Hi everyone,

My wife got a Blaze Red Roadster a few weeks ago, it only has 2,500 miles on the clock. The top (or hood as we would call it in the UK) has started to crease badly in the area where it folds to stow away (behind the driver and passenger window). I thought maybe if it got wet and dried out again the marks would go away, but no it hasn't.

Has anyone else got this problem?

If not, I would appreciate everyone posting a pic of their car hood with mileage so I can go to the dealer and say "look all these people don't have a problem)!

I've added an image to let you see what I mean.

Many thanks guys.


Nev

 

 

How long do you leave the top down at a time? If I have it down all day I'll generally put it up at night even if I'm planning on having it down the next day. If you leave it down for several days it will take longer for the folds to disappear but they should disappear with time. Perhaps wet it down and leave it in the sun to dry allowing it to shrink with the heat.

 

here is some additional info on the subject:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ht=creases+top

 

The top is only ever down whilst driving (this IS the UK) we have just been away on hols for 2 weeks before I went away the car was washed and the top not used so the top hasn't been down for nearly 4 weeks now.

 

Boris, greetings from sunny Wiltshire. My top has similar marks, '06 car now with 8k miles. The hood is never up except for washing or when its raining and I do leave it up until dry after washing as suggested.

I'm not sure there is much we can do about it - maybe some sort of stiff brush would help?? Anyone?

Let us know how you get on with your dealer.


Cheers

 

The marks are from having the top down, here are a few good tips to reducing the effect. When washing the car use a good convertible top cleaner and let the top dry in the sun for a few hours if possible. This will tighten the top up a bit, and also vacuum the top storage area, dirt, dust and pollen will get in there and stick in the creases of the top.

 

I drive with my top down more then I do up and while there are creases, they go away after I wash the car and then hand dry the top with a towel (a little rough) which works out most of the creases. I've had my car for 10 months now and do not see creases as a problem. Even my Sebring had some creases but again, its what happens when you have a cloth top that folds.

Now if I had the Solstice, I would see creases as a MAJOR problem! That top looks awful once its been down - someone down the street has one and I'm not impressed.

 

That begs the question - what is the best way to access the compartment?

If you leave the roof half up it screws up the mechanism, doesn't it?
What is the best way to get in there and clean it out?

I'm also thinking about mounting a CD changer behind the passenger seat, so it would be nice to get behind there to bolt it in solid.

 

I've noticed the same issue with my roadster, but interestingly enough, more so on the driver's side. That must be where the motor/hydraulic pump is?

I haven't put the top down wet, but noticed the problem after leaving it down for over a week straight (yes...it's been a great summer here in Mich).

My sister's 99 Miata (no power top) is perfect. Could it be an issue with the power unit compressing the top too tight?

 

I leave the rook half up all the time. Don't know of any other way to clean the compartment or to completely dry all of the parts without stopping the top down process part way.

I know someone else on the forum did this and had a heck of a time getting the top back in place...but I've never had a problem.

As to the subject of this thread, I haven't had any success removing the creases. They appeared after the first time I stored the hood while very slightly damp...and they've been with me ever since. Washes, dries, towel dries, hot sun dries...nothing makes the difference. And I've decided against using anything harsher than a terry cloth towel. No brushes for me.

 

You want the top to be at the point right before the tonneau cover is ready to close, vacuum out the area and also you can get at the inside of the rear window. You have about 15 minutes to complete the cleaning, at this point the top will automatically retract back down, tonneau will close but not lock push the top button and the tonneau will lock. I found this out at a car show recently when I was showing someone how the top retracts, also if you just leave the tonneau cover open it also will close but not lock after 15 minutes or so. Also I do not think there is enough room to put a CD changer in that area.

 

Try using a hair blow dryer. Start off with med. heat. Point the dryer at the crease and smooth it with your other hand. If it doesn't work try switching to high heat. Be careful not to get too close or you may damage the top. The heat will expand the fibers in the top and it should help smooth of the creases.

 

Had my top up for exactly one month straight and just noticed that the side creases have completly disappeared. Problem may have something to do with the stiffness of the top material.

I'll experiment again in April/May 2007 when/if it gets nice here again.

 

This will usually happen when you put your top down before it completely dries after a wash and leave it down for a while.

 

OK stupid question time. is there a way to maybe "steam" these out ?

 

I haven't seen one yet that looked like it was sewn right from the factory. I see **** Norris (local dealer) has some used for sale already. The tops on that car are almost as hideous as the new Nissan 350Z.

 

First, never put the top down wet as it could cause mildew or worse. Let it thoroughly dry after washing or after rain/dew.

Secondly, if you let off the power button the top can be stopped while 1/2 up/down so you can clean in the "boot" area or whatever it's called. It does get dusty in there. Just be careful, there's a lot of sharp edges.

Last. I keep my top down for days, sometimes weeks, at a time. It's garaged with a car cover. It does get slight wrinkles as you described but they seem to relax when the car sits in the sun and the top heats up. Since I bought a convertible to enjoy a convertible, I rarely drive it top up and if the weather is that bad, I take the winter beater.