Maintenance

Convertible cars do require a little more maintenance than a normal car if problems are to be avoided. 

We cannot give a schedule for when maintenance should be done because it depends on where you park your car, and how often you use the convertible roof. A car which is parked under a tree will need far more care than a car that is kept garaged. However, we can give you a checklist of things to watch out for.

1. Clean your car regularly, make sure the roof is free from dirt and dust as much as possible.
2. Manually clean the rubbers yourself (without using harsh detergents, which might dry them out). It is essentially these are kept clean, and they will not get done at an automated car wash, or even a standard hand car wash.
3. Check your weatherproof coating. After it rains, the hood should be damp but not wet. If it is sopping wet, it is time to re-proof the hood.
4. Prepare your car for the summer, most of the wear to your car will occur when you are putting the roof up and down. Grit in the hood's fabric will cause an abrasive effect that will cause permanent damage, so have your hood properly cleaned.
5. Prepare your car for the winter. The roof greening will happen in the wet months, so ensure your weatherproof coating is topped up in the Autumn. 
6. Follow your nose. Does your car smell damp? Is there excessive condensation on the windows? You may have a leak. The quicker you act, the better.
7. Read the manual. Your vehicle's manual may include additional information about lubrication and maintenance. 

If in doubt, ask! It pays to care for your hood, keep on top of maintenance, and deal with any issues quickly. If you are unsure, don't be afraid to consult the dealership, owner's clubs and forums, or send us a message.

What it means

Maintenance is everything you do to look after a car between breakdowns and big failures. It covers the routine, planned jobs like servicing, fluid changes, tyre checks and cleaning, as well as periodic inspections for leaks, rust, worn components and cosmetic wear. Good maintenance keeps the mechanical parts working properly and also looks after paintwork, soft tops, rubbers and interiors so they age more slowly and are less likely to fail or leak.

Why it matters

• Prevents expensive problems: Spotting worn seals, blocked drains, tired rubbers or early water leaks during maintenance is far cheaper than dealing with full blown water damage, rust or electrical issues later.
• Keeps the car safe and reliable: Regular checks on brakes, tyres, steering, lights and fluids reduce the risk of breakdowns and safety critical faults.
• Protects appearance and value: Looking after paint, soft tops and interiors with sensible cleaning and protection helps the car look good for longer and supports resale value.
• Supports warranties and inspection reports: A well documented maintenance history reassures buyers, inspectors and warranty providers that the car has been cared for properly.

Where you’ll see it

You will see maintenance mentioned in service books, inspection reports and care plans. Typical phrases include routine maintenance required, lack of maintenance evident, soft top requires maintenance clean and proof or drainage maintenance recommended to prevent leaks. In glossaries and estimates it may be used to distinguish ongoing care from one-off repair work or restoration.

Context

Maintenance sits alongside repair and restoration. Repair deals with things that have already gone wrong, while restoration tries to put something tired back to as-new. Maintenance is the steady, regular attention that slows down wear and helps avoid both. In the context of water leaks and soft tops, maintenance includes keeping drains clear, cleaning away roof green and grit, checking rubbers and seals, and reproofing fabrics at sensible intervals. For paintwork it means washing correctly, decontaminating when needed and topping up protection so coatings and waxes can do their job. Following the manufacturer’s mechanical service schedule and adding sensible cosmetic and leak prevention tasks is usually the best overall approach.

Common mistakes

• Treating maintenance as optional and only visiting a garage when something breaks, rather than following regular service and inspection intervals.
• Focusing only on mechanical servicing and ignoring bodywork, roofs, rubbers and drainage, which can lead to leaks and water damage.
• Using harsh products or poor techniques in the name of maintenance - for example strong TFR on soft tops - that actually accelerate wear and damage.
• Assuming cosmetic maintenance such as cleaning and proofing is “just looks”, when in reality it plays a big part in preventing leaks, corrosion and premature roof failure.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/12/2025 16:03