Convertible Top Creases

[Gerald C.]

To all,

I have attached pictures of creases in my top. The top was down for quite a while, but has been up for about a month and the creases aren't going away.

Can you all take a look and hopefully help me get these out. I tried a hair dryer to no avail. Or just wait until summer and let the sun try to get them out?

Thanks in advance,

Jerry

[Don H.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Years ago I was told by Al Knock to wet the inside with a spray bottle and let it sit in the hot sun. Good luck, Don H.

[Richard M.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Just the other day I helped a friend remove his hardtop from his '67. When we raised the soft top we had identical wrinkles. I brought my Conair Steamer over with me thinking we may need it. It took nearly all of them out. His top is black and if he sets it outside in the sun it will be even better.

I use the same water spray on the inside and out in the sun on occasion. On white tops, cut some black trashbags open and lay them over the white top for better heat transfer.

Here's the steamer, about $35 at most stores. My local Best Buy had it on the shelf when I bought it years ago.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/conair-extremesteam-professional-handheld-garment-steamer-white-blue/6627506.p?skuId=6627506

[Dereck S.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Richard
Bought the same Conair steamer at Best Buy earlier in the week. Before I attempt to use it on my soft top wrinkles. Do you put a rag over the end or just apply the end of the steamer directly on the top vinyl wrinkled areas? Don't want to inadvertently damage the top. It's a brand new Al Knoch Kennedy cut top and looks great. I had my vinyl covered hardtop on in the fall so the soft top was tucked away and got wrinkled.
thanks
Dereck

[Richard M.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Dereck,

I keep the steamer a few inches away from the vinyl so only the steam itself hits it. I try to not let the unit touch it. I also use it on the inside the same way. Keep a clean soft towel handy to dab any drips or heavy moisture off before it cools. I usually perform 2 or 3 steam-then-let-cool cycles to flatten the wrinkles. I find it works best by concentrating the steam flow at the bulges of the wrinkles, i.e the part bulging outward. Use good quality water in the steamer. I usually use distilled water.

Here is a example on a C1 top. Those wrinkles in the rear quarter were on each side after final fit. After the steaming.....wrinkles gone.

I also steam the rear vinyl window the same way if needed.

Before


After


Here's another really old rough, improperly installed top on a '56. After I refastened the rear straps and restapled the entire rear bow it still had lots of wrinkles. I couldn't get them all out, but you can see what a difference it made.

Before


After

[Michael H.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Gerald,

I would look at putting it out in the hot sun when it returns that should take of the wrinkles.

Mike

[Dereck S.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Richard,
Excellent guidance. Here are some before photos. The driver's side has more wrinkles than the passenger's side. I'll give it a go. I appreciate the help.
Dereck

[Gerald C.]

Re: Convertible Top Creases

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do have a steamer and I'll give that a try. otherwise, I'll just wait for the hot summer sun!

Jerry