How to Choose a Convertible Top Replacement | TopsOnline Blog

If you have a convertible and are shopping for a new soft top, you’ve probably seen that there are a lot of choices and options, which can be overwhelming. This guide will cut through the confusion to give you the need-to-know details that will help you be sure to choose the right convertible top for your vehicle.

We have been in the convertible top industry since 1987, so have decades of experience that we can pass on to you. As the largest online distributor of replacement convertible tops, we help you avoid replacement mistakes because:

• We Only Work with the Best Convertible Top Manufacturers - We know which convertible top manufacturers cut corners, have high return rates, inferior products and poor craftsmanship, so don’t offer their products. As a result we can offer a Worry Free Warranty.
  
  
• We Have Experience with Thousands of Customers & Convertibles - We have worked with virtually every model convertible there is from the oldies to the classics, to the performance cars and luxury cars, and we know the gotchas and nuances for each.  This lets us ensure the replacement convertible tops that we sell are tops that will perform and tops you are going to be happy with.
  
  
• Our Volume Gives Us Buying Power - As the leader in online convertible top sales we can’t be beat on value or selection, so you can save time shopping while also saving money.  

When shopping for a replacement convertible top, there are a three main elements that you need to understand, which we will discuss in more detail below:

1. FIT
2. MATERIAL
3. WINDOWS

1. Convertible Top Replacement Fit

The key for a great looking and great performing convertible top replacement is the fit, which is largely driven by the patterns and manufacturing techniques that are used when constructing the replacement soft top.  Using original factory patterns and computer-driven cutting, piecing and sewing, ensures that your convertible top will be made to original specifications, just like it was on the original showroom. These are standards that TopsOnline has when choosing which replacement convertible tops to offer. 

Also, because differences in trim packages or chassis sometimes mean that there are differences in the convertible top, you need to purchase a new convertible top from a company that knows these important nuances. For example, 1987-1989 Chevy Camaro convertible tops come in two widths. Another example is the Austin Healey 1956-1958 100-6 BN4 convertibles with a Longbridge built model and an Abingdon built model, which use different soft tops. Pontiac Sunbird and Sunfire, Volkswagen Cabrio and Chevy Cavalier are more examples where nuances between models or trim will affect which soft top replacement you buy. Working with a long-time expert in the convertible industry, like TopsOnline, will ensure all of these “gotchas” which affect fit and performance are understood and will be communicated clearly to help you avoid purchasing mistakes.

All of the replacement convertible tops offered by TopsOnline are guaranteed to fit your year, make and model. When shopping with us, we even have built in safeguards, like model year verification at checkout and on our shipping floor, so we can keep you covered during the shopping process and help you ensure you have the proper soft top for your convertible. 

2. Convertible Top Materials

The next element to understand is material, since most replacement convertible tops will have a choice of several materials. Generally, soft tops will fall into two categories: Cloth or Vinyl. 

Cloth Convertible Top Materials

First, let’s talk about cloth convertible soft tops, which are often referred to as “canvas” since it is very tightly woven fabric and in some cases it’s referred to as “mohair”. Cloth convertible tops are actually composed of several layers of materials which are fused together and when you are shopping, you are mostly choosing the outer facing material and color. It’s worth noting that some European and American convertible tops will also have an option for the color of the backing material. Here are the canvas convertible top materials you’ll find for reputable soft tops:

Vinyl Convertible Top Materials

Now let’s review vinyl convertible top options. Vinyl convertible tops have a plastic outer that is textured to mimic natural grains, like leather, or synthetic textures, like pinpoint or weave. Convertible owners will go with vinyl for a few main reasons including less maintenance and easier cleaning than their cloth counterparts. Vinyl convertible tops are very durable, are waterproof, come in a variety of textures and colors and are often less expensive than cloth soft tops. For these reasons you might want to choose a vinyl replacement convertible top. One tradeoff for vinyl convertible tops is that they are not as sound proof as the canvas alternative. Here are the main vinyl material options: 

Should you choose a cloth or vinyl replacement convertible top?

The good news is that choosing a cloth soft top or a vinyl soft top really comes down to preference. Do you like the look of cloth or do you prefer the look of vinyl?  Do you want to keep the look of your existing convertible top or change it up? Sometimes it will come down to the budget that you have to work with and if you need to choose a more economical topping material or whether you can go for premium. 

