July 2010 : Download the Print Version : Caring For & Protecting Your Convertible Top & Windows : Someone You Should Know – Visiting Angels : Fun Events

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Caring For and Protecting Your Convertible Top & Windows

Your cloth convertible top is waterproof… for now.  Cloth tops are chemically treated during manufacturing to repel water and contamination, but these chemicals wear off over time.  How long will this factory repellant last? That depends on usage and the environment, so it’s best to keep a close eye on your top.

Regular washings will result in a gradual reduction of water repellence, so you’ll want to watch carefully for signs of water puddles or wet spots where water has clearly penetrated the fabric. If you see these signs, it’s time to let us reapply the protectant. While you may be able to get away with an annual re-treating, it is recommended to re-treat at the beginning and end of the Summer season, to protect against heat and UV rays, as well as the harsher weather during Fall and Winter.

And about those windows… The plexiglass windows on convertible tops fade and yellow over time. Using the wrong cleaners and materials can result in scratching. Fresh Start can restore them at a fraction of the cost of installing new windows.

Convertible Top Care Tips

Caring for a soft top properly will result in years of good service and few problems, while neglect can quickly lead to leaks and other issues. Caring for a convertible top requires both cleaning and protection.

First, if you’re going to care for the top yourself, always consult the owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Manufacturers usually include a details on how to clean and protect the top. Some may also recommend particular products for care and maintenance.

• Keep your convertible top as clean as possible, especially during the warm months when it will be raised and lowered frequently.
• Bird droppings should always be removed immediately, as they are highly acidic, and can cause damage.
• Rinsing the top with water on a regular basis or whenever the car is washed is often enough to keep the top in good condition, but at least twice a year, the top should be washed with a cleaning product designed for convertible tops.
• Washing should be done in the shade, starting with a rinse and then an application of the cleaner. A soft brush or sponge can be used to gently scrub the top before rinsing it clean.

The rear window will also need to be cleaned. It is important to determine whether the window is glass, or vinyl (Plexiglas).

• Vinyl windows require products designed for cleaning vinyl, as they may cloud or crack otherwise.
• In both cases, the window should be gently wiped with a lint cloth before cleaning, to remove large particles which could scratch the window.

After the convertible top has been washed and allowed to dry, a conditioning product can be applied to keep it supple. While conditioning the top, it is a good idea to check for weak points at the seams, or holes in the top. These can be repaired with top repair kits when they are small, avoiding more costly repairs later. It is also a good idea to clean and condition the rubber gaskets which seal the edges of the convertible top, so that they do not crack or distort, causing leaks.

Convertibles should be garaged, to protect them from harmful UV radiation which can cause cracking and fading. If a garage is not available, cover the vehicle with a car cover or tarp. Also, the top should not be left down for a prolonged period of time, as it will develop wrinkles which are prone to cracking.

Follow these tips and it in twice a year and you’ll enjoy that convertible for years to come!

Someone You Should Know

Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels Senior Home Care Services  can assist you in locating the closest Visiting Angels agency to where your homecare request is needed.  As “America’s Choice in Homecare”® providing home care services in the Portland area, we know it isn’t easy to make the decision to invite a caregiver into your home to provide home care service.  Our personalized screening system is designed to give you peace of mind.  With our “Select Your Caregiver” program, you will have the opportunity to interview any caregiver that we refer to you for homecare service.  Because we are a non-medical agency and not a nursing agency, Visiting Angels home care service does not dictate to you what your schedule is to be (i.e. what time to wake up, when to bathe, meal schedules etc.).  It is our job to adjust to your schedule and to keep your loved one comfortable in their home.

Visiting Angels
10000 SW Wilshire
Portland OR 97225
1-800-365-4189
www.visitingangels.com

Fun Events

Portland International Beer Festival
Sand In The City
Portland Highland Games
Oregon Brewer’s Fest (the big one at Waterfront Park)
International Pinot Noir Celebration
Portland Bridge Festival
Tillamook Air Museum NW Classics
Bite of Oregon
Elephant Garlic Festival (this is fun!)

Fresh Start Detail Company
12130 SW Broadway
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-641-3285
jason@freshstartdetail.com
www.freshstartdetail.com

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