Convertible roof repair: cleaning, caring for or replacing you car’s hood

With the chimes of Hear Comes The Summer now a distant memory, drivers of soft-top cars should think about convertible roof repair before the winter weather sweeps in.

The life of a fabric or vinyl hood for a convertible, cabriolet or roadster can be greatly extended by cleaning it correctly and then reapplying a waterproofing agent. At the same time, any nicks and tears can be patched up, much like a child’s pair of jeans, and electrical or mechanical problems can be fixed without resorting to a complete replacement of the hood.

But as any owner of a classic car will testify, replacing the roof of a convertible is just as straightforward for a modern car as it is for a cherished classic. There are a good number of convertible hood specialists around Britain, not to mention the car manufacturer’s main dealers.

So if your convertible car’s roof needs some care, follow this guide to keeping it in tip-top condition.

Convertible roof repair: Cleaning can make it look like new

Country folk and farmers spend hours toiling away at their Barbour jacket, heating wax on an Aga and spreading it over their coat like butter over toast. It reproofs the fabric, keeping water out and preventing the fabric from the effects of getting wet then drying out, which cause wear and tear over time. You can do exactly the same for the roof of a convertible car.

There is a wide range of cleaning agents specifically designed to clean the fabric roof of a convertible, and proofing agents that will restore the waterproof protection and guard against damage from the sun, tree sap and bird droppings. Halfords, Amazon, eBay and most car care stores will stock a range of suitable products.

Try AutoGlym’s Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect Complete Kit. It costs £22.99, and includes a 500ml spray bottle of Soft Top Cleaner, and a 500ml bottle of Soft Top Protector, as well as a special sponge that agitates the dirt out of the fabric. Having tried it before, on a three year-old Mini Convertible, I can vouch for it being easy to use, highly effective, and can be done at the same time as washing the car.

Another reputable brand is Renovo. It offers a wide range of products, including colour-coded ‘revivers’ that clean dirt away while restoring the colour of an old hood. Auto Expresss rated Renovo’s products highly in a comparison of 11 different hood cleaners. Renovo offers a special polish for older cars with plastic rear windows.

Convertible roof repair: Stop the leak – with a repair patch

Much like repairing a punctured bicycle tyre inner tube, you can patch up a convertible hood that has a small snag or tear in the fabric or vinyl. Stormsure is one such manufacturer of DIY kits. It specialises in repair kits for diving suits and inflatable boats, but also offers a convertible roof repair kit for just £5.99.

However, a note of caution: you need to glue the tear from the underside of the hood. And that isn’t as straightforward as it sounds with the multi-layer hoods on modern convertibles. For that reason, it is probably a lot easier to leave such repairs to specialists.

Gary Endall, of The Hood Guys, a car roof repair and replacement company in Birmingham with nearly 30 years of experience, can provide a repair for approximately £36 to £48. But he stresses that buyers mustn’t expect it to be invisible to the eye: “They’re serviceable, but can’t ever be perfect cosmetically or restore the car to original condition,” says Endall.

Convertible roof repair: Replacing the plastic rear screen

If the plastic rear screen of your convertible car can’t be polished back to good condition, or has become so worn it’s split, then replace it. One of the most popular soft-top cars in the UK is the Mazda MX-5. A replacement plastic panel costs £90, plus an optional £35 for fitting if required, from MX5 City.

Convertible roof repair: Electrical or mechanical faults

You don’t have to use a main franchised dealer to have any electrical or mechanical fault fixed on a convertible car. There are many specialists around Britain, who have experience of the common faults that afflict the motors and moving of a hood. So call around and compare the diagnosis fee for both franchised and independent specialists.

Convertible roof repair: Replacing the roof

If the roof of your convertible car is beyond repair, fear not: there is no shortage of roof replacement specialists. Shop around, check what guarantee is offered and also compare quotes with franchised dealers. Doing the latter may be an eye-opener. For example, Car Hood Warehouse offers a replacement mohair hood for a Mini Convertible (post 2009) for £895, fully fitted and with a year’s guarantee. Cooper Mini, a dealer in Tonbridge, Kent, quoted £2000 for roof replacement.

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