More good news when choosing between cloth and vinyl convertible tops, is that for any particular replacement convertible top, you aren’t going to have the entire list as shown above. Typically you will have 2 options for materials and in some cases more, but you would never have the entire list shown above. So, check out your year, make and model at TopsOnline to see which materials are available for your vehicle and then compare them on this list. One of the benefits of shopping with us is that we will have more material and color options than other sites because we work with several manufacturers, so offer a more expansive catalog. For a more in-depth article about material details, see this Buying Guide on Cloth vs. Vinyl Tops.

Weather Considerations When Choosing a Soft Top

So much of convertible life is about the weather and it extends beyond whether it’s going to rain or not to determine if you can put your top down. Convertibles are like relationships – they require maintenance and consideration. With both maintenance and consideration, you can have a happy relationship with your convertible top for many years. 

Convertibles really don’t like extremes.  Extremely cold temperatures can make the top – cloth or vinyl alike – more rigid and harder to open and close. There is some protection in the fact that in frigid temperatures you probably don’t want to put your top down. However, if you do, you should open and close your top inside a temperature regulated garage so the material is more supple and flexible. Opening and closing a cold top can tear the top or reduce its overall integrity and longevity. 

Likewise, convertible tops require consideration for extreme heat, which can wear on both cloth and vinyl tops. Vinyl convertible tops are susceptible to damage from UV rays and heat, so maintaining the integrity of your vinyl top with a vinyl protectant is key to prevent fading and cracking. Cloth tops also should be treated regularly with a protectant, which should be done anytime water does not bead on the surface of the canvas.

Some people will wonder if a vinyl top offers more protection from rain and water than a cloth convertible top. Cloth soft tops won’t repel water like a vinyl soft top, and will be wet on the outer layer but that moisture won’t penetrate the inner waterproof core. So, both types of tops have the same overall water protection for the interior of your convertible and neither holds an advantage over the long run for water proofing your interior. 

3. Convertible Top Windows

The final factor to understand when shopping for a replacement convertible top is regarding the rear view window. There are two types of windows available on soft tops: glass or plastic.  Not every convertible top will have an option for each, so the first thing to do is check whether your year/make/model has window options. If there are both glass and plastic window options, then here are some considerations and distinctions for each:

Convertible Tops with Glass Windows

Glass windows are often preferred for their durability compared to plastic windows. They are more scratch resistant also, but are often smaller than plastic windows, giving you a smaller range of vision out the rear of the top. Our convertible tops use DOT-rated safety glass, so they are safe to use within your vehicle.

Depending on your convertible, you may have an option for regular glass or defroster glass when replacing your convertible top. If you already have defroster glass, you can downgrade to plain glass if you choose. However, if you don’t have a defroster mechanism in your vehicle already and would like to purchase defroster glass on your new convertible top, then you will need to install a defrosting mechanism into your vehicle to power the defroster function of the glass.  Typically convertible owners will stick with the type of glass that is already installed on their vehicle. 

Convertible Tops with Plastic Windows

Plastic windows are lighter and less expensive, which can be appealing, especially if you are on a budget. They are also softer and flexible, which can have its pros and cons. With softness they are more prone to scratches and with flexibility, they are more prone to damage. Just like with glass windows, they are DOT-rated for safety and use 40-gauge plastic. One benefit of plastic windows is that they are often bigger when compared to the size of the glass options, so your visibility out of your rear window can be good. 

Choosing Between Glass and Plastic Windows

Again with windows, just like with material, the choice will come down to preference. Both window options are offered on hundreds of convertible models because they are both solid choices. 

It’s worth noting that although plastic windows are bigger, they are flexible and will fold to fit inside the well area of your vehicle (where your convertible top is stored when down). Some models, which do not have a large enough well area to hold a glass window without breaking it will not offer glass options or will specify that the window area should be removed first and stored manually in the well area before the rest of the top is lowered.

Final Advice When Shopping for a Convertible Top

Shopping for a replacement convertible top doesn't have to be stressful. Shop with a reputable convertible top supplier with a full catalog, like TopsOnline, and see what your Fit + Material + Window options are. You can keep things simple by choosing an exact replacement, but you can also change things up with material or window type. If we can help answer questions related to your convertible top purchase, we’d be happy to help.