Our Craftsman average over 20 years experience in the industry, including experience in such areas as classic car restoration, custom upholstery, convertible mechanics, headliners.
Not only can we replace your top or rear curtains - the soft stuff, but here at Merrillville Auto Glass & Restyling, we can repair the hard mechanicals of your convertible top.
When your convertible top is replaced, it is necessary to have a "break-in" period for your new top. We usually recommend a break-in period of one to two weeks.
A break in period is required for two reasons. Once installed on the car , convertible top materials stretches. Depending on the time of the year, this stretching process takes one to two weeks. once the top stretches out it should have a nice tight look. For best results it is important for the stretch process to happen without interruption.
Second, as the top stretches out in some places, it will tighten up in others. As the top changes, so will positions of the frame, pads, and seals.
This"settling -in" process will affect things's like effort to close the top, wind noise, and weather tightness. Generally all these things will improve as the top settles in place.
Once the break in period is over, we invite our customers back so we can perform the first fold down of the new top. The first fold down sets "memory" in the top material - the top will tend to fold down the rest of its life as it was folded down the first time. We like to make folds straight and neat, and minimize there number. Certain tops need to be specially folded to avoid developing wear spots and holes. As we do this together, the customer is able to verify that their top is working up and down properly.
As a 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 instruction in you Owner's Manual for lowering and raising of your Top. Always keep well free of objects -a harmless item such as beach towels can cause glass windows to break.
The average top last around 7-10 years- depending on where you live and how it is taken care of..