers, to avoid discoloration and shrinking that can cause these products to no longer fit.
INSTALLATION OF OUR PRODUCTS: Robbins strongly recommends that convertible owners always have our convertible tops, glass windows and other products installed at Automotive Upholstery and Trim Shops. Trim Shops have the tools and experience to correctly install our tops and other products on your convertible.
ALWAYS WATCH YOUR CONVERTIBLE TOP (AND GLASS OR PLASTIC WINDOW) AS IT IS LOWERED OR RAISED: Watch for any irregular motion, snagging or other problems. If you notice any problems and your convertible is still under new car Warranty, immediately go to your dealer to have your convertible top frame inspected.
AS CONVERTIBLE AGE: When convertibles are out of warranty, the top frame, bow links and other frame components may no longer have the alignment they did when your convertible was new. Weatherseals, Care for Your Convertible Top 13 top frame pads or straps, side and rear cables, rain rails etc., may need to be replaced to avoid water leakage and damage to tops and window assemblies. Not replacing weatherseals can result in wind noise and water leakage when you replace your top. If rust develops on your top frame, have it removed and your top frame repainted to protect your top frame and convertible top.
LEAVE YOUR TOP UP WHEN NOT DRIVING: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
ASK FOR YOUR ROBBINS WARRANTY CARD: Robbins packs our warranty card in the box with every product we manufacture. Ask the Automotive Upholstery and Trim Shop which installed your convertible top, glass or plastic window to give you our Warranty Card for your records.
GLASS WINDOWS: Glass Windows should be cleaned with water based glass cleaners only. Please be extremely careful when cleaning Heater/Defroster glass windows not to scratch the defroster lines or to break the power source connector wire. Cleaner should never be allowed to drip into seams or heat seals.
PLASTIC WINDOWS: Plastic windows in convertible Tops should be cleaned frequently. Be sure to hose or blow off loose dirt particles from surface first, and then use either plain water or mild soap and water solution. Apply with a soft cloth or tissue to gently clean window. Always clean in a side to side or a top to bottom motion, NEVER in a circular motion, (cleaning in a circular motion can damage plastic windows). There are also several good plastic cleaners available such as “Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Formula 17”. Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows.
USE OF VINYL PRESERVATIVES: We do NOT recommend use of other penetrating vinyl preservatives, conditioners or dressings on Tops, Tonneau Covers, and other products.
CLEANING TOPS, TONNEAU COVERS AND OTHER PRODUCTS MADE IN CLOTH OR VINYL TOPPINGS: We strongly recommend hand washing convertible tops and other products. Tops and other products made in vinyl toppings can be cleaned using Malco Leather and Plastic Cleaner. Products made in Cloth (and Vinyl) toppings can be cleaned with 303 Convertible Top Cloth and Vinyl Cleaners and Protectants.
Note: 303 products are the only cleaner and protectant authorized by Robbins Auto Tops.
While Car Washes generally will not harm convertible Tops made in Cloth or Vinyl Toppings, never allow a car wash to apply spray wax to your convertible Top. For general hand washing of our products, use Ivory or similar mild soap flakes in a bucket of lukewarm water. In hard water areas add Calgon (not to be confused with dishwasher detergent) or water softener until the water feels slippery. Never use hot water to wash convertible tops or related products.
ALWAYS Wash Tops, Tonneau Covers, etc. in the shade, never in direct sun.
ALWAYS Wash entire Top, Tonneau Cover, etc. Never spot clean to avoid rings or bright spots.
ALWAYS Wet entire car before washing Top. Use sponge or soft bristle brush to apply suds. Do not use a chamois or cloth since these will leave lint on Cloth Tops.
ALWAYS Rinse well with hose, making sure to remove all traces of soap. Wipe off excess water with sponge. Please be careful to hose down entire car to prevent soap from streaking paint.
ALWAYS Install Tonneau Covers and Top Boots after cleaning while still damp to preserve fit and shape.
ALWAYS Try to move Tops into direct sun after cleaning and thorough rinsing to dry. Chamois all excess water off body of car.
DO NOT Use detergents, bleaches, harsh cleansers, cleaners or abrasives.
DO NOT Use dry-cleaning solvents, etc.
DO NOT Use hot water.
DO NOT Lower or cover convertible tops when wet or damp. This can lead to mildew growth and in extreme cases can cause discoloration, or rotting of topping.