Most people fall in love with their VW Beetle the moment they get in the driver’s seat. With that excitement comes the desire to help keep your vehicle looking in tip-top shape for as long as you own it. While keeping the inside detailed and the exterior clean and free from blemishes is important to keeping your Beetle looking like new, it is essential not to disregard the care of your convertible top. Check out the five tips below to help your convertible top look newer longer.
Give Your Top A Thorough Cleaning
One of the first steps to maintaining your convertible top is giving it a good cleaning. Choose a gentle cleaning car shampoo and water to clean off basic dirt and debris that can accumulate. You will want to scrub using a brush with soft scratch-free bristles to loosen any dirt that has become stuck.
If you find stains that are difficult to remove such as grease or ground on debris you can apply a cleaner made for convertible tops, apply it and scrub with your brush. Once you have removed the dirt, give the top a thorough rinse ensuring that all of the soap is removed.
Keep on Top of Your Windows
The back window of your convertible top will need some regular attention to prevent it from turning yellow or developing filmy debris that is hard to remove. Thoroughly clean your window, and if you wish to protect the window against scratching and yellowing, you can apply a plastic care product which will help keep your window in newer condition longer.
Dry Your Convertible Top
Once you have thoroughly cleaned and rinsed your convertible roof, you will want to dry off the surfaces with a soft towel. You can find towels specifically for your type of top, but if you want to use a household towel just make sure it is extremely soft and clean to avoid scratching.
Remove Lint
If you have a fabric top, you will want to remove the lint and debris that may have come off the towel that you dried your top with. Use a standard sticky back brush lint brush to remove the lint from all sections of the top. Try keeping a lint brush in your car as removing lint when you notice it is helpful to preserving the look of your car.
Apply a Protectant
Once you have finished cleaning and de-linting your top, you will want to add some protection to prevent it from fading or weathering. Select a convertible top protectant that suits the material of your top and apply it per the instructions on the top. It is important to note that it can be difficult to clear off overspray, so to make the job easier you can apply painters tape along the edges of your window and other features where the spray may overlap from the top.
Try the tips above to keep your Beetle convertible top looking newer and in great condition as long as you can. Remember, the more often you maintain your top, the less likely damage is to occur.
“Image Via Flickr by M 93: Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen” CC BY 2.0
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