Getting Your Convertible Ready for Summer

With spring cleaning behind us and those hot summer days becoming visible on the horizon, there are lots of things that you ought to be doing to get your convertible ready for long drives with the top down. Whether you are going to the beach or to the mountains, use this list to help ensure that you spend more time at your destination and not broken down on the side of the road.

• Check Your Tire Pressure: When the temperature dial goes up, suddenly road trips to visit extended family or long drives to the lake that once sounded tiresome sound inspired! Before setting out with your bags packed, be sure to check the tire pressure on each of your wheels – including the spare. The summer heat can make blowouts more likely, which would certainly put a damper on your excursion.

• Inspect/Replace Your Wiper Blades: This is something that many of us likely do not do often enough. Once the sun comes out, it is wishful thinking to believe it will stay that way forever! Your wiper blades should be replaced every 12 to 18 months, and this is an affordable fix to ensure your safety on the road. But don’t worry – those summer storms have a way of passing through, and before you know it, you can be back to having the windows and soft top down.

• Cleaning the Top: Just like waxing your car before the winter, it is important to clean and condition your soft top at the beginning of summer, before it is exposed to prolonged sun exposure. First, while parked in the shade, mix a little bit of shampoo with a bucket of water, lightly scrub away the dirt and grime from your soft top and rinse thoroughly with some clean water. Next, repeat the process with a soft top cleaning agent like our RAGGTOPP Cleaner, available for both fabric and vinyl tops. Beware of products that contain abrasive powders or chlorine based bleaching agents that can seriously damage your convertible top and cause seam threads to deteriorate. 

• Cleaning the Rear Window: It may not occur to some drivers that their plastic rear windows must be cleaned differently than glass windows. Instead of using Windex or other cleaners for glass, spend a few dollars for plastic window cleaner, and gently clean using a microfiber cloth. A rougher fabric or sponge might scratch the plastic, harming your visibility when driving. Rinse and repeat the process for optimal visibility.

Job well done! If you follow these simple steps, your convertible will be ready to zoom down the road for your summer vacation in no time. Where are you headed this year? Share with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!