Cleaning and caring for a convertible top: fabric and plastic
A convertible top is first brushed dry, then washed with clear cold water and a soft brush, and only treated with a special cleaner when it is heavily soiled. The ADAC explicitly advises against pointing a pressure washer at the roof. Impregnation follows, and it has to dry fully before the first rain.
As of: August 2026
How do I clean a fabric convertible top properly?
In three stages, from gentle to strong: first brush it dry with a soft natural bristle brush along the weave or vacuum it, then work with clear cold water and the same brush, and only reach for a dedicated top cleaner on stubborn dirt. The ADAC warns that household stain removers do not belong on a top.
- Brush the dry top with a soft natural bristle brush along the weave, or vacuum it with a soft nozzle
- Loosen coarse dirt with clear cold water and the same brush, without scrubbing
- Only on stubborn stains, apply a dedicated top cleaner and respect the maker's contact time
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water so no cleaner residue is left behind
- Let the top dry fully in the open position, and only then impregnate or close it
What must I never use on a convertible top?
Anything aggressive and anything under pressure: pressure washers, steam jets, household stain removers, solvent based products and hard brushes. The ADAC names the direct high pressure jet on the roof as a risk to seams and seals, and household stain removers leave blotchy patches in the fabric.
| Pressure washer | The jet can damage seams, seals and the impregnation (ADAC) |
| Household stain remover | Attacks the coating and leaves blotchy patches (ADAC) |
| Solvents and thinners | Dissolve dye and adhesive in the fabric, the damage stays visible |
| Hard brushes and sponges | Abrade the fabric and open it up to water and dirt |
| Ice scraper on the rear window | Scratches the plastic window permanently (ADAC) |
How often does a convertible top need impregnating?
Always after a deep clean, and beyond that whenever water stops beading and soaks into the fabric instead. What counts is the instruction on the care product you use, not a fixed calendar interval. Important per the ADAC: fresh impregnation must dry completely before the first rain and the first wash.
How do I look after the plastic rear window?
Only with plenty of water, a soft cloth and a plastic cleaner, never wiped dry and never with an ice scraper. The ADAC is unambiguous here: ice scrapers scratch the window permanently. Light scratches can be softened with special polishes, but a clouded window usually means a new top.
Can a convertible go through an automatic car wash?
With a plastic top usually yes, especially in facilities that use soft textile strips instead of brushes. For fabric tops the ADAC recommends hand washing instead. If you still use the machine, pick a programme without a high pressure roof nozzle, skip hot wax and check that every seal closes cleanly.
How do I store a convertible over winter?
Closed, dry and ventilated. For storage the ADAC recommends a well ventilated space with the top closed and a window left slightly open. A damp or dirty top must never be folded away, otherwise you get creases and mildew stains that no later cleaning will remove.
- Clean the top before storage and let it dry completely
- Treat the rubber seals with a silicone care product so they do not stick
- Park the car with the top closed, never with it folded away
- Ventilate the storage space well and leave a window slightly open
- In spring check seals, seams and rear window before opening the roof for the first time
How much does top condition affect resale value?
Substantially, because replacing a top is one of the expensive single items and every buyer looks straight at it: seams, creases, mildew stains, clarity of the rear window. There is no reliable percentage for this, so the only honest check is real market prices for the same model and year.
General information without guarantee, no legal advice for individual cases. Fees and procedures vary by registration office and insurer.