Maintenance & care for your Jeep / Gypsy's Soft top We love our Jeeps and Gypsys. The ones with a soft top are usually more desirable since they give you the option of removing the top as well.
However, the soft tops have a disadvantage of getting dirty, soiled and creased since they are basically made up of fabric / vinyl.
With some knowledge on how to clean and protect your Gypsy / Jeep's soft cover, you can prolong its life span.
I'm compiling a list of methods below which i have gathered from websites and personal experience from my Gypsy days on the care and maintenance of soft tops. SOFT-TOP MATERIALS
Most soft tops are made of a durable polyacrylic/polyester canvas or vinyl. Some things to know before choosing cloth convertible top cleaners:
The fabric-like canvas (Jeeps) tops feel nice and look great, while the vinyl tops (gypsy) are more economical and easier to maintain.
Fabric tops have a tight weave, but they breathe.
Unlike vinyl tops, a canvas top is not waterproof, it is only water resistant. To make the canvas top waterproof, it must be treated.
Without protection, the canvas top is susceptible to leaking and stains.
Likewise, vinyl tops need protection from the sun and pollutants. DO:
DO use a CLEAN soft terry cloth or cotton rag to wash your windows
DO wipe the windows from left to right or right to left to clean them
DO rinse thoroughly to completely remove whatever cleaning agent you've used
DO apply a protectant to ultimately protect and extend the life of your entire soft top and its plastic/vinyl windows DON'T:
DO NOT use bleach -- it will strip the soft top's vinyl and plastic windows of their natural properties
DO NOT use common household cleaning products -- they tend to contain silicone or petrolem solvents
DO NOT use household spray window cleaners -- they tend to contain alcohol and/or ammonia which will rapidly dry out the natural oils in your windows
DO NOT use paper towels on the windows -- they will definitely scratch your windows
DO NOT apply much pressure while cleaning -- because even the smallest particles of dirt can scratch the window
DO NOT wipe in a circular or swirling pattern -- this goes aganst the natural grain of the Jeep windows themselves and could create scratches Other Tips:
Clean the soft top whenever you see dirt accumulate on either the attached vinyl windows or the top surface. Clear any pebbles or sharp objects from the soft top with your hands to prevent tearing.
Wash your soft top at least once a month (or when it is dusty or dirty) with a non-detergent-based auto shampoo. If your top is not dirty, rinse it thoroughly with plenty of cool water. Make sure the shampoo you use does not contain gloss-enhancing oils. If the shampoo contains oil, the top will absorb the oil and become a dust magnet.
The recommended tool for washing is a soft scrub brush. Do not use a scotch brite, sponge or wool mitt, as they will leave lint. If your top has soil marks, stains or bird droppings, use a small, stiff upholstery scrub brush. If you can rub the brush across the back of your hand without scratching your skin, it's safe to use on your soft top. Do not, however, use a scrub brush on the vinyl window. It will scratch. Make sure you rinse the top thoroughly with a stiff stream of water to remove all of the shampoo and dirt.
On canvas tops, dry using a synthetic chamois or microfiber towel. The best method is to use the towel or chamois to blot up the water. Don't wipe. Do not use a terry cloth towel or diaper to dry your canvas top, as they will leave lint. On vinyl tops, a synthetic chamois or microfiber towel will also work well, as will cotton towels. On vinyl windows, microfiber towels seem to work best.
Best way to protect the vinyl windows from yellowing is to use a plasticizer. I don't know if it is available in India but i had got a bottle (raggtop or something) once from Germany and it had lasted me 2 years (10 euros). Use it once a month on the windows and wipe dry. This plasticizer prevents the UV rays from attacking the vinyl windows. When UV rays hit a vinyl window, it causing a off-gassing reaction. This makes the vinyl porous and starts absorbing things which cause the yellowness.
Furniture polish is designed for interior use and was never intended to be used outdoors, therefore it only adds a coat of wax which is of no benefit to the vinyl. Many other products used on cars are petroleum based. Petroleum and ammonia based products slowly eat away the surface of vinyl and rubber causing more problems than they solve.
Store the soft top in a dry area when it's not in use. Cover the windows with a towel and then roll them up so the vinyl doesn't touch itself. This will prevent scratching. When you fold your top, make sure the fold lines are matching the natural fold lines. Do not create new ones. Also, always, wash, dry and then store your soft top.
If the buttons on the soft top are rusted, replace them and then store it otherwise you will get dirty permanent rust stains. I always have a box of atleast 20 buttons in stock. They are freely available and do not cost much. It takes hardly 5 minutes to replace a button. I can source these buttons if anyone wants them.
Take the backend of a candle and rub it like a pencil erasure along the zippers to prevent jamming (both sides - inside and outside)
Tips for the supporting rods for the soft top:
After removing the rods, make sure you store them in a non moist area and do not store anything on top of it or they will bend.
Always pouch and label the screws and use a small string and tie the bag to the frame so you will not misplace the screws.
Do not use rusted frames or they will stain the soft top. What i do is sand paper the rusted area and spray black paint (available at most paint and auto stores Rs. 200max - use 2 coats) and leave it to dry.
Alternative to spray paint - enamel paint, clear nail varnish or worse case urgent scenario use duct tape around the rod.
Last edited by Tejas@perioimpl : 18th December 2009 at 12:08.
Reason: typos
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