Ragtop Restoration

There's nothing, I repeat, nothing cooler than cruisin' in a convertible coupe—top down, wind blowing your hair, sun burning your nose, and sippin' a cold soda. Ah, the memories!

Time in a Bottle
Unfortunately, time takes its toll. Your hair thins, your skin bears the scars of too much sun and that soft-top earns the nickname "ragtop." Just as there are products to mask or fix sun-damaged skin, there are products and techniques to get that ragtop back to its youthful look. Even if your soft-top is shredded, all is not lost.


First, the easy fix for faded tops. As a rule, American and Japanese soft-tops are made from vinyl-coated or vinyl-impregnated fabric, while European convertibles are uncoated fabric. This is important to know as the product line-up is different depending on the type of material used. If you're unsure, check with the manufacturer. While plain-fabric tops fade more severely than their vinyl cousins, the advantage is that they can be re-dyed in the comfort of your own driveway.

To Dye For
The re-dying starts with a thoroughly clean top and a convertible top reviver-type product. Mask off chrome, paint and glass surfaces with a special auto tape and a lightweight drop cloth—and have a damp cloth ready to quickly catch any drips. Some manufacturers recommend application with a brush, sponge, or airbrush, but this is not the time or place to hone your airbrush skills. Stick to the sponge or brush method unless you're a veteran airbrusher.


Start the application at the center front of the top and proceed, side to side toward the back. Let the top dry for at least 24 hours. Seriously faded fabric tops may require a second coat, which can be applied after the first application has thoroughly dried. Once the fabric looks like new, use a weather-proofing product to keep it looking that way. Most of these protective products require the same type of application, masking and drying time.