Just to give everyone a quick background, I have had this car since new and this is my 2nd top, I have been religious about taking care of it and only drive the car in bad weather if I have to, and then I follow that up as soon as possible with a hand wash / and filtered water rinse. When the car is sitting for more than about 1 hour or at a show the top is always up and latched to maintain shape.
I only put the distilled water 2 times in one day on the top to help it stretch out that first day.
Yes, stang94X is correct don't use any cleaners or even soap (especially never use detergents, dish soap) on the new top for about a week, and don't apply the sealer for about a week to let the top season in and adapt to your frame.
Covering your car (other than your actual top) when applying the sealer will prevent the overspray from getting all over your car.
I have attached a decent write up on top care but you can search the internet or ask your local install also if you want. The best points are the care items for longevity of the top.
Enjoy the sun!
CARE OF YOUR CONVERTIBLE TOP
Always Leave a new top and glass or plastic window in the up position for a minimum of 8am to 4pm CST for tops made in PVC Vinyl toppings, and one week for tops made in cloth toppings, after products were installed. As convertible top frames age, links and joints wear and top frames do not have the same alignment as when convertibles were new. Leaving convertible tops and glass windows in the up position after installation allows them time to relax and adjust, or become "seasoned" to the top frame.
Always follow the instructions in your Owner’s Manual for lowering and raising your Top. Always keep the top well area free of objects, especially if a Glass Window is installed with your Top. Even harmless looking objects such as beach towels can cause glass windows to break. Objects in your top well can further cause unnecessary wear and stress on top frames, plus cause damage to your top and to plastic windows as well.
Always Unlatch Top at front before raising your car on a lift or any type of jack, unzipping, or zipping window closed before latching for any convertible Top, Glass or Plastic Window, unless different instructions appear in your owners manual or Robbins brochure.
Always Try and keep your Top, Tonneau Cover, Glass or Plastic Window, etc., clean.
Do not raise or lower convertible tops, glass or plastic window assemblies when the temperature is below 40 degrees (5 degrees Centigrade) since this can cause damage to the topping, plastic windows and other components.
Do not lower your convertible top, glass or plastic window when the top is wet, to avoid discoloration or other damage to the topping or inside backing.
Do not Store away wet top boots or tonneau covers, to avoid discoloration and shrinking that can cause these products to no longer fit.
CLEANING OF OUR PRODUCTS
Glass Windows: Glass Windows should be cleaned with water based glass cleaners only. Please be extremely careful when cleaning Heater/Defroster glass windows not to scratch the defroster lines or to break the power source connector wire. Cleaner should never be allowed to drip into seams or heat seals.
Plastic Windows: Plastic windows in convertible Tops should be cleaned frequently. Be sure to hose or blow off loose dirt particles from surface first, and then use either plain water or mild soap and water solution. Apply with a soft cloth or tissue to gently clean window. Always clean in a side to side or a top to bottom motion, NEVER in a circular motion, (cleaning in a circular motion can damage plastic windows). There are also several good plastic cleaners available such as "Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Formula 17". Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows.
Use of Vinyl Preservatives it is NOT recommend use of penetrating vinyl preservatives, conditioners or dressings on Tops, Tonneau Covers, and other products.
Cleaning Tops, Tonneau Covers and Other Products Made in Cloth or Vinyl Toppings We strongly recommend hand washing convertible tops and other products. Tops and other products made in Vinyl toppings can be cleaned using Vinyl Cleaners which are widely available. While Car Washes generally will not harm convertible Tops made in Cloth or Vinyl Toppings, never allow a car wash to apply spray wax to your convertible Top.
To hand wash products, use a NON detergent or other mild soap safe for convertible tops in a bucket of lukewarm water. In hard water areas add Calgon (not to be confused with dishwasher detergent) or other water softener until the water feels slippery.
ALWAYS Wash Tops, Tonneau Covers, etc. in the shade, never in direct sun.
ALWAYS Wash entire Top, Tonneau Cover, etc. Never spot clean to avoid rings or bright spots.
ALWAYS Wet entire car before washing Top. Use sponge or soft bristle brush to apply suds. Do not use a chamois or cloth since these will leave lint on Cloth Tops.
ALWAYS Rinse well with hose making sure to remove all traces of soap. Wipe off excess water with sponge. Please be careful to hose down entire car to prevent soap from streaking paint.
ALWAYS Install Tonneau Covers and Top Boots after cleaning while still damp to preserve fit and shape.
ALWAYS Try to move Tops into direct sun after cleaning and thorough rinsing to dry. Chamois all excess water off body of car.
DO NOT Use detergents, bleaches, harsh cleansers, cleaners or abrasives.
DO NOT Use detergent based soaps, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.
DO NOT Use hot water.
DO NOT lower down or cover convertible tops when wet or damp. This can lead to mildew growth and in extreme cases can cause discoloration or rotting of toppings can occur.
TIPS FOR CONVERTIBLE OWNERS
Always watch your convertible top (and glass or plastic window) as it is lowered or raised: Watch for any irregular motion, snagging or other problems. If you notice any problems and your convertible is still under new car Warranty, immediately go to your dealer to have your convertible top frame inspected.
If your convertible is out of Warranty, immediately take your convertible to your local automotive Trim and Upholstery shop to have your top frame examined. Whenever any problems are observed when tops are lowered or raised, convertible owners need to quickly respond to have potential problems with top frames repaired before convertible tops, glass or plastic windows, or headliners are damaged.
As convertibles age: When convertibles are out of warranty, top frame, bow links and other frame components no longer have the alignment they did when your convertible was new. Weather seals, top frame pads or straps, side and rear cables, rain rails etc., may need to be replaced to avoid water leakage and damage to tops and glass or plastic window assemblies. Not replacing weather seals can result in wind noise and water leakage when you replace your top. If rust develops on your top frame, have this removed and have your top frame repainted to protect your top frame and convertible top.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
Care of Convertible Tops: Ask for a brochure on you top. This brochure if available may contain information on how products are manufactured, recommendations as to how to clean and care for the products, and information regarding warranty policy.
Ask for your Warranty Card: Most manufacturers pack warranty cards in the box with every product they manufacture. Ask the Automotive Upholstery and Trim Shop which installed your convertible top, glass or plastic window to give you our Warranty Card for your records.
