Hood

A 'hood' is the name given to a fabric convertible roof in British-English. Not to be confused with bonnet.

What it means

The hood is the whole folding roof assembly on a convertible or cabriolet. It includes the outer fabric or vinyl skin, stitched seams, frame, hinges, tensioning cables, rear window, inner lining and the rubber seals and gutters around it. On most modern soft tops the hood is fabric or mohair-style material, while some cars have a folding hardtop that is still casually referred to as the hood. When the hood is raised it should keep out rain, wind and noise. When lowered it folds away into a compartment behind the seats or in the boot so you can drive open-top.

Why it matters

On a convertible, more of the visible surface is fabric than most owners realise. Green growth, staining and fading across an area that large will make an otherwise tidy car look neglected from across a car park, whatever condition the paint is in.

Function matters just as much as appearance. Sound fabric and good seals keep the cabin dry, cut wind noise and make the car usable through winter rather than only in July. Seams, seals, drains and moving parts also put a hood high on the list of routes water takes into a cabin or boot once anything is blocked, worn or out of alignment. Cost is what ties it together: replacing a hood, its rear screen or its mechanism is specialist work at specialist prices, so cleaning, proofing and maintenance are cheap by comparison.

Hood or bonnet? Where the word appears

Sales listings, inspection reports and repair menus for convertibles all use it, in notes such as hood needs clean and reproof, hood leaking at rear corners, hood mechanism noisy or new hood fitted. British usage means the convertible roof; American usage means what we call the bonnet, so context decides which is meant.

Context

The hood sits at the meeting point between exterior detailing, water leak diagnosis and, on powered roofs, mechanical and electrical repair. Fabric hoods need careful cleaning and a dedicated proofing product to stay waterproof and resist algae. Vinyl hoods are cleaned and dressed differently and do not need the same kind of proofing as woven fabric. Folding hardtop hoods are treated more like body panels and glass, but still rely on seals and drains that need attention. Whatever the construction, a neglected hood can lead to leaks, musty interiors, mould, electrical problems and reduced resale value. In our workshop, a hood in genuinely good condition is rarer than it should be; most soft-top cars arrive having never had a dedicated reproof, and the difference a proper clean and proofer makes to water behaviour is immediately obvious.

Common mistakes

• Scrubbing the hood with strong TFR, household cleaners or stiff brushes, which can damage the fabric, stitching and waterproof layer.
• Ignoring green growth, stains or slow leaks around the hood until the roof fabric is permanently marked and the interior is damp and musty.
• Assuming a leaking hood always means the fabric has failed, when the real issue is often blocked drains, dirty seals or poor adjustment.
• Operating a powered hood when it is frozen, low on battery voltage or clearly obstructed, risking expensive damage to the frame, rams or motors.

Authored by Danny Argent. Reviewed by Gary Wray. Last updated 16 May 2026.