Soft Top

Soft top refers to any vehicle which has a convertible roof which has a soft covering of fabric or vinyl, which folds down to make the car open topped.

While all soft tops are convertibles, not all convertibles are soft tops, as there are removable hard tops and retractable hard tops which are also convertibles. However, in the mind of the public, 'soft top' has become the generic name for convertible and cabriolet vehicles. 

What it means

A soft top is the flexible roof fitted to many convertibles, cabriolets and roadsters. Instead of a fixed metal roof, the car has a folding frame covered with fabric (often mohair or canvas-style material) or vinyl. The soft top includes the outer skin, stitched seams, rear window (glass or plastic), inner lining, frame and the rubber seals and gutters that keep water out when the roof is raised. When lowered, the soft top folds into a compartment behind the seats or into the boot, giving full open-air driving.

Why it matters

• Protects you from the weather: A sound soft top and good seals keep rain, wind and noise out so the car is usable all year, not just on sunny days.
• Big impact on appearance: On a convertible, the soft top is a large, obvious area. Green algae, stains and fading can make an otherwise tidy car look scruffy and neglected.
• Common source of leaks: Seams, stitching, seals, gutters and drains around a soft top give many potential paths for water to find its way into the cabin or boot.
• Needs different care to paint: Fabric soft tops need specialist cleaners and proofers, while vinyl soft tops are cleaned and dressed more like plastic trim, not polished like bodywork.

Where you’ll see it

You will see the term soft top in sales listings, inspection reports and detailing or repair menus. Common phrases include soft top needs clean and reproof, soft top green with algae, soft top leaking at rear corners or soft top mechanism not operating. Specialists often distinguish between fabric soft tops (mohair, canvas-style) and vinyl soft tops because they use different products and methods for cleaning, proofing and repair.

Context

Soft tops are one of the main roof types on open cars, alongside retractable hard tops, removable hard tops and removable roof panels. A typical soft top has multiple layers of fabric or vinyl, stitched seams and a frame that folds in a set pattern. Over time, UV, weather and abrasion can fade the surface, flatten the pile, weaken waterproofing and age the stitching and seals. Proper care usually involves vacuuming, gentle but thorough cleaning to remove algae and road film, then using the correct roof proofer or dressing to restore water repellency and help keep dirt from sticking. Because the soft top sits at the boundary between exterior detailing and water-leak diagnosis, attention to gutters, seals and drains is just as important as the visible roof material.

Common mistakes

• Washing a soft top with strong TFR, household cleaners or stiff brushes, which can damage fibres, stitching and waterproofing on fabric roofs or dry out and crack vinyl.
• Ignoring green algae, bird stains or tree sap until they become permanent stains or start holding moisture against the roof and stitching.
• Assuming a leaking soft top always means the fabric has failed, when the real culprit is often blocked drains, dirty seals or perished stitching at seams.
• Operating a powered soft top when it is frozen, low on battery voltage or clearly obstructed, risking damage to the frame, motors and sensors.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 02/12/2025 23:49