Taking Care of Your Soft Top Without Ruining It

This is Australia, mate. If you try to do this in the direct sun, your cleaner will dry in seconds and leave nasty streaks. Find a carport or wait for the arvo.

Use your lint roller and a dry, soft brush to get as much loose dust and 'flora' off as possible. If you've been out near the red dirt, this is crucial so you don't turn it into mud.

Cover your rubber seals and the top of the windows. Fabric cleaners can sometimes dry out the rubber if you're not careful.

Every convertible has drainage channels. Make sure they aren't blocked with leaves. Pour a bit of water down and make sure it comes out under the car.

Get the car clean first so you aren't splashing dirt onto your freshly cleaned roof later.

Use a low-pressure hose. You want the fabric saturated but not drowning. This opens up the weave.

Spray your fabric cleaner evenly across the whole roof. Work in sections, usually quarters works best.

Use your horsehair brush in small, circular motions. Don't scrub like you're trying to get a stain out of a rug; just enough to see the foam turning grey or brown. That's the dirt coming out.

Be extra gentle around the seams. On older cars, the thread can get brittle and you don't want to snap it.

Let the cleaner sit for 5-10 minutes, but don't let it dry. If it starts to dry, mist it with a bit more water.

Rinse from the top down. You'll see heaps of dirty suds. Keep going until the water runs clear. Honestly, this usually takes longer than you think.

If you have a wet/dry vac, use the upholstery tool to suck the water out of the fabric. This pulls the deep-seated dirt out that rinsing alone can't reach. I do this on every job, it's a game changer.

If the roof was filthy (like that MX-5 I mentioned), do it again. You can't protect a roof that isn't 100% clean.

Pat the roof dry with clean microfibres. Don't rub. Now, you need to let it dry completely. And I mean bone-dry. Usually, this means leaving it overnight in the garage.

Once dry, use your plastic sheets to cover every bit of paint and glass. The waterproofing spray is a nightmare to get off if it dries on your windscreen.

Spray your protectant (like 303 Fabric Guard) in thin, even overlapping passes. Horizontal then vertical.

Wait about 20 minutes and apply a second coat. Focus on the seams where leaks usually start.

If any beads of protectant are sitting on the surface, lightly pat them with a microfibre so they soak in.

This is the hardest part. Leave it for 24 hours. Don't fold the roof down and don't let it get rained on. If it's a humid Aussie arvo, give it even longer.

Once cured, pour a little water on. It should bead up and roll off like water off a duck's back. If it soaks in, you missed a spot.